Korean Job Discussion Forums

corinthian · Joined: 21 Sep 2009

So I'll be leaving for Korea in a couple of weeks, and thanks to this forum I feel pretty prepared, but I'm wondering what kind of things people wish they had known before they got to Korea. Is there some Korean phrase or bit of Korean culture that surprised you, or some item from home you were shocked not to find in Korea? I've got the basics - when to accept things with both hands, bring lots of deodorant, and so forth - but i'm sure there are some things I've left out.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

That, plus all the other stuff in the stickies, should cover it for now. Welcome aboard.

One suggestions, as long as I'm here, would be to read up on Korean history and the Korean economy. Always looks good to be prepared.

corinthian · Joined: 21 Sep 2009

bliss · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Location: Gyeonggi

Stock up on deodorant b4 you leave.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

I wish that I had known how easy it is to get a new job and visa. Would have taken a lot of the pressure off.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

If you've done that much and you're thinking in advance, that means that you're coming with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Nothing more important than that if you keep it up. Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll do well. Remember, you're here to teach English, not make cultural converts.

Sausolito · Joined: 28 Jul 2009

Your first week or three you want have a clue what's going on around you so be prepared for that.

Eedoryeong · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Location: Jeju

I wish I'd known how difficult it would be to get good, reliable Korean lessons, as opposed to the crap lessons of infinite backpedaling I'd been subjected to for years by teacher after teacher. 'oh no, cross that out, I said it means that but actually it doesn't, it means something more like this...'

I'd have studied it before coming over.

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

While it's not something you need to remember to take to Korea with you, you should make a point of learning the bus system (in whatever city you're in) as quickly as possible. This will come to you easier if you already are capable of reading Korean as you will often find that the bus-stop names are pronounced the same in English and Korean.

Now, go read the stickies.

Kikomom · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:12 am Post subject:

Keep a couple extra sets of sealed transcripts on hand in case you end up applying for a new job along the way. An extra notarized copy of your original degree may help too. Then you can send it off for an apostille from Korea back to your home state without the hassle of having to find a notary in Korea. {Edit: This doesn't make much sense because the notary has to be from your home state to start with. Just keep copies of everything, it may come in handy later.}

Keep all your documents (including your original degree and copy of your passport picture page) organized and in a sturdy file--scanned and saved in a file on your laptop too.

Before you leave, set up web banking with your home bank so you can transfer money, pay your bills online (student loads, credit card, etc.), and check your account balances. Get a check card with your home bank that you can use as a debit card overseas. Take your most recent bank statement with you too. You will need the account number and bank routing numbers (from a check) to set up overseas remittance.

If you have complicated financial matters, think about getting a Power of Attorney made for someone you trust to help handle these for you while you're away.

The only thing Zippy ever asked me to send him was taco seasoning and Kool-Aid packets. If you like those, think about tucking a few envelopes into your luggage.

jmuns · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Location: earth

Kikomom · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:40 am Post subject:

Thanks Jmuns. If in doubt, walk in and talk to your home bank's tellers and get the numbers written down for you. Normally you have to go inside to set up web banking anyhow.

Take the bank statement with you because the Pension Office will need it when you are leaving (if you're from a country that gets the pension money back). Otherwise, you'll be waiting for a check in the mail from them.

DebEVoyager · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Location: currently USA, GA

Kikomom · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject:

That good DebE that you're preparing now on how to handle your money matters. So many people get there then ask how to send money back home.

Another thing, you can go to an AAA office and have an international driver's license made. That may come in handy if you're on vacation and want to rent a car.

Is anyone getting the N1H1 flu shot before leaving for Korea?

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007