Teach with EPIK in Gangwon-do

Jobs in South Korea

If you want us to help you find a job in South Korea, please email a copy of your resume along with a recent photo to:

Please be sure to include: date of birth, education summary, preferred student age and location, availability and contact details.

South Korea links

Chul Ree Kil Do Han Kuhrum Boo Ta!

Gangwon-do is a bewitching region of mesmeric natural beauty. With 82 % mountainous coverage, 212 kilometers of coastline, and a clutch of national parks, Gangwon-do incarnates an epic and mystical spirit. Geographically, it meets the sea to the east, faces Seoul to the west, northwards is the DMZ and North Korea's sister province Kangwon, while Gyeongsangbuk-do and Chungcheonbuk-do lie due south and southwest.

The province is dominated by the massive Taebaek mountain range, backbone of the Korean peninsula, which soars through the region, brushing against ocean and sky, and carving out steep, dramatic coastlines. Dine at secluded beach side restaurants serving five-star sashmi (raw fish) and mae eun tang (seafood soup). Wander through Seoraksan national park, arguably the most beloved area of all Korea. through valleys thick with fir-trees and echoes of towering waterfalls that thunder from the mountain's craggy peaks.

Soak up blossoming cities like Wonju, Chuncheon, and Gangneung where gracious locals go out of their way to welcome and inspire. Live Gangwon-do where, to quote a famous Korean proverb, "Chul Ree Kil Do Han Kuhrum Boo Ta", "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!"

Asian baby in a picnic basket

Regional Highlights

Mount Seoraksan

Known as The Alps of Asia, Mount Seoraksan is Korea's most popular national park, an area of breathtaking national beauty that boasts dense forests, granite peaks, spectacular waterfalls and sparkling streams. The Daechongbong Peak of Seoraksan reaches a dizzying 1,708 meters (5,603 feet). Needless to say this is an excellent area for hiking. If energy levels are low, it is also possible to take a mildly alarming cable car ride looking down over the giant Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa, a cluster of Buddhist temples and beyond out to sea over Sokcho. Hiking the entire mountain takes around 16 hours depending on how fit you are and simple, traditional overnight accommodation halfway up is possible.

Oriental blind

Skiing

Gangwon-do is serious skiing territory and home to some world class ski resorts. The province has been appointed host for the 2009 Ski Jump Grand Prix World Cup by the International Ski Federation and is also in the running to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Add to this the FIS World Snowboarding Championship, IBU Pyeongchang World Biathlon Championship, and Gangneung World Women's Curling Championship and it isn't hard to see why Gangwon-do is wintersports heaven. Ski season starts mid-November and local highlights include Vivaldi Park, open 24 hours and incorporating Ocean World, Yongpyong Resort, 700 meters above sea level and with extensive facilities from beginner to expert, and Phoenix Park, the real deal for hardcore snowboarders.

Snowboarding jump

Beaches

One of Gangwon-do's most famous and largest beaches is Gyeongpo in Gangneung, 240 kilometers from Seoul. This beach is unusual in that it sits right next to a lake. Legend has it that one can see the moon five times from Gyeongpo, in the sky, in the sea, in the lake, in the drinking glass, and in the eyes of a lover! The white sands stretch 1.8 kilometers and fall back onto abundant pine forest. Seafood restaurants serving fresh sashimi and soju line the shore and there is a good selection of hotels and motels to suit every budget.

Beach food

Major Cities

Chuncheon - provincial capital (pop. 260,000)
Donghae (pop. 105,000)
Gangneung (pop. 230,000)
Samcheok (pop. 75,000)
Sokcho (pop. 90,000)
Taebaek (50,000)
Wonju (300,000)
Gangwon-do total population 1,600,000

Climate

Gangwon-do experiences four distinct seasons. Winters are cold with high quantities of snow making for spectacular snowscapes in the mountains. Spring, heralded by the arrival of pink blossom, is generally mild and pleasant. Summer, where temperatures often hit the late 20s, is hot, sticky, and extremely humid. Finally there is fall, the shortest of the four seasons, and typified by clear blue skies and crimson red leaves.

