Who's Who in Cheongju: Jody Hiscock

Whenever anyone needs help with their computer, whether it's broken, acting up, or in need of replacement, this man is on top of it. He's always ready with a helping hand and reliable advice. For any and all of your PC questions... This is Jody!

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-Jody-
How long have you been in Cheongju, and what do you do here?
I've been living in Cheongju for about 6 years. I am an assistant professor at Cheongju University.
What did you do pre-Cheongju?
Before Cheongju, I lived in other areas of Korea teaching at universities for almost 12 years in total. And before coming to Korea, I was a territory sales manager for Cadbury.
What do you do for fun?
I’m pretty much a geek and don't have much of a social life. My hobby is computer & electronics and therefore English PC keeps me pretty busy. When I am not teaching, I'm pretty much devoting all my free time to English PC.
 

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-English PC and Sales-
So how did English PC happen?
As you probably know, trying to get things done in Korea can be quite difficult if you don't speak the language. Finding a computer shop that does repairs and sells computers isn't any different. Not only that, but translating computer jargon from English to Korean can be even more frustrating for expats. For those reasons, I decided to offer my services. That was over two years ago.
What was it like when you first started? Has it changed much?
When I first started English PC, it was actually quite overwhelming. I didn't realize how fast the Facebook group would grow. It has almost 3500 expat members now. Since then I have expanded by providing a website (www.EnglishPCsales.com) for expats where they can find just about any PC they are looking for, whether that be a laptop, desktop, gaming pc or just something for the budget traveler.
What’s in the future for English PC?
The website has already been updated twice, with different face lifts, but now I am planning to build a much bigger website so I can offer a broader range of products and services.
I am planning for that to happen within the next few months, before Christmas comes around.
 

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-Cheongju-
What's your favorite time and place in Cheongju?
My favorite place and time in Cheongju would be anywhere quiet and peaceful. Usually the wife and I head to nearby walking parks.
What's something in Cheongju that everyone should do at least once?
I would suggest checking out Hwayang Valley. It's a great place for rest and relaxation. And it's only about 35 minutes drive outside the city.
Any advice for Cheongju-ers?

Like any city in Korea, it can feel crowded at times, so if you're looking for some peace and quiet, I'd recommend doing some hiking. It’s great exercise for both the body and mind.

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