Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pootie]

I'm leaving for Korea on Monday (for a whole year). Any ideas to add to my list of what to bring, or if you think I really don't need to (ex. tons of it there, cheap)

1. 8 bars of deoderant
2. 5 tubes of toothpaste
3. burned music CD's (bring mp3 format or regular?)
4. Clothes for 4 seasons
5. 1 pair black dress shoes
6. 2 pairs brand new sneakers (size 12)
7. Q-tips
8. 4 toothbrushes
9. passport, documents, etc...
10. 1000USD (the best way to convert it for best rate, USA or there?)
11. medication
12. Camera (should I buy a digital in the US or in Korea, would it work back in the US if I do?)

Anything else you guys wish you had brought? Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch =)

[Trinny]

- Medicine or prescriptions
- dental floss
- No toothpaste or brush (there are tons of them in Korea)
- ESL books/your favourite books
- Photos of your family and friends
- Pancake mix (if you like Pancake)
- Canned soups (campbell tomatoe soup, other hearty soup)
- Spicies (if you want to make spagetti sauce or chilli)

[Squaffy]

Common sense will do the job.

[marcy]

The other day I saw the same digital camera I brought with me from Canada in a store here for the same price...Bring one with you, shopping for electronics can be a hassle over here...

I was really glad to have flu medication when I got here as when you are feeling sick, it's so nice not to have to go shopping for anything. I wish I would have brought something to help me sleep.

I wish I had Lipton chicken noodle soup packets...but, that was something I had often at home.

Good Luck!

[waterbaby]

This topic has been done many times...
Here's a link to another lengthy thread
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=2435

Edit: Here's another http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=17265

[Pootie]

thanks, that link to the thread was great, how do you find those links?

[waterbaby]

[HardyandTiny]

Depends on where you will be living in Korea.

1. 8 bars of deoderant--it is here
2. 5 tubes of toothpaste -it is here
3. burned music CD's (bring mp3 format or regular?)-doesn't matter
4. Clothes for 4 seasons- all is here cheaper if you are slim and small
5. 1 pair black dress shoes-very cheap here
6. 2 pairs brand new sneakers (size 12)-cheaper here
7. Q-tips- not as good as JNJ here but it is here
8. 4 toothbrushes-it is here
9. passport, documents, etc..-passport with visa and you are in.
10. 1000USD (the best way to convert it for best rate, USA or there?)-convert it here- at a local exchange- not a bank- and with someone who is not korean-like a co-worker
11. medication-what kind? pharmacies are about five times cheaper her
12. Camera (should I buy a digital in the US or in Korea, would it work back in the US if I do?) - if you are in seoul contact me and i can get you a digital camera cheap
anything else you guys wish you had brought?

Coming to Korea is like going to LA as far as THINGS are concerned..take your time and talk to other foreigners..you can teach privates and you can make a lot of extra money but you need to know how to do that without getting in trouble..take your time and do not rush. You will find that Koreans like to rush things. You will be rushed into things and people will try to take you by surprise..just take your time. Do nothing in the first month except your job and feel things out.

[K-in-C]

Marcy wrote: I wish I had Lipton chicken noodle soup packets...but, that was something I had often at home.

I hear you on that one Marcy. When I get a cold I add fresh lemon to the broth. Lipton onion soup mix comes in handy too.

Are you in the Busan area? I'm heading that way in July and could bring you a few packs.

Until next time,

Kate

[Son Deureo!]

Shoes are easy to find and cheaper here, but not if you're a size 12. Trust me, I know, I'm a size 12 myself. The biggest Korean size I've found at most shoe stores (290) is around an 11. I've even tried special ordering size 300s from local shoe stores, and they couldn't get them. This was with an American brand of shoes, too.

I have heard that for a small fortune you can get bigger shoes in Itaewon, but I don't bother. I bring a year's supply of shoes with me from the States. You might also want to bring one or two pairs of slippers, as some hogwans expect you to not wear shoes inside. This happened to me, and I had to have my family ship me a pair of slippers.

As for other miscellany that you just won't find here easily, I say:

Bring some books you've been looking forward to reading. When you meet other teachers you'll be able to trade books you've finished for their used books.

Kraft Mac 'n Cheese cheese packets (or whatever instant food you can easily back for an instant taste of home).

A pound or two of your favorite coffee grounds (vacuum sealed).

Your entire spice cabinet.

Your favorite candy bars (the selection here is limited).

A big block of your favorite cheese sealed in wax.

Whatever your favorite cold medication is, you will get sick here and you won't want to experiment with Korean brands, you'll want what you could always get at the drugstore back home that you know works.

A laptop with a DVD player and an English operating system is real nice to have in your home to have especially since high-speed internet access is so cheap.

If you're having a space crunch in your suitcases, just pack it in a box and surface mail it to your new Korean address.

[HardyandTiny]

[OiGirl]

[Zyzyfer]

Nyquil.

[OiGirl]

[Zyzyfer]

Still, bring Nyquil. The stuff I got is trifold useful:

-Gets rid of cough
-Knocks me out for the night
-antihistamine