Do you live in Pyeongtaek? Would you like help learning more about the community? We recommend registering for a PIEF (Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation) Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses available in 2024. This year’s curriculum is all new and heavily focused on the Pyeongtaek area.
Who Should Register
We recommend the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses for anyone who moved to South Korea in the last 24 months. The courses will have information for new arrivals and international residents who want to add depth to their experience. It’s perfect for both SOFA-status community members and international residents.
Register for May 2024, Songtan Classes (Near Osan Air Force Base): [Click the Link] https://forms.gle/9rNGL6jxfTghnKUG9
Why You Should Register
The Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses will provide unparalleled access to localized information. This will be the deepest dive into Pyeongtaek life that PIEF has ever done. Course leaders will provide increased insight into parking, health care, child care, banking, shopping online, using Naver, making friends, and so much more.
Register for May 2024, Songtan Classes (Near Osan Air Force Base): [Click the Link] https://forms.gle/9rNGL6jxfTghnKUG9
About Pyeongtaek Living 101
The Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF) founded Pyeongtaek Living 101 to support international residents and SOFA members. PIEF seeks to help such people connect with the resources, services, and experiences available in Pyeongtaek-si. Pyeongtaek Living 101 covers topics such as banking, housing, transportation, and building a community. Each year PIEF strives to make the course more specific to local community needs
Course Structure
In 2024, Pyeongtaek Living 101 expanded into a four-class course. The Course will be offered 3 times a year at the Paengseong PIEF and Songtan PIEF Centers. For each session, one course will be provided as an Intensive Course (classes scheduled Mon-Thursday for 1 week) and a Monthly Course (Classes scheduled every Thursday for 4 weeks)
Course Location Schedule
The First Session of Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses are as follows (Additional Course Dates Will Be Posted Later):
PIEF Songtan (Near Osan Air Force Base)
- Type: Intensive Course
Dates: May 20, 21, 22, 23 (Monday – Thursday)- Times: 18:00 – 20:00
- Location: Songtan Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF)
- Address (English): 124 Shinjang-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Address (Hangul): ๊ฒฝ๊ธฐ ํํ์ ์ ์ฅ๋ก 124
- Naver Link: [Click here] https://naver.me/5NdAWH5u
- Waze Link: [Click here] https://waze.com/ul/hwyd6gp5y5 or type PIEF ST into Waze
Dates: May 20, 21, 22, 23 (Monday – Thursday)
Times: 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Songtan Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF)
Address (English): 124 Shinjang-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
Address (Hangul): ๊ฒฝ๊ธฐ ํํ์ ์ ์ฅ๋ก 124
Naver Link: [Click here]
Waze Link: [Click here]Don’t wait! Register for May 2024, Songtan (Sinjangdong) Classes: [Click the Link] https://forms.gle/9rNGL6jxfTghnKUG9
PIEF Paenseong (Near Camp Humphreys)
- Type: Intensive
- Dates: June 10, 11, 12, & 13
- Times: 18:00 – 20:00
- Location: Paengseong Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF)
- Address: 42 Pangseong-eup Anjeongsunhwan-ro 267beon-gil, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Address (Hangul): ํํ์ ์์ ์ํ๋ก267๋ฒ๊ธธ 42
- Naver Link: [Click here] https://naver.me/IMnfzIdq
- Waze Link: [Click here] https://waze.com/ul/hwyd670t2v or type PIEF PS into Waze
- Registration Opening Soon!
Dates: June 10, 11, 12, & 13
Times: 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Paengseong Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF)
Address: 42 Pangseong-eup Anjeongsunhwan-ro 267beon-gil, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
Address (Hangul): ํํ์ ์์ ์ํ๋ก267๋ฒ๊ธธ 42
Naver Link: [Click here]
Waze Link: [Click here]About the 2024 Pyeongtaek Living 101 Curriculum
PIEF consulted with our South of Seoul volunteers to develop the 2024 Pyeongtaek Living 101 Course Curriculum. PIEF worked with our group to identify specific concerns related to the international community in the Pyeongtaek area. Our volunteers based their curriculum-related advice on over a decade of research conducted through our community programs and community Facebook groups.
