South Korea and more importantly Suwon is mentioned in two articles that are on the New Zealand News website 'Stuff' today.
The first one is about Internet/technology addiction in children - as a teacher I see this all the time. If the kids have any kind of break most of them pull out their phones, you try and talk to them but they are too busy playing games. The article mentions a Suwon elementary school that has a policy where they take the phones at the beginning of the day and return them when the kids are ready to leave.
Article: South Korea to stem digital addiction from age 3
The second article is about the toilet museum in Suwon, one of the many fabulous attractions of our fair city. I have not been yet but it's on my 'To-do' list.
Article: Toilet park flush with success
Formerly 'Kiwigirl in Suwon, South Korea'
Showing posts with label Suwon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suwon. Show all posts
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
More Whittaker's Chocolate in Korea
I did a post earlier this month about finding some blocks of Whittaker's Chocolate in the Galleria Department Store in Ingye-Dong Suwon.
Just a quick update to say that they have two more new flavours available - Berry & Biscuit and Dark Almond.
It's still expensive at 11,000 won for a block, but sometimes you are willing to pay that extra for a bit of home. I took some into work and it went down really well.
Just a quick update to say that they have two more new flavours available - Berry & Biscuit and Dark Almond.
It's still expensive at 11,000 won for a block, but sometimes you are willing to pay that extra for a bit of home. I took some into work and it went down really well.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Whittaker's Chocolate in Korea
I have heard that Whittaker's chocolate sometimes appears in random shops here in Korea, someone I was talking to said they found some in Paris Baguette once for example. I have been here about 19 months now and have never seen it - until now.
I just happened to be wandering around the small grocery shop in the bottom of the Galleria in Ingye-dong today. I don't really shop there as its a bit more expensive and the selection is smaller than the nearby Homeplus so I don't usually bother. I was down there to get some fast food - the American chain 'Popeyes' has a branch in the food court there. I thought I would have a look around while I was there and see what they had, sometimes they have things that you can't get at the bigger supermarket chains.
So this is where I found some Whittaker's chocolate - they have three of the 250g slabs available - Fruit & Nut, Creamy Milk and Almond Gold. The kicker is that unless you are really craving it or are a die hard fan you probably won't want to pay the price. One slab cost 11,000 won, they didn't have a price on them so I didn't find this out until I got to the counter. I thought it would be a nice gift to take in to work after the holiday - I hope they appreciate it.
I just happened to be wandering around the small grocery shop in the bottom of the Galleria in Ingye-dong today. I don't really shop there as its a bit more expensive and the selection is smaller than the nearby Homeplus so I don't usually bother. I was down there to get some fast food - the American chain 'Popeyes' has a branch in the food court there. I thought I would have a look around while I was there and see what they had, sometimes they have things that you can't get at the bigger supermarket chains.
So this is where I found some Whittaker's chocolate - they have three of the 250g slabs available - Fruit & Nut, Creamy Milk and Almond Gold. The kicker is that unless you are really craving it or are a die hard fan you probably won't want to pay the price. One slab cost 11,000 won, they didn't have a price on them so I didn't find this out until I got to the counter. I thought it would be a nice gift to take in to work after the holiday - I hope they appreciate it.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Seoul Metropolitan Subway
The Seoul Subway system is one of the best and busiest in the world. It consists of 16 lines and around 546 stations.
Just looking at the subway system map can make it seem daunting but in fact it is relatively easy to navigate. Lucky for us most of the signs are in both Korean and English and the pre-recorded Subway Station announcements that tell you the station, any transfers and which side to exit are all followed after the Korean by the English translation.
The subway connects almost all destinations of Central and Greater Seoul and due to heavy traffic on the roads it can often times make travel faster.
The cost is minimal, around 1000-2000 won and you can buy your ticket at the stations using the ticket machines (which have English). You can also purchase a rechargeable transport card such as T-Money - these have the added bonus of being able to be used on the buses and some taxis and they also offer a small discount on ticket prices.
