Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proudman]

Hello everybody! I finally landed a position, and will be in the Gwangjin gu of Seoul early Wednesday morning.

I feel like a lot of the normal preparations have been overlooked or skipped because I only have 3.5 days to get everything packed and in order for this year long or more journey to the other side of the world.

I'm assuming that I will be able to bring two suitcases with me. That said, what are the essentials that I need to bring with me? I assume that the majority of the space will be for clothes and shoes. But what other items should I make sure come with me when I depart on Monday?

Also, do any of you have items shipped from back home? If so, who do you use? I assume it has to be ridiculously expensive to send items. But there is no way I will be able to take everything I want/need to take in two suitcases.

I hope I can get a lot suggestions from all you veterans out here. No suggestion is a dumb suggestion. I welcome them all. Thank you so much! I am on a VERY short time table!

[madtownhustl]

lots of deodorant, ibuprofin, and condoms if your a dude are the only big ones i can think of. the rest you can get here. clothes and whatever else is important to you i guess..look on the other million threads like this one...

[proudman]

Are condoms not readily available? Or are they substandard? Thanks for the info.

[hockeyguy109]

Korean condom sizes are extremely small. So unless you are a very..."unfortunate" man, they won't fit you.

BUT at homeplus (Wal-Mart type store in Korea) and a few shops in Seoul, you can buy regular sized condoms so its not a HUGE priority, but you might want to bring some just in case.

[proudman]

right on. thanks for the heads up. and i thank the good lord for blessing me in that category.

[ed]

4 days?

how is that possible these days? don't you have to jump through many hoops and get your E2 visa in your passport before you go?


couple things I wish I brought my first time: toothpaste, OTC medicine (for colds, stomach problems) and good quality winter clothes.

[hugekebab]

Just bring enough clothes. Korean clothing stores are crap and so is Korean fashion. Can be a real pain even getting a decent t-shirt.

[ZenMoto]

Deodorant is the big one but any sorts of medicine and special toiletries, etc... It'd be smart to pack an annual supply. If you're a big or tall person don't count on easy shopping for clothes or shoes.

[SeoulMan99]

What is too big? I wear a size 13, though I can fit in a 12 usually. I figure even a 12 shoe is going to be hard to come by? The thought of weighing my luggage down with shoes sucks. What size of clothes will it be hard to find? Waist size, shirt size, etc? When I was in Taiwan I was surprised to find sizes available which weren't expected.

[Whitey Otez]

Bring the things you won't find here easily or cheaply, like the above mentioned deodorant.

And about five or six tubes of your brand of toothpaste.

And Tums or Rolaids, unless you're 22 and don't plan on eating spicy foods or drinking too much.

And your local college or bar's T-shirts and sweatshirts. Unless you went to a big college, that'll be hard to come by.

Everything else is really here, if you get the hang of where to look.

You have a great location. My first job was in Gwangjin-gu, and I had a great time. There's a large shopping mall that will take up a whole afternoon looking at, and Konkuk is right there for a lesser-known place to have a good time.

Assuming you aren't working at Olympiad, you're in for a pretty good year.

[Cerberus]

[jiberish]

Bloody shoes and jackets

Korean sizes go upto 290 and I'm 300
Jackets go upto 105 and I'm 110

-_-

[bassist33]

Dude, you're in Seoul, don't listen to what these guys are saying about clothes and shoes. I am a size 12 shoe, 6'1" and wear size 33 pants. I don't have a problem finding what I need in Myeungdong or any other mall I come across. There are big and tall Koreans, too. I shop at stores like the Gap, Uni Qlo, etc. I never have a problem finding things my size. I can also find about any other western amenity I can think of in this city. Just remember deodorant, toothpaste with fluoride and anything else you don't think you can live without for the first month till you get yourself oriented. Honestly, if you need more than two suit cases you are either a girl or over-prepared. Remember, you are going to leave here one day and are probably going to have a lot more to take home than you came with.

Good luck!

[Cerberus]

[saram_]

Just bring the very basics.. one suitcase would be enough really..

You will be fine..

3 days is plenty of time to prepare..

I don't understand this thing about deoderant...
Whats wrong with Nivea deo..?? Its available everywhere.
You can get the roll on s..t too in Namdaemun and them places..

Also Ibuprofen is available at every pharmacy and there are about 5 of them on every street in Seoul...so no worries there.. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also clothes should not be an issue unless u are very very tall..

I am over 6'2 and weigh not far off 90kgs....and dont have much probs getting clothes... Size 11 (US) and under for shoes is quite easy anyway and jeans 36 or 34 down are easy to find.. Jackets(sweaters) etc at 105 down are easy too which is large enough for most whities...
Oh and yes the Koreans are just as tall these days anyway!!

It is easier if you are a guy anyway as I think you are...

Good luck..U will be fine.. Just bring the basics and have lots of fun finding and exploring the things that you "need" when you get here..

Any issues once u get here and just pop on Daves and lots of people will help you!!