Making Ulsan Connections through Facebook
It’s rare these days to come across someone who isn’t on Facebook. The Social Media site has taken on a huge role in many of our lives, as an easy way to keep in touch with friends and family back home (even if it’s just passively checking statuses or flipping through photo albums) while we’re living abroad. It’s also a great way to meet new people and discover ways to get involved in your new community while you’re living here. Ulsan has always had a very active foreign community, and with help from the members of the Ulsan Online Facebook group, I’ve compiled a list of groups that can help you make connections, and get more out of your time in the Land of the Morning Calm.
General help for living in Ulsan
Ulsan Online – with over 1800 members, and growing every day, this is probably the most active group online in Ulsan. The intention is to extend the information available on our website – if you can’t find an answer to your question on here, ask it there!
Ulsan Used Goods – a buy and sell list. Since many expats are here only for a year or two, there is a rather steady trade in basic household products and furniture, or even the odd vehicle. If you need something, or want to unload something you can’t bring
home, check it out.
Ulsan Parents Club – great support if you have little ones. They occasionally organize group outings, such as picnics and Christmas parties.
Ulsan Mothers Group – similar to above.
What’s Hot in Hogye – for anyone living in Buk-gu (the north end of the city), in neighbourhoods like Hogye and Hwabong, as it can feel a little isolated out there. There’s also the Yeonamazing group for people in Hwabong and Yeonam dongs.
Dong-gu Ulsan – a similar group for people living in Dong-gu, which can also feel a bit cut off from the rest of the city at times.
Eonyang Family – for those way out in Ulju-gun, by the KTX station.
Volunteering
T-Hope – Teachers Helping Other People Everywhere. A group of volunteers who do orphanage visits, gather donations for charity, and run fundraising events. This is a page, not a group, but you can find out more about them through this link.
T-Hope – Lotus Center for Autistic Children
Language Skills
Ulsan Language Exchange Table and
Let’s Talk Talk Ulsan – these two groups organize events where Koreans and English-speakers can come together to practice their other language. Usually half the event is run in English, half in Korean.
Ulsan Korean Study Group – a group centered around the study of the Korean Language in Ulsan. In this group you can share your tips and materials on studying Korean.
Ulsan Skype Cultural Exchange Group – meet up over Skype, from the comfort of your own home.
Spanish Conversation in Ulsan – get together with other Spanish language speakers to keep up your skills.
Hobbies and Recreation (these are pretty straight forward)
Ulsan International Cultural Discovery and Meetup
Sports
Ulsan, Busan, Daegu, Pohang Ice Hockey
Ulsan Football (American style, not soccer)
Won Shot Wanderers FC (soccer/football)
R.O.K. STARS 2013 (basketball)
Ulsan Sports – for a wide variety
Waeguks Got Runs – for runners/joggers. Often lists marathons and other running events.
Teaching Support
Ulsan Substitute Teacher Group – if you need cover for a day off at your hogwan, try listing it here.
Ulsan MOE Substitute Teacher Group – same as above, but for public school teachers.
Teachers in Ulsan – share resources, get advice for dealing with difficult classes, etc.
Ulsan EPIK – for public school teachers.
High School Teachers in Korea – support for the small number of native speaker High School teachers.
Resources for Teachers in Ulsan
Student Support
UISO – UNIST International Student Organization, for students at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.
University of Ulsan International Students Association
Religious Organizations
Ulsan English Fellowship – A Mission Outreach of the First Congregational United Church of Christ
Simin International Church Ulsan
Ulsan Han-Fil Families – Korean-Filipino families “working together to fulfill the will of Heaven.”