The metro stations are one of the best landmarks for navigation in Seoul. You will find that if meeting someone it is easiest to arrange a meeting at one of the stations as you can designate the number exit to ensure that you are both in the same place.
Just looking at the subway system map can make it seem daunting but in fact it is relatively easy to navigate. Lucky for us most of the signs are in both Korean and English and the pre-recorded Subway Station announcements that tell you the station, any transfers and which side to exit are all followed after the Korean by the English translation.
The subway connects almost all destinations of Central and Greater Seoul and due to heavy traffic on the roads it can often times make travel faster.
The cost is minimal, around 1000-2000 won and you can buy your ticket at the stations using the ticket machines (which have English). You can also purchase a rechargeable transport card such as T-Money - these have the added bonus of being able to be used on the buses and some taxis and they also offer a small discount on ticket prices.
The metro stations are one of the best landmarks for navigation in Seoul. You will find that if meeting someone it is easiest to arrange a meeting at one of the stations as you can designate the number exit to ensure that you are both in the same place.
There are a few websites that you can use to plot your journey, they usually will tell you the fastest way or the way with the least amount of transfers. There are also some smart phone apps that you can use that do the same thing.
Websites
Apps
Jihachul - Apple and Samsung
Seoul City Metro (Lite version for free, Pro version costs) - Apple
Korea, Seoul Metro Navi - Samsung
Suwon
Suwon is on the Dark Blue - Number 1 line. There are four stations that service the Suwon area - they are Sungkyunkwan University Station, Hwaseo Station, Suwon Station and Seryu Station.
Suwon Station is the main subway station for Suwon, the station itself shares the building with AK plaza which is a large shopping mall. There are many shops and restaurants both in and around the station and there are buses and taxis available right outside the station if you need them.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Welcome to my Neighborhood - Ingye-dong, Suwon
A short video I took on my new smartphone, it's the first time I used it so its not that great. I had the phone up the wrong way. I think it would be better on it's side next time.
Anyway this is my neighborhood, just after my apartment building and walking along the street for a little way. You can see the big Cinepark building toward the end of the video, it's a big building that houses lots of shops and restaurants along with a cinema.
Also at the very end you can see a great example of 'couple culture'. Korea is very focused on couples, they like to advertise the fact that they are in a relationship. This can be something simple like having the same phone or things like having matching phone charms or other accessories. Or you can get the 'Couple T'shirts' like in this video, the couple at the very end are wearing matching T's.
Only in Korea!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Suwon Immigration Office (Gyeonggi-do)
The Suwon Immigration Office in Gyeonggi-do covers the areas of:
Gunpo, Uiwang, Suwon, Yongin, Osan, Icheon, Anseong, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Gwangju, Yangpyeonggun, Yeojugun
If you are a resident in one of these areas then this is the immigration office that you will need to visit.
The Address of Suwon Immigration Office is:
1012-6, Yeong-tong dong, Yeong-tong gu, Suwon
Directions to Suwon Immigration Office:
The Suwon Immigration is located beside Bandal Park in Yeong-tong. Please note it is nowhere near any of the train stations so if you get the subway in you will need to get a bus over to Yeong-tong from the station.
From Suwon station (outside AK Plaza go to the bus stop on the right as you come out of the station) take bus 5, 7, 7-2, 9, 310 or 900. Get off at 'Yeongiljung' (about 12 stops or so) start walking in the direction of the bus that you just got off for a couple of minutes and you will see Yeong-il Middle School (its a really big school so you can't miss it). Walk in the direction so that you go around the back of the school. The immigration office is to the left of the Culture Centre(?) beside Bandal Park.
Further Information:
If you need any information about documents, visas or directions you should call 1345, This is the Immigration office helpline for all immigration offices in Korea and they have various languages available.
