Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NYCESOL11211]

Everything I wasn't willing to ship home, I gave away. The wine glasses, spices, choice books, teaching supplies (good stuff) I offered to the two "friends" I made first. The other stuff I thought others might want I brought to the Hogwan in boxes on my last day of work. Gave it all away.

Most of my coworkers who left during my tenures had "sales" to get rid of toiletries, kitchen items (even canned veggies), and Dan Brown books.

Did you give your stuff away, or did you try to make an extra 10,000 won before you left? If the latter, how much did you get for the second hand copy of The Da Vinci Code (the one you "borrowed" from the hostel in Indonesia) with its tattered pages?

[AgentM]

I'll be heading in the opposite direction, to Korea.

I'm lucky in that I don't have much stuff right now, less to get rid of when I leave. I'm planning on giving away most of my stuff, and maybe boxing the few things I have left that I want to keep for shipping over later.

[bixlerscott]

I tried to limit my shopping as I know from experience that we're not really home and there's really no rental storage lockers to use for 2 to 4 months between jobs. Souvineers I bought, I am posting home. Trying to sell a few things.

You can sell things. The problem with that is in August and February, many are leaving at the same time you are and the newbies havn't yet arrived as they will in September and March, but a few hagwon and university teachers as well as maybe a few Koreans are in the market on Daves.

[OnTheOtherSide]

I gave some stuff to homeless people in my neighborhood. Left some stuff on the street and watched adjummas take it minutes later. Left some stuff in the apartment for the next teacher.

Overall, I just didn't buy much at all. The only souveniers I brought back from Korea are a bunch of trinkets and small things, another tattoo, a leather jacket and a stack of cash.

[bassexpander]

If it's something big, and somewhat useful, the recycle people will grab it, if you call them (and they want it).

The other stuff... same as what other posters said above.

[Manner of Speaking]

Word of advice: although it may be financially difficult, if you're only planning on staying at your job for one year - and you don't think the gig will turn out to be dodgy - the time to buy relatively pricey stuff - DVD player, stereo, etc. is when you first arrive. That way you get the maximum use out of it in your 12 months here.

[the ireland]

gave away all my stuff to the people moving in to our apartment when we were leaving. Two bikes that we bought, food, spices, phones, etc etc.

we also left them a dvd player, surround sound, toaster oven, and a few other things, but these had been left to us by previous teachers.

I wouldn't buy anything of a past teacher, unless it was something they had spent a considerable amount of money on and I would get great use out of (tv etc) I think it's always nicer to give your stuff away.

a friend of mine got an e-mail from some current teachers before she went out to korea, offering to sell her some "great things at a knock down price" these included used towels, used candles, used plates and cutlery, bed sheets etc........I told her not to bother with their oh so generous offer!!

[OiGirl]

This *is* really home, but will ship home books and clothes and give the rest to the friend who will take over our apartment.

In the past, have shipped a cubic meter crate and also sent home a whole household by box through the post office. Still enjoy some of the odd household stuff I picked up in 1995.

I'm really, really bad at leaving Korea "for good."