South Korea map & where I've lived within
I thought I’d post a map of South Korea to show those unfamiliar with the country where I live and have lived within the country in relation to the rest of the country.
I’ve spent my entire time in the country in the Jeolla provinces in the southwestern corner of the Korean peninsula. Jeolla is known throughout South Korea for its fine cuisine and its folksy, hardbitten, strong-minded locals. Indeed, the Jeolla provinces have traditionally been the dumping ground of exiled activists and convicts during the Joseon dynasty and the source of several uprisings – probably why I have such an affinity with the place being Australian and all. Most notably in recent history was the brutal crackdown under dictator Chun Doo-hwan during the Gwangju Democratisation Movement in 1980.
I spent my first year in Korea in the pleasant, historical city of Jeonju, capital of Jeollabuk-do (or North Jeolla province). After which, I spent six months in the city of Gwangju, my stay was cut short by the closing of my English academy there. Then, I decided that since I already live in the south, I may as well move to the Deep South and ended up in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do. I have been here for three years and counting since.
I spent my first four years in Korea teaching at the dreaded English after-school academies or hagwons (학원) as they’re known here. I have since ‘moved up’ in the world and am currently working as a part of the local Government’s Lifelong Learning English program teaching English to individuals of varying ages and abilities.
All in all, life is quite good at the moment I guess, and so I choose to stay.