Process once you are at the Immigration Office:
(For re-newing your E-2 Visa)
1. Go to the 'Resident' Section of the first floor (its the biggest area)
2. As soon as you arrive, get a queue number (ticket) from the dispenser
3. Get an application form if you don't already have one, at the top tick 'Extension of Sojourn Period', and fill it out while you are waiting
4. Buy your 'Revenue Stamps', they cost 10,000KRW per stamp and you will need three (this is why you have to bring 30,000KRW with you). At Suwon Immigration Office you can buy them from the small desk located behind the waiting area for the 'Resident' section.
5. When you ticket number finally comes up on the TV screen go to the desk that is showing your number and present all of your documentation.
Note: You will most probably need a copy of your school’s business registration ID number. It will be a copy of a form in Korean that your school should provide you with. This is what my school did not give me the first time around, they then gave me two pieces of paper. Not sure what they were exactly as it was all in Korean but this is why its a good idea to make sure you or your manager rings the hot line number 1345 to ensure that you have everything before you go.
Further Note: Take a book with you - I made a decent start on 'The Girl who Played with Fire' during my wait.
Gunpo, Uiwang, Suwon, Yongin, Osan, Icheon, Anseong, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Gwangju, Yangpyeonggun, Yeojugun
If you are a resident in one of these areas then this is the immigration office that you will need to visit.
The Address of Suwon Immigration Office is:
1012-6, Yeong-tong dong, Yeong-tong gu, Suwon
(in front of Bandal Park and next to the Yeongtong Social Welfare Center)
Directions to Suwon Immigration Office:
The Suwon Immigration is located beside Bandal Park in Yeong-tong. Please note it is nowhere near any of the train stations so if you get the subway in you will need to get a bus over to Yeong-tong from the station.
From Suwon station (outside AK Plaza go to the bus stop on the right as you come out of the station) take bus 5, 7, 7-2, 9, 310 or 900. Get off at 'Yeongiljung' (about 12 stops or so) start walking in the direction of the bus that you just got off for a couple of minutes and you will see Yeong-il Middle School (its a really big school so you can't miss it). Walk in the direction so that you go around the back of the school. The immigration office is to the left of the Culture Centre(?) beside Bandal Park.
 |
| Suwon Immigration Office |
Further Information:
If you need any information about documents, visas or directions you should call 1345, This is the Immigration office helpline for all immigration offices in Korea and they have various languages available.
Process once you are at the Immigration Office:
(For re-newing your E-2 Visa)
1. Go to the 'Resident' Section of the first floor (its the biggest area)
2. As soon as you arrive, get a queue number (ticket) from the dispenser
3. Get an application form if you don't already have one, at the top tick 'Extension of Sojourn Period', and fill it out while you are waiting
4. Buy your 'Revenue Stamps', they cost 10,000KRW per stamp and you will need three (this is why you have to bring 30,000KRW with you). At Suwon Immigration Office you can buy them from the small desk located behind the waiting area for the 'Resident' section.
5. When you ticket number finally comes up on the TV screen go to the desk that is showing your number and present all of your documentation.
Note: You will most probably need a copy of your school’s business registration ID number. It will be a copy of a form in Korean that your school should provide you with. This is what my school did not give me the first time around, they then gave me two pieces of paper. Not sure what they were exactly as it was all in Korean but this is why its a good idea to make sure you or your manager rings the hot line number 1345 to ensure that you have everything before you go.
Further Note: Take a book with you - I made a decent start on 'The Girl who Played with Fire' during my wait.
My Trip to the Immigration Office
Recently I re-signed for another year teaching in Suwon, South Korea. As such I had to make a visit to the Immigration Office to renew my visa. I was re-signing at the same school so I did not have to make a visa run to another country.
It was the first time I had had to do it as my school took care of this when I first arrived. Once you have been here awhile however they need to take your fingerprints which means you have to do it yourself.
The first thing I would advise is to make sure you have the right documentation, even if your school says its correct, check for yourself. Especially if you are having to make a long trip to your local Immigration Office, you don't want to get there and not have everything in order so have to come back another day.
