Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

I used to wear suits back in the states when working in retail stores, but didn't in Korea last year. My hagwon seemed very disappointed in me for being too dressed down. I wore things like Dockers and Polos or button down shirts and a suit for special occasions which I believe is reasonable attire for teaching young children. The Korean teachers often wore things like long T-shirts and other casual womens clothing.

Do you dress business casual in public school or are you dressing up? I will be in a rural/village area in Gangwon-do starting next week. I'm bringing 3 pairs of Dockers, 1 pair of jeans, shirts to match, and summer clothes to wear outside of work. No blazers or suits. I will get more things in Korea such as a Winter coat and indoor shoes. That airline luggage allowance sure is severely limited for a 1 year trip with the 2 pieces not to exceed a total of 273 linear centimeters on Asiana Airlines. That means one of max size of 155 linear centimeters or 62 inches with the 2nd checked bag only being a small carry on sized bag allowed on Asiana according to their website instead of 2 large 155 linear centimeter bags like was standard going to/from the states on any airlines. That leaves 118 linear centimeters for the 2nd check on bag or a measely 47 linear inches which about the size a carry on bag. I gotta have room for my oats, honey, coffee, spices, and supplements such as vitamins.

I will already have to pay $40 baggage fee since American Airlines does not have a free baggage allowance in getting to Chicago to catch my Asiana flight to Seoul.

[icicle]

It is probably worthwhile to look at what the cheapest option is going to be to get the extra things that you need to Korea ... It might be worthwhile paying for some excess luggage on the flight OR arranging to get some things mailed to you OR buying them after you arrive. You are right that a year is a long time to be away with what you can take with you in the normal baggage allowance. But you will find that some things you can get easily after you arrive.

[big_fella1]

Be greatful you are not flying from anywhere other than North America. 1 bag at the most 20kg. Some cheap nasty airlines actually weigh your carry on as part of this.

[Stormy]

I always wore reasonably dressy clothes for work when I first got here but the teachers at my school often wear t-shirts & those 'fashionable' jeans with rips and patches all over them.

So now I wear what I like - some days I wear a nice shirt, jacket, dress pants or skirt but other days when the mood takes me I just wear jeans and a t-shirt.

I work at a public school though so there's no pressure to keep the clients happy. The senior staff always wear suits & comment whenever I 'dress up'.

The airline I came over with had severe weight restrictions concerning baggage so it worked out cheaper to get a parcel of stuff sent to me at a later date (clothes & coffee).

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

wear what they wear.......i wore suit pants, shirt and tie when i first came - first impressions, esp. for public school....still do now because the teachers here wear suits. so im 'under dressed' without the jacket, but still not to casual.

[ytuque]

Mail some things! It will improve your quality of life for the year, two, or however that you will be here.

[aarontendo]

At my school last year it was very casual. Imagine my surprise when I had two months left of my contract and the principal called me into his office and told me that I can't dress the same. His exact words, well through translation "You're a foreigner so everyone looks at you, you must wear suit every day".

These days it's too damn hot to wear a suit, rolling in polo's and slacks for the most part.

[Jandar]

I refuse to wear a suit with slippers.

It just ain't right.

[yoja]

You've gotten some good advice regarding what's appropriate to wear. I would echo the advice to mail some things (shoes, coats, and any other bulky items) The post office (USPS) offers a flat rate international priority box to Korea. The large size is $50 and there are two smaller sizes for $40.

It's also possible that you would be allowed to carry food items on the plane without it counting toward your luggage limit. Most airlines allow this, but you should check first. Another teacher I know always brings a pillowcase full of candy and food back from the US every time he goes home, and it does not count toward his luggage allowance. Make sure to pack all food items in a separate bag, though. Pack it with your underwear and suddenly it becomes luggage.

Does your flight have a short layover in Chicago? Most domestic airlines will waive the extra baggage fees IF your domestic flight connects to an international flight (ie, no extra charge if, for example, your flight is from Kansas City, connects in Chicago, then on to Seoul). If the two flights were booked separately, you might be out of luck. You could plead and beg, and show a copy of your flight from Chicago to Seoul, too. It never hurts to ask.

I really like these bags:
http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/3/products/10-big-oxx-expedition-series

They are a little costly, but their guarantee is for life, no questions asked. That particular bag is exactly 62" and it packs like Mary Poppins' carpet bag. The capacity is 7,680 cubic inches. You can fit a lot more in it than you can fit in traditional wheeled suitcases.

I learned another helpful little trick from the airlines when I flew to Korea the first time. My check-in time was early--I think my departure time was a little before 7 am, and I was flying through Chicago and then on to Incheon. When I checked in, the attendant checked my bags so they would be routed to Seoul, but then told me that she was supposed to charge me because although my bags were fine for the domestic portion of my flight, they were too large/heavy for the international flight. She told me she couldn't charge me though, because my check-in time was too early and the Korean Air agent/department responsible for collecting the extra fees wasn't open until later. Ever since then, I've always taken the earliest flight I can get, even if it means a 4-hour layover in Chicago. I've NEVER paid extra fees for my bags, and they are almost always over the limit for the international leg of the flight.

Anyway, I'm far more prone to overpacking than I am to underpacking, myself. Those are my tricks. Hope they're helpful to someone else.

[spliff]

Got anything like this?

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[Bryan]

Just bought a ticket, Air Canada Vancouver to Seoul direct, and its free for the first 50lb bag and $25 for the second. I'm definitely bringing 100lbs of clothes.

[sojourner1]

[Stormy]

[bassexpander]

I was just looking at the American Airlines baggage allowances last night. I purchased some new luggage online, and wanted to make sure it fit:

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

[Mr. BlackCat]

I realize you'll be in a rural area, but it should be the same if not cheaper down there to get custom shirts made. Here in Seoul you can go to Itaewon and get a nice enough one, fitting wonderfully in the fabric/colour of your choice, for $25. Get a week's supply for $125. I guess shirst don't weigh much, though. You could do the same with pants (not sure on price).

In my PS I started with a nice shirt and tie with dress pants every day, now I've moved to jeans/dockers and button up shirt with no tie most days (and I'm still more dressy than most male teachers). When it gets to be cooler, I'll opt for the tie again. Ties are also a dime a dozen here, so no need to worry about that before hand.

My main problem is always shoes. I can't seem to get good, nice, reliable shoes of any kind (work, casual, play) here in my size. That takes up most of the weight for me on every flight back here.