Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LeaforKorea]

I am wondering how much Korean won I should have with me when I arrive.

Will I be able to pay for things with my American bank card? It's a Mastercard that's linked directly to my bank account and supposedly it works internationally, but will I get a better exchange rate if I get cash changed to won before I arrive and just use that until I get a bank account set up?

I've read on here that I should have at least $1000 to live on the 1st month before my 1st paycheck, but I can't imagine that people are flying overseas with that much cash on them.

So please share with me what you did about money for your 1st month.

[IPayInCash]

Why cant you imagine people flying overseas without much cash on them? My most recent trip to SEA with my smoking hot girlfriend, I had around $2500 in CASH on me. Youre not a baby anymore. No ones going to rob you unless youre an idiot and a sucker.

When I first came to Korea, I came with not much and a lot less than $1000. I got by just fine. Ive since then worked my way up the ladder and now have a DREAM job here in Korra that pays very well. Doesnt matter how broke you start out. If you work hard and put in the time, you too can be as successful as me.

[cabeza]

Came with $2000 cash money, and access to another $5000 on my home ATM card.

You never know how much you are going to need in your first month because there are always unforeseen costs and depends on the individual situation of your job.
It's never ideal to carry wads of cash, but there aren't many places that are safer to do so than Korea. Bankcards are hit and miss. For every one person who uses with no problem there are two or three who can't.

[beentheredonethat777]

[No_hite_pls]

The wife and I came here with about $1,000 in cash and about $45,000 accessible through credit/bank cards. The rest was tied up in stocks/bonds/property. We went through the $1,000 before pay day and wished at the time we brought more in cash. We had to use our US credit card. There was an emergency back home and we paid an exchange fee to buy the plane tickets on US credit card. We should have brought more cash then we wouldn't have had to pay the fee. We booked the tickets through Xanadu travel and they only took Korean currency.

[YTMND]

200-300 should be enough, exchange to won except about $50 which you can use for when you return.

Then, use a card to get the rest of the cash from a bank machine as you need it. Don't use the 200-300 unless you really need it.

You can also shop with the card.

[12ax7]

[andrewchon]

[12ax7]

[ttompatz]

[tealeaf]

I recommend $1500 cash, minimum.
Change $300 at the airport when you arrive and change the rest at a bank later.

Have access to $1500, minimum, in your home country the entire period of your stay in Korea. Make sure you have easy and immediate access to this. Some bank debit cards will not work in some ATMs, this was my experience when I first arrived.

[12ax7]

[I'm With You]

I laugh at this, and agree.

$1,000 is peanuts. I'm entertained by the mind set that people have thinking that that would be suitable enough to get a jump start here.

Beg, borrow, and steal if you really want to get here but if you're patient and have done your're due diligence, you won't need to worry too much. Still a lot of schools offering housing and flights. YOu just need to get here first, then suss out your next move.

Save up enough to live her two months, first, is my suggestion. Then you can take your time to actually interview your employers! Because in Korea, the school doesen't interview me, I interview them. Look at it from that perspective.

[caribmon]

I came over with my private jet, but I forgot to bring cash. Fortunately, I was able to buy one of the local banks and used it to wire some money over.

[Squire]

I think I had £500 cash and more in the bank when I got here. I remember in the last few days leading up to my first pay day I borrowed 5 man won from a friend, because I didn't know how to take money out using my foreign card