The second thing is to arrive early, these offices see hundreds of people every day and the line gets big quick. For me it was not too big of a deal as the Suwon Immigration Office is not too far from my school. The first time I went was just after lunch and I soon realised that I would not be able to get seen that day. I had to be at work at 4 o'clock, I spoke with a girl who had a ticket in the 400 region and they were only up to about 200 and something. It turned out to be a good thing as my school had not checked with the Immigration Office and had not given me all the documentation that they should have.
All Immigration Offices are different so you really should check with the one that you are going to visit. Any time you need information about documents, visas or directions you should call the number 1345. Its the helpline and it has English (and other language) speaking operators that can help you out. I called them to check what I needed to take with me and they were very good.
At the very least you will need:
-Your Passport
-Your Arc Card
-30,000 won
-Your original job contract and a copy of it (You keep the original and they take the copy but they want to see both)
-Application Form (You get from the Office when you get there)
Your best bet is to go as early as you can, go straight to the ticket machine and get your ticket. That way you are already in line, after that you can get the application form and fill it in while you wait. You will also need to buy stamps (that's what the 30,000 won fee is for) there will be a counter selling these close by. I got there about 9:30 the second time I went and my ticket was already about 240 something. I had to wait about 4 or 5 hours to finally get to see someone.
Once you do get there if you have all your documents ready then its really quick. She checked everything was there, took my fingerprints on the digital reader they have there on the desk and then wrote a new date on the back of my ARC card. It took about 5 minutes, I was lucky that I was speaking to some other people during the epic wait and they clued me into buying the stamps - if you have not done that you have to run over and do it while they wait which would be pretty annoying.
It was the first time I had had to do it as my school took care of this when I first arrived. Once you have been here awhile however they need to take your fingerprints which means you have to do it yourself.
The first thing I would advise is to make sure you have the right documentation, even if your school says its correct, check for yourself. Especially if you are having to make a long trip to your local Immigration Office, you don't want to get there and not have everything in order so have to come back another day.
The second thing is to arrive early, these offices see hundreds of people every day and the line gets big quick. For me it was not too big of a deal as the Suwon Immigration Office is not too far from my school. The first time I went was just after lunch and I soon realised that I would not be able to get seen that day. I had to be at work at 4 o'clock, I spoke with a girl who had a ticket in the 400 region and they were only up to about 200 and something. It turned out to be a good thing as my school had not checked with the Immigration Office and had not given me all the documentation that they should have.
All Immigration Offices are different so you really should check with the one that you are going to visit. Any time you need information about documents, visas or directions you should call the number 1345. Its the helpline and it has English (and other language) speaking operators that can help you out. I called them to check what I needed to take with me and they were very good.
At the very least you will need:
-Your Passport
-Your Arc Card
-30,000 won
-Your original job contract and a copy of it (You keep the original and they take the copy but they want to see both)
-Application Form (You get from the Office when you get there)
Your best bet is to go as early as you can, go straight to the ticket machine and get your ticket. That way you are already in line, after that you can get the application form and fill it in while you wait. You will also need to buy stamps (that's what the 30,000 won fee is for) there will be a counter selling these close by. I got there about 9:30 the second time I went and my ticket was already about 240 something. I had to wait about 4 or 5 hours to finally get to see someone.
Once you do get there if you have all your documents ready then its really quick. She checked everything was there, took my fingerprints on the digital reader they have there on the desk and then wrote a new date on the back of my ARC card. It took about 5 minutes, I was lucky that I was speaking to some other people during the epic wait and they clued me into buying the stamps - if you have not done that you have to run over and do it while they wait which would be pretty annoying.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Suwon, South Korea
Suwon (수원) is a city about 30 kilometers south of Seoul. Its is located in the Gyeongii-do province of which is is the capital. Suwon is a major city of over one million people and 14 universities. The city is divided into four districts or gu - Gwonseon-Gu, Jangan-gu, Paldal-gu and Yeongtong-gu. In turn each of these gu are divided into smaller neighborhoods called dong.
Suwon is home to the Samsung Electronics headquarters and factory. There is an increasing number of foreigners living in Suwon and because of Samsung these are not just English teachers. You can find quite a mix of nationalities for example there are many Indians and Eastern Europeans.
Suwon is famous for Hwaseong Fortress it is the only remaining completely walled city in South Korea so it is a very popular tourist destination. Built in 1796 the wall is 5.74 kilometers long, there are four main gates and numerous other structures along the wall. Hwaseong is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Galbi is the city's most famous dish - it is marinated and grilled short rib.
Suwon is connected to Seoul and other nearby cities by the Seoul Metropolitan Subway system and numerous buses, trains and the KTX also makes some stops on services from Seoul to Busan. Suwon is on the dark blue Seoul Subway Line 1 and has numerous stations namely Sungkyunkwan University, Hwaseo, Suwon and Seryu.
Transport within Suwon is very easy to find with the green city buses being numerous, frequent and cheap. There are also many taxis available which are also reasonably priced.
All in all Suwon is a really nice city to either visit or to live. When I was originally looking for a job, while still back in New Zealand, I was only looking at Seoul. I am a very picky eater and knew that I could not go anywhere rural where the options would be more limited. Seoul as the capital is very metropolitan so I figured I would be able to find numerous amounts of western food should I not like the Korean options.
However as many of you will know it is quite hard to find a job in Seoul, not impossible but it can take a while. I turned down a few options before I took the job I have now and I am very glad I did, I was not confident in them and the job I have is really good compared to some of the horror stories I have heard. When looking at the job I figured that it was close enough to Seoul to be a reasonable trip and I was right. I often go into Seoul to go shopping or to meet up with friends.
Suwon is big enough to be have a really great city life but its also not too big. I also think that the air is a bit better out here, the first time I went to Seoul I really noticed the pollution. I don't really notice it much now but that first time I remember coming out from the Subway station into Itaewon and being very glad I lived in Suwon.
(Suwon Information Reference: Wikipedia)
Suwon is home to the Samsung Electronics headquarters and factory. There is an increasing number of foreigners living in Suwon and because of Samsung these are not just English teachers. You can find quite a mix of nationalities for example there are many Indians and Eastern Europeans.
Suwon is famous for Hwaseong Fortress it is the only remaining completely walled city in South Korea so it is a very popular tourist destination. Built in 1796 the wall is 5.74 kilometers long, there are four main gates and numerous other structures along the wall. Hwaseong is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Galbi is the city's most famous dish - it is marinated and grilled short rib.
Suwon is connected to Seoul and other nearby cities by the Seoul Metropolitan Subway system and numerous buses, trains and the KTX also makes some stops on services from Seoul to Busan. Suwon is on the dark blue Seoul Subway Line 1 and has numerous stations namely Sungkyunkwan University, Hwaseo, Suwon and Seryu.
Transport within Suwon is very easy to find with the green city buses being numerous, frequent and cheap. There are also many taxis available which are also reasonably priced.
All in all Suwon is a really nice city to either visit or to live. When I was originally looking for a job, while still back in New Zealand, I was only looking at Seoul. I am a very picky eater and knew that I could not go anywhere rural where the options would be more limited. Seoul as the capital is very metropolitan so I figured I would be able to find numerous amounts of western food should I not like the Korean options.
However as many of you will know it is quite hard to find a job in Seoul, not impossible but it can take a while. I turned down a few options before I took the job I have now and I am very glad I did, I was not confident in them and the job I have is really good compared to some of the horror stories I have heard. When looking at the job I figured that it was close enough to Seoul to be a reasonable trip and I was right. I often go into Seoul to go shopping or to meet up with friends.
Suwon is big enough to be have a really great city life but its also not too big. I also think that the air is a bit better out here, the first time I went to Seoul I really noticed the pollution. I don't really notice it much now but that first time I remember coming out from the Subway station into Itaewon and being very glad I lived in Suwon.
(Suwon Information Reference: Wikipedia)
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