Strolling Sojourner

Taehwagang Grand Park, Ulsan, Korea

I know, I know. The time might not add up if you've been reading from the beginning of my journey. This 6 months mark is actually from the time I started at my current school. Complications at my previous workplace occurred and I found a new place to work at, but more on that later. 

This post is also to commemorate my return to blogging. As my time in Korea continues to shorten, I've realized how lazy I've gotten about documenting them. I want to have a place to come back later to reminiscent all the fond and unforgettable adventures I've been able to experience. 

First of all, here is a little introduction of where I am now located at.

Buldang, Cheonan, Korea

Cheonan is known as the "core city of the nation" as it is a major transportation hub with its accessibility to the rest of the Korea. For a sense of relativity, it only takes an hour from the city to Seoul by driving or 40 minutes on the KTX and it's even connected by the Seoul subway system. The city didn't start to flourish until the the late 90's, and even up to this date it continues to develop. New apartments and commercial buildings are constantly springing up especially the area I work and live in. Cheonan has also been designated the high headquarters for Korea, with both Samsung and LG Group having operations in the city. Though it might lack in population, Cheonan does not lack in the number of young people, as it is surrounded by a dozen or so colleges and universities. There are a lot of potentials to this city, though I will probably not be able to experience due to the length of my work contract. A little piece of fun fact is that this is where a prison exclusively for foreigners are located.

So what are some changes that has happened since I moved?

1. Because of the proximity of Cheonan to Seoul, I've been going up to Seoul a lot more. This also means I'm spending a lot more money than before. Wondering why I'm up in Seoul so often? That's because there isn't much to do in the city itself. Sure, it has all that's needed, but the so-called "downtown" area is so small I'm finished with it in a couple of hours. Though a new one being developed and it will definitely give people more reasons to visit and move here.

2. The small size and late development of Cheonan has made it harder for me to meet new friends. The foreigner community is relatively small and sparsed all over. Though that might also have been because of my introverted personality. However, as this city continues to development, more families have been moving in. This means more hagwons are being built and more native teachers are needed. So I'm beginning to see more and more foreigners in my neighbourhood.

3. There were less traveling during the first few months I moved because of my work schedule and how much further the airport is now. Previously in Ulsan, Gimhae Airport was only around a 1.5 hour bus ride, but to get to Incheon Airport, it is almost a 3 hour journey (though if I depart from Gimpo Airport, I can cut down the travel time by 1 hour). Also, I start a lot earlier in Cheonan than in Ulsan, so there are a lot of flights that I cannot take because otherwise I would not be able to get to work on time. However, I get a lot more holidays at my new work place so this situation will soon change.

4. As for work changes, there are more work that I have to do at home for the school now. Homework have to be marked and monthly report cards have to be written. Which isn't too bad if things finally settle, but since I'm at a very new school, we're still understaffed so more burden is put on few shoulders. I have found myself at times really stressed out. I'm hoping this situation will change for the better soon as we hire more teachers.

In any way, I may sound like I'm complaining a lot. But I feel like I just had a lot of expectations when I first embarked on this journey and the reality just doesn't quite meet. I have, however, learned many things and I do not regret any of this. To think from another perspective, things can only get better from here and there are just more in the future to look forward to.