Korean Job Discussion Forums

raulfd4 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008

probably be opening up a thread that has been done before. any links to better ones would be a great help.

i'm leaving for korea in a month. i don't need to know what to bring but WHAT TO DO.

where should i put my money, should i keep my US bank account, should i get an online savings account, international cell phone, ANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. don't want to leave any loose ends here.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I will also not read the Frequently asked questions (FAQs) because I am such a newbie and it is easier to make rude comments about the bbs than to do my homework.

FAQ
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewforum.php?f=7

Getting Organised to Come to Korea
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20653

Keep your bank account to wire money home to. Make sure you have all the bank codes for an international money transfer into it.

Bring enough money to see you through your 1st month. Most newbies don't get paid for 40 days or so AFTER arrival.

Bring an open mind. This is NOT Kansas and the rules ARE DIFFERENT.

Bring your favorite toiletries (because the brand you like may not be available here).

Bring your favorite spices for cooking (assuming you can cook).

DON'T bring a shiny new phone. You won't be able to get a local number for it. The system here is CLOSED to foreign phones.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Welcome to Dave's!

raulfd4 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008

didn't mean to be rude...did t read the FAQ, was just trying to be funny. i appreciate the service here and thanks for your tips! Smile

keep em coming...especially about money management!

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Open an account w/ Hanna bank, they're the best.

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

Just go to your bank and tell them what you want to do. I opened an account at Bank of America shortly before I left. When you transfer money home from Korea (I recommend using KEB bank in Korea) you will need:

*Your account number

*Routing number (for deposits)

*The bank's swift code

Be sure you can access your account and pay bills online. You may need to set up your pass code / etc at the time you open your account. BoA's website makes it very easy to pay bills every month, or to send a check to someone if I want to.

Ask if you can use your ATM card in Korea. I had to have the bank call somewhere so they could grant access to my account from Korea. Otherwise they don't automatically allow your ATM card to work because they will assume it's been stolen...at least this was true in my case.

Then again you might not want to take your bank card with you if you don't trust yourself to save money!

Again, just talk to someone at your bank and tell them exactly what you plan to do and they will be happy to accommodate you. Have fun!

Hank the Iconoclast · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

The FAQ helped me out big time when I first came to Korea. Use it!

bakagai4649 · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Location: Dongducheon

For calling home you can open a Skype account for free/ cheap I got a phone number in the states that people can call for free and I can call from my computer to any number in the states for .02 cents a min but it's free for web to web

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

bring your pillow and a blanket if you have any room. i'm so glad i brought my own.