Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamiekarin]

My boyfriend and I recently got ESL jobs in South Korea and we're leaving in 2 weeks. We are interested in finding out what is important to pack that you normally would not think of. For example, we have heard that we should bring pants and shoes (since they will be too small to buy there), personal hygiene products, make-up, etc. If anyone that has already done this has any advice/suggestions, please let us know!

[Milwaukiedave]

I really wish I'd asked these kinds of questions before I came 3 1/2 years ago. I'm just getting ready to leave and trying to clean up all the crap I've been hauling around with me since I got here.

Bring plenty of winter clothing as it does get pretty cold during the winter months. Same with Summer. Late May, June, August and the first part of September are pretty warm. It rains for about 4 weeks in late June and most of July.

I'm a size 280 (Korean size) in terms of shoes which is roughly a 10 1/2-11.

If you use stick deodrant (as I'm sure your boyfriend probably does) you should bring 3-4 of those. Pharmacies are not the same as they are in canada and the US and they have very few of the western over the counter medications and if they do you have to know what to ask for because it's behind the counter. Any medications you may use, I'd bring a couple of months worth. The same with makeup for you as you may need to shop around to find the equivelent of whatever type you use.

Bring some dress clothes as depending on what kind of place you work, you may have to dress up from time to time. Some places make you dress up everyday. It's best to ask the school what the dress code is in advance.

If I think of anything else, I'll add it later.

[bacasper]

[Fresh Prince]

The winter clothing is important to bring for many western people. The clothing in Korea is made for Koreans, not a large diverse population of people.

You can buy winter clothes here easily however they may not fit exactly right. I couldn't find a coat with sleeves long enough, no matter where I went. I'm sure that if I went to high priced department store they would have one but I think it would be less expensive and more convenient to just bring enough clothes from home.

You may want to bring a Korean/English dictionary and a good phrase book.

[Milwaukiedave]

Yes, you can find winter clothing here. But if you need larger sizes you may have to look several different places to find something that will fit you. I have bought some clothes here, but the majority of the clothes I have are ones I brought with me. I'm about 228lbs (100kg) and have lost some weight in the last few months. It is tougher to find clothes if you are bigger, but not totally impossible.

[daz1979]

[spliff]

Just pack a 9mm unless you want something for surety then pack a 45.

[bellum99]

Condoms...you are sure to get buggered.

[chronicpride]

[oneofthesarahs]

Oh, and make sure to stuff your suitcase full of spices.

[chronicpride]

Unless you're in a city with a Costco or black markets.

[piscin]

If you're larger than the average Korean girl, I'd bring bras. The biggest size they do in most shops here is a B....

[willneverteachagain]

condoms for sure, i took peanut butter becasue it's very expensive in korea, and stuff like montreal steak spice. i bought 20 things of blistex too because u cant find the round ones in korea, only the sticks and they suck.

oh yeah and u have to bring a year's worth of toilet paper because korea doesnt sell any

if u take anything decent for colds, i would bring that too because u wont find it in korea what u can buy at home and u wont be able to find ur brand of deoderant either

[willneverteachagain]

since im a male, i forgot to mention that u will need time of the month products as well

[kat2]

You can get Playtex here and plenty of pads/panty liners, unless you will be in a small city, then no tampons.

Bring your preferred brand of deo for sure and any cold medicines you might need, and you will need them, b/c you WILL get sick.

If you ahve a parent or friend at home that is willing to mail you stuff from time to time, then I wouldn't worry too much about what you need to pack right now. I get a care package of taco seasoning, makeup, underwear (Koreans love high waisted ugly crap), and whatever else I need from time to time.

Its gotten a lot easier to find what you need here in the last few years, especially in Seoul or even Busan.

I still can't buy shoes, unless I want to pay at least 60 or 70,000. So, I shop when I go home. I wear size 9US.

Same for pants. I'm too tall to find anything long enough, but I can buy skirts, so I survive.