There are 2 KIS campuses…one is in Pangyo as mentioned and the other on Jeju (an island off the south coast of the Korean peninsula). Very different in terms of environment - urban vs rural. Both have a decent reputation with the Jeju school being much newer, currently finishing up year 3.

All three schools are neighbors and are part of the larger Global Education City. The area is to be developed further to include more schools in the future as well as a college campus at some point.

Seogwipo is about 20 minutes away (not 2 hours) and the "city" Jeju-si is about 30 minutes away.

Unfortunately if you are looking to get away from the cold (I'm totally with you on that), Seoul is not a great choice. Winters are similar temperature-wise to New England but on a positive note, there is less snow.

As far as things to do, there are museums and performances and while it is a huge city, it is not overwhelming in terms of getting to places you want to go. I visited most of the big to-do sites and enjoyed wandering along the Han or exploring interesting neighborhoods. There was enough to keep me occupied especially when I included a few hiking adventures in and around the city.

I lived there for a year and I liked it. I didn't love it. I don't think it is the greatest location for a woman of your (our) age/status, nor is it the worst. It is a very safe place to live. I never felt afraid or uneasy in the entire time I lived there. I was never out late at night but knew younger women who were and they felt the same way about the safety of the city/buses/subways etc.

It is a decent place to start out as far as international teaching goes.

"Best school" depends on what criteria you are looking at. Seoul Foreign has one of the best reputations but the religious thing is big. I don't know any specifics about APIS but there is a religious side to this school as well.

I know a bit about the schools on Jeju if they are of interest to you.

As far as living in Seoul, it depends what you are looking for.

It is an easy city to get around with great and inexpensive transportation. There are also announcements and signs in English throughout the city both on the highways and in the public transit.

The weather is similar to the northern parts of the States with cold winters and hot summers. There are opportunities for hiking just a subway ride away and the airport is awesome.

There are a lot of clubs if you are young and into that and there are many military and recent college grad/esl teachers that seem to dominate that scene.

These are the first things that come to mind when I think about my time living in Seoul. It is not a bad place to live but I think a lot of it depends on your situation including your age and whether you have a spouse/kids etc. Happy to answer more specific questions if you post them.

Which KIS campus are you asking about? There is one that is very close to Seoul and another on Jeju, an island off the south coast of the peninsula. They are very different to describe owing to their locations. Also Jeju is only 3 years old while the Pangyo campus has been around for awhile.

Jeju is currently grades 1-10 with 11th being added next year. Still a new school and figuring things out but on the right track. It is located in the Global Education City which includes 2 other international schools. Lots of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and surfing. Work/life balance is reasonable.

Both schools are primarily Korean students although many of the Pangyo kids have foreign passports. The Jeju campus allows Korean nationals. Both are connected to YBM and are for profit.

I hope you are right. I came away from Boston with nothing. I have over a decade of experience but my field is not nearly as in demand as math. I am still sending out my cv but it is getting a bit depressing...

Congrats on your landing a great job and thanks for your positive sentiments towards those of us still searching!

So I got up early this a.m. and headed off to Staples. Got my resumes printed off and then used the rest of the morning to shop and get my hair done.

So far, things are fine here in Cambridge. The impending blizzard is going to have some negative implications for those not staying at the hotel. The transit system is closing at 3:30 and tonight at the informational meeting, there was a movement afoot to link up those with extra space/beds in their hotel rooms with those who might need to stay here. The hotel hs already put their emergency plans on paper and slipped them under our doors. If they don't lose power here, they will do a lot of restaurant and convenience store business with everyone stuck here for the duration...

I arrived to find 3 messages in my mailbox. Two were from schools that had already contacted me and one new one. None of them are even close to being at the top of my list but at this point, it's comforting to know that there are at least a few options. I left notes in about 10 mailboxes and I will cross my fingers that one of them will pan out. I am trying to stay positive.

There were many people at the info mtg. that raised their hands as "first-timers." The woman next to me (at her 4th fair with years of intl. experience) commented on how young everyone was. She looked to be in her late 30s/early 40s. I had been thinking the very same thing (in my late 40s).

That's all for now...

Can anyone weigh in on the Pretoria campus? What might be the positives or negatives of a job at that campus?

Thanks for your insight everyone. I unfortunately don't have any options for printing where I am currently located. My school is very rural and I don't really know anyone to assist me with this.

I am however from Massachusetts and familiar and comfortable with Boston, the "T" and the weather in February. I am going to head out early Thursday morning to get my printing taken care of. The stress of that will take my mind off the stress of having to interview!

Finding out I could go to the fair at the last minute has been both a blessing and a curse.

I will try to return the favor of posting my experiences while there...

I understand the importance of being professionally attired for Friday and Saturday (and possibly Sunday) for the interview sign up and the actual interviews, but what is the consensus on Thursday when it is check-in and attending the Search Informational meeting? Are people in suits and dresses for Thursdays activities? Obviously I won't be dressed waaay down but what do folks normally do? Trying to figure out what to pack obviously...

Also, my plan was to print my resumes once I arrive. I have all day Thursday and thought I would go to a Kinkos or the like rather than bring a stack with me (plus I'm not sure where to get them printed in my current location). Any thoughts opinions on this idea?


Thanks for all of the advice everyone has already provided BTW. It has helped immensely in wrapping my head around this whole job fair thing. I know I am still in for a shock but I feel better prepared for having read everyone's advice and reports from the field.

LOL Amy, you might want to check out the typo from your earlier post...you definitely do not want a "pubic" portfolio!

After living in Korea for a year, for me, shoes are the biggest issue. I wear a women's size 10 and never found any shoes sized 10. I bought a pair of mens flip flops out of desperation once after the sandals I was wearing broke. This was at a major department store and no one inthe varrious shoe departments had anything although they did offer to order something in my size.

Most everything else can be found in Korea when it comes to food, beauty supplies etc. although it will cost you. Deodorant is much cheaper in the states and doesn't take up much room in a box or suitcase.

Bring what you want for making your living quarters a home. Favorite kitchen items is also a good suggestion...

Thanks for the humorous responses. I laughed almost as hard at the comments by Mr. Cake and Dando as I did on the Captain Underpants thread.

Psy Guy,

I am clear on the supply/demand side of teaching.

I would, however, never say "you are just a (fill in the blank)" to anyone as it is incredibly rude and demeaning.

I wasn't challenging your extensive knowledge of everything pertaining to every international school in the whole world, I was calling you out for being rude.

I think saying you're "just an elementary school teacher" is just plain rude. Maybe you should choose your words a bit more carefully...and maybe knowing whether you should use you're when you're trying to say you are is something that you should review. This is an important grammatical distinction taught by fine men and women who are "just elementary school teachers."