Festivals

Big nosed cow

International Mime Festival (May)
Gangneung Dano Festival (May 5th)
Donghae Squid Festival (Late August / early September)
Samcheok Beach Festival (Late July)
Hongcheon Chaloksusu (Waxy Corn) Festival (Early August)
Wonju Tattoo (Mid-October)
Heonseong Hanu (Korean Beef) Festival (Late September)
Taebaek Snow Festival (Mid - late January)
Icefish Festival (Late January / early February)

At a glance

Nature

Buddhist temple in Korea

Mt. Chiaksan National Park
Mt. Seoraksan National Park
Odae National Park
Taebaek Provincial Park
Samcheok Beach
Jeungsan Beach
Hajodae Beach
Cheongol Natural Cave
Yongyeon Cave

Days out

Kangwon Land Casino
Auraji Resort
Haesindang Park
Hoengseong Hot Springs

Skiing

Yongpyong Resort
Vivaldi Park
Oak Valley
Phoenix Park
Hyundai Sungwoo Resort

Watch videos about life in Korea

Disclaimer: While Patrick was not placed in South Korea by our company, we did ask for and receive his permission to post his videos on our website for the benefit of those seeking to come to Korea. The posting of his videos here is not an endorsement by him for our company. And while Patrick strongly recommends teaching with EPIK, he does not necessarily recommend our company over others available. Additionally, it is important to note that everyone who comes to Korea has their own individual experience. Please keep in mind that these videos are Patrick's personal experiences and are in no way a guarantee of what other teachers can expect (in terms of apartments, schools, co-teachers, etc.).

Patrick's youtube page with nearly 100 videos from his time in South Korea is available here: http://www.youtube.com/prcrossman. If you like his videos and find them helpful and interesting, please let him know by leaving comments on them!

Teacher stories

Been there done it! Here are some comments from teachers who are actually working in the EPIK program in Gangwon-do.

"The most rewarding part about working for Epik in Gangwon-do is that it allows you to work with students who don't receive much English education. The students have only basic English instruction once or twice a week and may have only had minor contact with foreigners in the past. The result is that when the students do have a foreign teacher they are more motivated to learn in class and this in turn makes teaching them an absolute joy. As for life in Gangwon-do; it is a lot like living as a rock star. Everyone in town will know who you are and are willing to help you with anything you need. This combined with the country atmosphere makes the quiet weekdays a pleasant mix of hometown comfort and simple living. If excitement is what you need on the weekends, major cities like Sokcho, Chuncheon, and Seoul are all within a 2 hour bus ride. The best part though is that by not living in the city the opportunities to learn more about Korean culture/language are much greater. There will be no shortage of Korean teachers looking to take you out for a drink and teach you a thing or two about the culture, enriching the experience of living abroad. Overall the experience is rewarding both existentially and professionally, and thus worth looking into; especially if the bustle of city life isn't quite your cup of tea."

Bryan LeGrand, Inje

"Yeongwol is a small town in Kangwondo, the northernmost (and arguably most beautiful) Province in South Korea. In stark contrast to Seoul, Yeongwol is a laid back place where people have more than enough time to chat with you on the street, in a cafe, over dinner, or in a bar. If you enjoy adventure sports,Yeongwol is ideally situated next to paragliding, rock climbing, hiking and ski/snowboard facilities. As Yeongwol is located in the middle of the country, it is also a convenient base from which to travel to all of South Korea's popular attractions. Although Yeongwol offers very limited nightlife, Seoul or Gangneung are easily accessible if you are in a party mood. Local people are friendly and they will regularly insist on buying you a wonderful dinner, relishing the chance to practice their English. Regarding teaching and accommodation this really does seem to vary from placement to placement. I have a very nice apartment but live 30 minutes walk from town. Other foreign teachers live in a more central location but stay in a smaller apartment. I teach at an all boy' middle school where the teachers and students are all very friendly. I teach 16 classes a week and have plenty of time to make lesson plans. Most of my classes are mixed ability which makes every lesson a challenge. Coming from a Western educational background I am at times surprised by the Korean approach to education (tests are EVERYWHERE!), but like most cultural differences here, this becomes a source of mutual bemusement. You will find an adventure wherever you go to in South Korea. Everywhere will have its pro's and con's. If you enjoy a laid back atmosphere and friendly people then Yeongwol could be the place for you!"

Steven Bryant, Yeongwol

I came to Korea with my family in tow and when we first arrived in Gangwon-do we were struck by its beauty: mountains, oceans, lakes and rivers. Gangwon-do has it all! Each day I walk to work with a beautiful sunrise on one side and a mountain on the other. But a beautiful country is nothing if daily life is unbearable. Thankfully, I couldn't ask for a better situation! All of our needs, and even many of our wants, have been more than met. My school is great, my co-teacher amazing, the students eager to learn, the people in the city wonderful and willing to help whenever possible, our apartment perfect, and I have nothing to complain about. I am well taken care of. There are many EPIK social gatherings and many things to do and see both on your own, with the Korean people, and with the other native speaking teachers. We have truly been blessed by our time here, working through EPIK and in Gangwon-do.

Sarah Moore, Chuncheon.

Want to apply?

We are now accepting applications for EPIK positions in Gangwon-do starting in February 2009. For more information, email us at: