Korean Pop -- BIG BANG is all the rage right now...

Accepting applications for Pegasus Program's February EPIK placements in Ulsan and Busan!

Get your friends over to Korea to join you!!

PEGASUS PROGRAM (EPIK placement) FEB 2009 IN ULSAN & BUSAN!
Pegasus Program Feb 2009 accepting applications NOW
Deadline: November 15,2008
50 spots available in Ulsan; 50 spots in Busan!!
(See our Facebook page for more details & photos of current Pegasus Program September 2008 placements having fun already!)
need info? epikpegasusprogram@gmail.com

Why go with the Pegasus Program?
Because you won't have nearly as much fun with any other placement!
-- teach in Korea's public schools
-- the best support network for the whole process (from application through to the end of the year)
-- a placement organization that really, truly cares about you, the teachers!
(JUST ASK any current Pegasus Program teacher how hard we work to make sure they are alway having a great time, with great people!)
-- the opportunity to immediately meet other teachers in your city (30 teachers already placed in September; 50+ teachers being placed with the program in February!)
-- All Pegasus Program positions are in the same city and there will be numerous extra-curricular opportunities.
-- the best teaching hours anywhere; finish by 5pm every day!
-- blog and Facebook group to keep teachers connected
-- access to discounted travel throughout Asia – Thailand, Japan, China and more!
AND SO MUCH MORE

contract details:
300,000 KRW signing bonus ($300 USD approz)

Approx $2000/mth

apartment provided

airfare paid by Korean government (reimbursed upon arrival)

way less hours than working at a private academy!

and so much more!!

Pegasus Program Ulsan Sept 2008 photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6644&l=f51bf&id=1165749826

To apply, please send your resume to epikpegasusprogram@gmail.com with a short paragraph about your international and or teaching experience thus far. (None needed, but we'd like to know about it if you have any!) Also, for the application process to the Korean government etc, we need a photo. If you can send this to me, I can start the application process and arrange an interview!

More pics!

Stay tuned for Chuseok plans to amazing, historic Gyeongju!!

And meanwhile, check out more pics HERE!

Pegasus Program first weekend photos!!

Click here!

MOE contract questions

Pegasus Program Teachers,

Please note that the following concerns/questions should be addressed to Scott Kim (scott@footprintsrecruiting.com) as he is essentially your Korean liaison with the MOE. All of the following issues can only be thoroughly answered by Scott and the MOE, as they are the MOE's responsibility and I have no control over the MOE process. So, if you are wondering/concerned how these issues are being handled, and when, please express your concerns to Scott. He will be able to answer you, and also will be able to alert the MOE to your concerns/questions.

Questions to ask Scott: REIMBURSEMENT, SETTLEMENT FEE, ORIENTATION, HOUSING and all MOE contract related questions...

Please remember, that you are an employee of the MOE. Unlike working in a private school, where we are able to have more contact with the individual schools and processes, when dealing with the MOE there are many more administration levels as it is the government. So, Scott is the one who understands the MOE process and knows who and how to contact the MOE and its schools about any questions/concerns. He also speaks Korean -- a big help. So, he really is your man if you have any MOE or contract questions/concerns.

Also, all of the coteachers are attending a meeting to get info to you about reimbursement, settlement fee, etc. If you still have questions after they have relayed this info to you, please contact Scott. Also know that it is in the coteacher's job description to help you in any way they can, in and out of the classroom. So, please do not worry about relying upon them, and asking them, for information. They are supposed to help you get settled -- in AND out of the classroom.

I hope this helps.

Also, as for what I personally can and will be doing: I am helping you teachers get connected with each other and familiar with the city as best I can, as this is part of the Pegasus promise to ensure you have the best time possible. The contract issues are Scott and the MOE's areas. The overall experience, the social side of teaching in Korea and communication with each other is MY area. (If you wish to alert me to any particular school/contract issues etc, that is fine. However, know that most of the time, I will simply have to pass these questions/concerns onto Scott as he is the one best equipped to handle them, and he is also the one dealing with the MOE.)

I am also still waiting to hear from Scott/MOE about the new orientation dates.

Cheers,
Tracy

Ulsan sight highlights to explore Sunday

Hey teachers!

For those who made it out to the social last night, I hope you all had a fabulous time! For those of you who couldn't make it, or who hadn't arrived yet, I will be organizing a similar social next weekend. The few with whom I've spoke this morning so far have said they had a great time. That was indeed the plan -- for you to have a great time TOGETHER your first weekend in Ulsan! (By the way, send some photos -- or tell me if you post any -- as we'd love to add them to our Ulsan album too!)

As for today:
If you want to see some of Ulsan's many cultural highlights (many of them very traditional, such as ruins and temples), then the TWO AREAS you want to explore are ULJU-GU and JUNG-GU. These areas are also right next to each other and almost overlap. Below are some the highlights. These areas have everything from dinosaur footprints and petroglyphs to one of the country's most modern sports complexes! If you decide you'd like to explore these areas today with some of the other teachers, the best area to meet would probably be Munsu Football Stadium. It is right in the middle of the two areas, and then you can decide where you'd like to go from there. Express you interest in meeting up on the Weekend Socializing Facebook group and hopefully you'll find others that are interested. (There's probably a main entrance where you could meet.)

Go to http://english.ulsan.go.kr/Tour/List.php?l=Tour&m=Mountain and click on "Tourist Guide Map." You'll be able to locate these two areas by looking for Munsu Stadium, then looking to the left (and mountain-ward) to fing Ulju-gu sites. Look to the right of the stadium, and still towards the top (most mountainous) part of the page that is least populated and you'll locate sites in the overlapping part of Ulju and then Jung-gu monuments slightly below them).

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR FIRST WEEKEND!

HIGHLIGHTS IF ULJU-GU

STUPA OF CHEONGSONGSA SITE
689-861) San 107-4, Gaegok-ri, Cheongnyang-myeon, Ulju-Gun, Ulsan
These three bell-shaped stupas, discovered in the Cheongsongsa site, were stone-towers to hold ashes of famous monks.
The left stupa(3 meters high) comprises Jidaeseok, Gidaeseok, a pedestal with a design of lotus petals and Tapsin(a main body).

MUNSUSU TEMPLE
(689-861) San 342, Gaegok-ri, Cheongnyang-myeon, Ulju-Gu, Ulsan
It is located in Ul-ri, Cheongrang-myun, Ulju-gun, named after the Munsu mountain
Munsusa temple was built by Jijangulsa, priest in the period of Queen Seoduk of 27th
of Silla.

PETROGLYPHS

of Cheon-jeonri & Petroglyphs of Bangudae,
(689-841) San 207-8, Gumi-ri, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-Gun, Ulsan

The designs of circles, mud snails, deer, fish, birds, snakes, human faces, etc. seen on the upper part of the rock, are interpreted as the symbols for the rite for abundance of that time, being used from the New Stone Age to the Bronze Age. The pictures of cavalry parade, sailing boats, dragons, horses, deer, and more than 300 characters on the lower part of the rock were left by people of the Three Kingdoms period and the Unified Silla, which indicates that people of Silla regarded this place holy since the Three Kingdoms Period.

SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE

ULSAN SPORTS PARK (& MUNSU STADIUM)
(this is sort of smack, right in the middle of Jung-gu and Ulju-gu. While it is technically in Nam-gu, it is the countryside/mountain-side area of Nam-gu which makes it close to Ulju-gu and Jung-gu.)
(680-843) San 5, Ok-dong, Nam-Gu, Ulsan
Acclaimed as the gem of the international football world, the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium is the most frequented venue by Ulsan residents and tourists because of its spectacular scenery. Mts. Munsuand. Namam, and a nearby lake serve as natural backdrop.

THE AREA OF JUNG - GU

RELICS OF PARK JESANG
(689-842) San 30-2, Manhwa-ri, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-Gun, Ulsan
(this is really closer to the other sites in Jung-gu even though technically in Ulju-Gu)
Mangbuseok is a rock which involves a legend of a woman, missing her long awaited husband, who died and turned into a stone while waiting for him. There are other places with similar legends, but this is the best known.
Park Jesang was a famous loyal official during the reign of King Nulji(417~458) of Silla.

TOMBS OF DAUN-DONG
(681-340) San 147, Daun-dong, Jung-Gu, Ulsan
This a large tumuli was built over the Unified Silla Period from the Bronze Age. Located at the foot of a hill between the Taehwagang(Taehwa River) and the Cheokgwacheon(Cheokgwa Stream) this tumuli was built in the style of the Three Kingdoms Period(57 B.C. ∼ A.D. 668) and the Unified Silla Period tomb over the village and tombs of the Bronze's village.

FOSSILIZED DINOSAURS FOOTPRINT OF YUGOK-DONG
(681-310) 54-1, Yugok-dong, Jung-Gu, Ulsan
The footprints here, precious resources of natural history, are those of large and medium sized dinosaurs of the Lower Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago.

BAEKYANGSA TEMPLE
819, Seongan-dong, Jung-Gu, Ulsan (681-300)
Baekyangsa temple is the oldest temple of those built in the period of Silla kingdom…It was built by Baeyangsansa, monk, in order to pray defense of the fatherland

ULSAN HYANGGYO
(681-240) 171-1, Gyo-dong, Jung-Gu, Ulsan
Hyanggyo (Confucian Academy) is a local public educational institution of the Joseon period. The structure includes a Confucian shrine and a school building. In the Confucian shrine, there are Daeseongjeon and Dongseomu. Daeseongjeon was dedicated to Confucius (552-479 B.C) and the Four Chinese Saints, the Two Chinese Sages, and the Eighteen Korean Sages.

NO-CAR STREET
[not really “traditional” but in the Jung-gu area, and worth checking out]
(681-210) Seongnam-dong, Jung-Gu, Ulsan
No-car Street was built in June 1998 in the area along the Hyundai Department Store, Seongnam Branch, which is the busiest street in Ulsan, to the four-way junction in front of the old Munhwatang. It was built as a cultural and shopping space that is 315 meters long and 10 meters wide. It was completed after three years. No-car Street was built to create a new cultural center, and to promote the economy of the old downtown.

** These highlights are excerpts from ulsan.go.kr **

Saturday, August 30 Welcome Dinner Social

So, here are the plans for Saturday!

For those of you who would like to spend time exploring Ulsan, getting to know the city as well as your fellow teachers this weekend, we have written up a short ULSAN Guide and have organized a meeting spot for you. The Guide is a mere list of suggestions as to where you can go after meeting up. Also, you can all go the same places, or split intosub groups. Whatever is your fancy. It's up to you! It's just a chance for you all to meet up and see the city, your new home!

Saturday's daytime exploration has been organized around the theme of "Modern

Korea." I'll send another guide later tonight which will give you ideas about what to see on Sunday. Sunday is organized around the opposite theme of "Traditional

Korea." This email has the “Modern Korea” day highlights, and towards the end of the email you find the details of the Welcome Dinner Social I have organized. It will be at a great, local Korean restaurant Saturday night.

If you don’t want to spend the day exploring, that is okay. I’m just providing an opportunity for you to meet the other teachers and hang out for the day. It's a

pretty casual meet up. No obligation. Although, I know it will be a lot of fun for those who attend!

However, I’ve made dinner

plans for Saturday night though and I’d love for you all to be there. So, if you like, you can simply meet all of the teachers at 5.45pm for the Welcome Dinner Social (dinner

details at the end of this email).

Saturday MORNING, August 30

Meet your fellow

Pegasus Teachers under the FERRIS WHEEL inside the Lotte Department Store Plaza at 11.00am. (There are

benches there).

This is a casual meet up without any signs. So, hopefully you'll recognize each other from the flight or Facebook. But, you'll likely

be the only group of teachers hanging out under the Ferris Wheel, "waiting."
Address : (680-815) 1480-1, Samsan-dong, Nam-Gu, Ulsan

The best way to get here is by taxi. It shouldn’t be more then about $5 from where most of you are located and you can share with others in your area.

You start your day's explorations here because this department store calls itself the "best and

the biggest department store in Ulsan." That's not all! In addition to shopping, this "department store" also has: eight multiplex theatres, a huge

"Ferris Wheel that allows you to catch the East Sea in one glance," and theme restaurants, among so many other attractions. This is a great introduction to department

store, and shopping culture in Korea. You might spend a while here! Nam-Gu, and specifically Samsan-dong, is the thriving area of Ulsan. There are many cafes, restaurants and stores to

keep you busy for the afternoon. So, you will easily be able to spend a lot of time here! (Many of the banks are in this area too, if you happen to have any

banking inquiries, you can pop into one of them).

