Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jstubley80]

Yeah, yeah.. Again I've read the stickies and used the frankly useless search button, but I'm after some more advice.

I'll be coming to Korea from the UK at the back-end of February, and am seeking advice on what to put in my measly 20KG baggage allowance.

As a fairly big chap, 6ft tall and in all honesty a little overweight (think the physique, or lack thereof, of a 1980's rugby-player meets a proffessional darts player), I will clearly struggle to find suitable clothes in Korea. As my folks at home would have no trouble in sending more seasonal clothing on the slow-boat, I was wondering what attire would be most suitable for my first few months in-country.

Once again, any advice on offer would be gratefully received!

Cheers!

[the ireland]

take tea bags and a lap top......personally i don't drink tea but the laptop is essential if you want to watch premier league / champions league football with english commentary....you can watch most of the games on korean tv, but it's in korean!! however the six nations has english commentary on star sports!!!

take plenty of the essentials like socks, boxers etc and shoes too, if you've got big feet you will need them cos they are hard to find!! and if you like brown sauce, bag it and bring it!! you will find most things in costco apparently but i have never been there and if you are not moving to a big city or near one then don't count on it being convenient to your location!! however most places have a homeplus and it is owned by tesco so you will prob be ok with that!!

enjoy it mate!!

[mountainous]

You probably won't find pants here so forget about that. If your shoes are 11 USA (45 EU) or bigger then you will not find your size on any cheap shoes selling in the open markets. You may have to go 2 a Nike or Addidas store.For the winter, being a tall guy here is what I would take along:

A couple of pairs of thermal undergarments. My pants are usually a 34 inch inseam which is rather long..the longest in Korea is probably around 30". The top layers are also too small. Some wool socks along w/some walking shoes..no need for snow boots. A pair of flip flops (slip on shoes) because everyone takes their shoes off indoors and everyone has a pair. Take some warm gloves, a sweater and a light jacket.

Now or when you get to Korea, grab a couple of collared shirts and ties. Carrying a briefcase may also allow you to score brownie points w/your Koteachers and gain Korean favor.

[madoka]

I was there last March. I didn't think it was that cold (and I'm from a warm weather state) and it only rained a few days for the month I was there. I know the summers tend to get very humid.

I'd bring a laptop if you have one or really any electronics you may want with the limited weight you have. People seem to have the most questions/concerns about shipping such items. As you mentioned, clothes can be shipped and unlike electronics, there seems to be few tariff/tax or damage issues with those.

[Straphanger]

Bring your own sheets and pillows at the expense of just about anything. You'll spend 1/3 of your time here sleeping. Do so on your OWN SHEETS.

Also, cut the "adventure" crap. Nip that in the bud. People coming here for an "adventure" usually end up peeled off the sidewalk on hooker hill at 7am with no cash, no credit cards, no ARC, and an 8am report time.

Please have adventures when you come here, but remember that you have a job to do.

[Goku]

[Ukon]

Just a reminder...the USA post office canceled slow boat shipping....

[Xuanzang]

Bring NyQuil and any cold/flu meds you like. You will get sick on the job

[asams]

i'm 6 feet tall myself, and if you have long arms you're gonna have a problem finding collared shirts. I wear size 34/34 pants and finding those are no problem, at least dress pants, cause they tailor them. but collared shirts with long arms are impossible to find

i live in uijeongbu, maybe in itaewon or other parts of seoul they have some, but they might be expensive.

[definitely maybe]

[sarbonn]

I am so glad I brought my own flannel sheets. So much more comfortable than stuff I've seen here. Bring a big fluffy towel, or several of them. You can find them, but sometimes it's not very easy until you've completely figured out where everything is. If you take any medications, bring as large of a supply as you can find. Going to a doctor here can sometimes be an "adventure" that you're not going to want to experience. It's not always bad, but you have a trial and error process, and it's just better to be able to avoid it.

Anything in the way of foodstuff you REALLY love, you should probably see if you can bring it with you, especially stuff that can last awhile.

Bring deoderant. A year's supply. Really. You can get soap here, but I've been unhappy with the choices. Finding Irish Spring is pretty difficult. Some of the other stuff kind of scares me, although you can find normally recognized brands but stuff you'd probably not normally buy if you had a selection of the stuff you're used to.

Books you really want to read. Sure, you can buy them here, and you can actually buy them from a place that delivers from the UK for really cheap prices (that's where I've been buying all my books) and the shipping is free.

As for clothes, you'll be able to find all of the normal stuff, although you might have a give and take with underwear (some successes, some failures). As for your size, the others are offering good advice, so I have nothing to add there.

If you play computer games, make sure to bring all of your software. Same thing with music. Make sure you have all of the music that you're going to want to have. Don't rely on someone to send something to you after you arrive. I'm still waiting on my desktop computer after a while of being here, and it's still stuck in customs. Sometimes, it goes through smoothly, and sometimes you end up with the customs people from Hell.

[kasain]

Well I reccomend a Belkin Skype wireless phone. It will allow you to call home for free ass long as you have an internet connection in your hotel or your own room.

People in England can call you for free as well.
The labtop yes, great idea.

Excidrin headdache medicine as tylonal is the strongest drug here without a dr.

It is hard to come by good coffee unless you have a starbucks by your house. Most korean coffee is like water.

[Bibbitybop]

[Goku]

If you're niched into any kind of style clothing, bring your own.

I have a.... "Femine" build so the Korean clothes here fit me quite well.

But if you're large and in charge, well then like bittybob said you should definatley bring enough apparel with you.

I don't think the clothes suck persay, but definately different from what you will find at home.

Oh don't bring too much summer clothes, but definately winter clothes. The winter selection is overpriced and not nearly warm enough for my tastes.

[Chet Wautlands]

Hey guys,

I'm heading back to Korea this week. This past summer I was able to find deodorant at E-mart. It was a spray deodorant for men.... Nivea, I believe.

Do they sell it in the winter?