Korean Job Discussion Forums

[unc tarheel]

I am moving to Seoul in July and I want to ship some things. I have a house full of stuff and I hate to have to buy these items all over again.

For example I love to cook so I was planning to bring, pressure cooker, toaster oven, crock pot and rice cooker.

Then I have books and winter clothes as well that I plan to ship.

So am I bringing too many things?

Thanks
unc Tarheel

[twg]

When all is said and done, it'll be cheaper for you to buy that stuff here... Well, I don't know about the pressure cooker, but everything else.

[polonius]

I think to accurately answer that question you would need to decide how long you are planning to stay in Korea.

Often you can buy appliances second hand for a decent price. You might even run into teachers who are leaving who are selling those things. Then when you go, you can sell them.

There is a great second hand book store in Seoul called What the Book. If you want to bring reading material, I would only bring your absolute favorites that you tend to read over and over. Otherwise, you can pick up many books for a good price.

I would bring some winter clothes, but not your whole wardrobe, unless you plan to be here for awhile. You can also get good prices on clothes here, if you don't mind knock offs.

Things I bring over everytime I come would be seasoning packages, such as gravy, hollandaise sauce, swiss chalet dipping sauce (if you are Canadian) marinades that you love... these sorts of things. Also, if you are partial to a toothpaste, you might want to bring a few tubes over. You can find Colgate here in the black markets, but at a higher price. I always bring a couple tubes. Also, things like Neo-citron or any specific medicines you are partial to.

My 2cents.

[unc tarheel]

thanks for the advice, my2cents I was planning on bringing some of the
seasonings and teas that i like, oh yes and I plan on hitting costco here before i leave one family pack of toothpaste lasted me almost a year and a half! So I should be good. I have friends on the army and navy bases in korea, who can help me out if need be.

I think I want to stay at least 2 years if I like the first and i think i will

Now can someone tell me why no clothes dryers in Korea?

[polonius]

I hear it is the cost of running the electricity. You can find them here, but it wouldn't be in a standard contract. There are even washer/dryer units that are all in one. Put the load in to wash, leave it in to dry.

[JJJ]

With all those appliances, you will need like 2 transformers to convert the power. It's 220V here, not the 110/120V (I believe) at home. I thought I could bring my blow dryer and just get a new plug......nope. It blew up.

You might need a transformer for your x-box, computer, camera recharger but forget the rest of the stuff. Leave it in storage, in your hope chest.

Have fun. And get your clothes on the boat now so it will be here when you get here.

[dogshed]

[djsmnc]

Shelter
Bedding

__Tent __Sleeping bag
__Ground cloth/tarp __Sheets/blankets
__Extra stakes __Pillow
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes __Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Axe or hammer __Air pump
__Mat for tent entrance __Repair kit for air mattress
__Dust pan/brush __Utility bags for storage


Basic First Aid




**The following list is only a suggestion of some of the supplies you should consider for your first aid kit. You should personalize your kit to meet your needs, activities and situations. The key to a good first aid kit is its usability. What supplies to include and how much of each item should be based upon your individual needs.




__Personal medications __Triangular bandages
__Roll bandages __Misc. Band Aides/bandages
__Adhesive tape __Anti-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
__Antiseptic wipes __Antibiotic cream
__Sterile gauze pads __Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Naproxin
__Cotton swabs __Hydrogen Peroxide
__Tweezers __Ace bandages
__Safety pins __Sunburn lotion
__Scissors __Burn ointment
__Bee sting kit __Snake bit kit
__Sinus medications __Eye drops
__Tissues __Poison ivy cream/cleansers
__Bug repellant __Heat/cold packs
__Sunscreen __Small flashlight
__Notepad/pen __Latex gloves
__Sterile compresses __Antibacterial soap
__Splinting materials __Thermometer
__Personal information/contact person __Coins for emergency phone calls
__Feminine products __Antibiotic soap
__Ipecac __Butterfly bandages
__Razor blades __Twine
__Plastic bags __Mole skin for blisters
__Small bottle of water __Road flares
__Blanket __First aid manual
__Other personal needs __Nail clippers
__Small mirror




*Take a First Aid class and a CPR class -- keep current on this information
*Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
*Keep the contents organized
*Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
*Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
*Keep readily available at all times


Cooking

__Large water jug & water bucket __Potholders/oven mitts
__Coolers/ice __Pots and frying pans with lids
__Thermos __Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Stove with fuel/propane __Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Matches/lighter __Tongs
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner __Skewers/grill forks
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc __Can opener/bottle opener
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill __Folding table
__Fire starters/newspaper __Dutch oven
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips __Pie irons
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls __Mugs/paper cups
__Silverware/plastic silverware __Mixing bowl
__Measuring cups __Cutting board
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil __Ziplock bags
__Paper towels __Napkins
__Trash bags __Dish pan
__Dish soap __Dish rags/towels
__Clothes pins __Scrub pad/brillo
__Cooking oil/Pam spray __Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Containers for food storage __Potato peeler