When you are ready to move on, you can check out the following other department stores and shopping

experiences in the same area. And don’t worry, you don’t need to plan on spending any money either. These shopping institutions are simply great

spectacles to behold!!

E-Mart
Address : (680-815) 1646 Samsan-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan

This has no connection to Wal-Mart. This is an electronic-mart and it is like nothing you have experienced before. It's like a

mega IKEA of Electronics!! This "mall" (it's not a mall according to North America's standards -- it's more like one

of our department stores on steroids) is massive. It includes more electronics than you can imagine!! In addition to electronics, the

place includes: food/beverages, services, fashion, toys, a bea

uty salon, pet shop, pharmacy, travel agency, and an automobile repair shop...

Hyundai Department Store
Address : 1521-1, Samsan-dong, Nam-Gu, Ulsan (680-816)
It's not just a car anymore.

It's a whole shopping experience. In addition to a shopping mecca, this 13 story department store is the full meal deal -- it has a McDonalds within it.

Saturday EVENING, August 30, 5.45pm
Meet back under the FERRIS WHEEL in the Lotte

Department Store Plaza
Anyone who wasn’t wandering the town with the group during the day can catch up with the

group again here.
Ann Katherine Sterrett

(a Pegasus Teacher who has been in Ulsan for the last month at a private school) will be meeting you by the benches under the FERRIS WILL
will get you directed to the restaurant.
You’ll all share taxis to the restaurant, at the cost of about 50cents-$1 a person, as the restaurant is not far. Ann will get you all directed there though. (But write the address down too, so that you call also show it to your taxi driver).

THE RESTAURANT:
Hamyangjip (Hamyang House).
Location : 579-4 Sinjeong3-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan
Reservations have been made for about 25 teachers for 6.00pm.
(To help locate it, it is also less than 100 meters from a “White Castle Motel” that looks like a funny Disney-ish castle hotel and there is also a Japanese restaurant, “Mancheong Japanese Food,” close-by on the corner of the block).

Why I’ve picked this restaurant:
It is THE OLDEST TRADITIONAL BIBIMBAP RESTAURANT IN ULSAN.
It’s been operating for 80 years, and its signature dish is the owner’s very traditional and delicious “bibimbap” Korean dish. Everyone should try it once, and it’s a great intro to Korean cuisine. AND what better place to try it than the establishment that is famous for it? It’s a small little restaurant and seats only about 50 people. I’ve reserved half the restaurant for you teachers! (By the way, seating is traditional style, on the floor…)

What is bibimbap? It is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste). You can eat it without adding the gochujang if you don’t like spice. A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating. It can be sometimes served cold and sometimes hot.These the two types. (It is also served with everything on top, and then you stir it before eating. If there is an ingredient you do not fancy, just pick it out before stirring it all together.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibimbap
Bulgogi (BBQ) is also a highly recommended dish and may be a good choice for the less adventurous.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgogi
There should also be a few other menu options, and the menu will likely be at least partly/mostly translated into English.
If you’d like to try the local beverage of choice, ask for SOJU.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soju

Here’s a snapshot of the menu:
Cheoyong Bibimbap: 5,000 Won
Traditional Style Bibimbap: 6,000 Won
Gomtang (a thick broth) made with Korean Beef : 5,000 Won
Hanwoo Seoksoe Bulgogi (Korean Beef Bulgogi grilled on a gridiron) : 18,000 Won (likely enough to share)
Joseonpa Pajeong (Fried mixture of flour and Korean onion): 8,000 Won

The restaurant closes at 10.00pm, and it IS acceptable in Korea to hang around eating and drinking for hours. When you are done eating and drinking, if you so choose, you can head out to check out the local night scene. Ann knows many of the local night spots. There’s a lot of nightlife in Samsandong (the same area as the Lotte Dept Store) or in surrounding areas. Ann will give you a ton of ideas if you’re up for continuing the day’s adventures on into the night!

Have fun! And just promise to post photos!!

Also, email me if you plan on going to the dinner, as it will allow me to tell Ann how many people to expect to be waiting for at Lotte. I’ve made reservations for 25. I’d LOVE it if everyone attended, of course!!

By the way, a photo of Ann is attached so you know who to look for at the Ferris Wheel Sat at 5.45! J