PIEF supported curriculum development by providing South of Seoul volunteers access to direct information. For example, we could more easily request specific details and answers to questions from local police, emergency responders, and government offices. Attending all of the classes below will help you have a much greater understanding of how to build the life you want to live in Pyeongtaek-si.
Class 1 Residency
The first class of the course talks about residency in South Korea. We explore where to search for information and how to get access to South Korean systems that help you with:
- shopping online
- make dinner reservations
- reserve hotels and pensions
- banking
- identity verification
- enrolling kids in schools
Class 2: Pyeongtaek
Learn about Pyeongtaek from international residents who have lived in South Korea for over 13 years. They will cover information such as:
- Introduction to Pyeongtaek
- Overview of Neighborhoods
- Public Transportation
- Parking
- City Events and Event Locations
- Parks
- Libraries
- Restaurants
- Things to Do
While introducing the information, they will teach you how to use apps like Naver maps to access things more smoothly to make life easier.
Class 3: Home & Living
The Home and Living class will be a deep dive into managing your daily life in Pyeongtaek-si . We will explore apps and talk about systems for the following topics:
- Introduction to Home and Living Content
- Grocery Shopping
- Recycling
- Disposing of large items like furniture
- Spring cleaning and home maintenance
- Education Options
- Personal Transportation
Class 4: Building Community and Friendships
The Building Community and Friendships class will focus on various communities you can connect with across Pyeongtaek-si. It’s the perfect class for those who want to build strong connections across the community while living in Pyeongtaek:
- Introduction to Communities and Groups for International Residents
- Overview of different community organizations in Pyeongtaek
- Overview of volunteer opportunities
- Tips for Building Community
- Tips for Connect and Friendships
About the 2024 Pyeongteak Living 101 Educators
In addition to partnering on curriculum development, PIEF and South of Seoul created a team of speakers, special guests, and volunteers with extensive localized knowledge. This means that the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses provide an opportunity to connect with international residents who have lived in Pyeongtaek and the surrounding areas.
Who Sponsors the Courses
The Pyeongtaek Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) provide the budget for PIEF to manage Pyeongtaek Living 101. The local and federal governments seek to support Pyeongtaek as an inclusive international city.
Register for May 2024, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys) Classes: [Click the Link] https://forms.gle/9pMVVBoXCsA68Lq3A
Register for May 2024, Songtan Classes (Near Osan Air Force Base): [Click the Link] https://forms.gle/9rNGL6jxfTghnKUG9
Pyeongtak Living 101 is a PIEF (Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation) Program that supports international residents living in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The program provides classes, workshops, and information to make integration into Korean life smoother.
The Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF), established in 2014, is a key organization in promoting global exchange and fostering international relations in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. PIEFโs mission centers around enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation, especially with the United States Forces Korea (USFK), local foreign residents, and citizens of Pyeongtaek, with the goal of becoming a globally recognized city.
PIEF operates three main centers: the Paengseong International Community Center, Songtan International Community Center, and the Pyeongtaek English Education Center. These centers provide various services, such as language education, cultural programs, and support services for foreign residents. The foundation focuses on strengthening the ROK-US alliance through community-building events, cultural festivals, and educational programs that aim to integrate both locals and international residents. Additionally, PIEF facilitates programs to support foreign residents in Pyeongtaek by providing interpretation, legal and immigration counseling, and other resources to help them settle in Korea.
By organizing diverse programs, such as the Global Supporters and Global Citizenship Fostering initiatives, PIEF actively promotes cultural exchange and global citizenship among Pyeongtaekโs residents. The foundation also seeks to enhance the cityโs global reach through collaborations with other cities worldwide and through public diplomacy initiatives, aiming to position Pyeongtaek as a leading international city in Korea.