Clothes Personal
__Shoes/boots __Shower shoes/flip flops
__Jeans/pant/belt __Towels/washcloth
__Shorts __Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__T-shirts __Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Socks/extra socks __ Deodorant
__Hat __Comb/brush
__Bandana __Razor
__Sweatshirt/jacket __Feminine products
__Underwear __Toilet paper
__Sleep clothes __Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
__Rain gear __Camping shower/shower pump
__Swim suit/towel __Other personal items
__Laundry bag __Personal medications--take extra




Miscellaneous
__Sunscreen/chapstick __Flashlight/batteries
__Lantern with fuel/mantles __Pocket knife
__Extra batteries/bulbs __Plastic grocery bags
__Compass __Binoculars
__Bug repellant/candles __Rope/clothes line
__Whistle __Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Water filters/purification/treatment __Bungi cords/straps
__Camera/battery/film/video __Cards/games/toys
__Books/magazines __Duct tape/electrical tape
__Candles __Notepad/pen
__Maps/directions __Reservations info./confirmation
__Misc. tools __Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Backpack/fanny pack __Small shovel
__Fishing gear/license/bait __Safety pins
__Radio __Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Musical instruments/song books __Bikes/helmets
__Camp chairs __Travel alarm clock
__Sunglasses __Work gloves
__Hammock __Umbrella
__First aid kit __Hand wipes
__Tissues __Drinks/snacks
__Saw/axe __Small sewing kit
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps __Fire extinguisher
__Lantern pole or hanger __Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Collapsible drying rack __Scissors
__Popcorn __Watch
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Tell someone of your plans - give details of where you are going and when
you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.

[dogshed]

They say you can get all kinds of deodorant in Seoul but I live far from Seoul and for many personal items that you are picky about I think it's easier
to bring it from home. Dental floss is expensive. Throw a few packs in
your bag.

If you can find a dual voltage charger for your camera batteries then
all you will need is the plug adapter. Check your chargers and power
supplies to see what the voltage range is. The plug adapters are very
cheap. Most laptop have a dual voltage power supply that just needs
the plug adapter.

Some voltage converters can not be used with electronic items.

I bought a brand new cordless iron for about $11 at Emart. Don't
bring appliances. Buy them here and then sell them to another teacher
when you leave.

If your friends will let you get stuff at the PX then you are way cool.

Check your banks fees on incoming wire transfers using SWIFT.
You may want to get a different account before you leave.

[unc tarheel]

dog shed thanks , I guess I will leave everything except for the pressure cooker. My credit union is free for incoming wires. I just don't want to send from the states to korea 25 bucks!

I am the queen for bulk shopping at costco here so i plan on getting my favorite personal products before I go. I guess I will need to ck out home depot and lowes for those power convertors.

so i guess i should leave my printer?

ooh so many things to do and get rid of!

Any other advise?

[esetters21]

Bring me some Tarheel gear. Only kidding, it's easy enough to find here.

[Yo!Chingo]

Your favorite spices b/c if you can find them, they're expensive.

Your favorite candy b/c it's kinda limited here. They have good candy here but not that much Western stuff. Their take on the Snickers bar kicks ass though! Much better in my opinion than the real thing!

Lots of clothes unless you're considered a petite man or woman back in NC.

Shoes unless, again, you've got small feet. By small I mean say a size 7.

Some good ol' liquor if you can too. You'll pay through the nose for some good western booze.

A thick coat for the winter. It gets frigid here!!!

Deodorant. If you don't mind searching from here the eternity for it and then paying like $6 for a stick, then don't bring it.

Any specialty makeup ( if you're a female ), and nail polish. I've heard that K nail polish really sucks!

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I've been here for only a couple of weeks but have managed to find everything I wanted at Osan Airbase in Songtan, granted for a price. Actually, I've had a pretty hard time finding tylenol and tums. I'm glad I brought a big package of BC Headache powder and a 500 count Advil with me.

Really, you won't have to buy deodorant that often, and it doesn't exactly cost the world!

btw, a 1kg container of Folgers coffee ran me 10,000 won, but worth every penny. Bring a percolator/coffee maker if you enjoy *real* coffee. The stuff here is 99% sugar.

[intherye]

bring a sense of humor and an open mind.
leave your pride at home.

[Rteacher]

I've only skimmed this thread, but I don't think that anyone has informed her that there are Costco stores in Korea ...

(One thing that I couldn't find in Korea was decent denture powder - I brought over a bunch of Fixodent ...)