Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mkclimb]

Hi -

So I looked through the boards trying to figure out what exactly I should be bringing with me when I head out to Seoul in a few weeks to work with SMOE.

I think its pretty standard, but I'm trying to take as little as possible without leaving anything out, but feel like I'm looking at bringing too much.

I have a very large duffel bag, a small rolling suitcase, and two "crag-packs" (backpacks specifically designed for taking climbing). Seems a bit much, but

-

The absolute necessary things I'm looking at -

Clothes, shoes, toiletries, rock climbing gear (fills both the crag-packs), tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad.

The ones I'm questioning -

Sheets, blanket, pillows?
Books?
Some toiletries? I'm assuming just about everything should be able to be found in Seoul, yeah?

Advice appreciated.
Trying not to get caught at the airport arriving with more than I need and having to lug it around, but some of the things (i.e. any of the climbing gear) cost far too much in Korea to just replace.

[namerae]

A lot of toiletries are available in stores. I only packed travel-size for the few days I may be without a run to the store.

I've heard sheets are expensive (more than you would pay at home) but available. Bring a pillow or two. Forget the blanket, it's too heavy (unless you bring a small microfibre one like me haha).

I purchased an ereader so I wouldn't have to bring my INTENSE collection of books with me (I'm currently reading 8, and one of those is just one in a series of 7, you see how easy they can pile up!)

I'm landing in Seoul tomorrow. I'm packed to the brim, worried that I'm forgetting things, but don't have enough space for my life in two suitcases. Good luck, mk.

[MalFSU1]

I was really happy I brought sheets, because after being dropped off in my new town with an apartment that was left a mess by the previous teachers, it was nice to be able to at least put on my own clean sheets for my first night in my new home. The situation with bedding is a little strange here and they are quite expensive..I'm glad I didn't have to worry about it. I wouldn't bring a pillow though, they have them at Lotte, Emart, and HomePlus for cheap.

As far as toiletries definitely like 2 or 3 sticks of deoderant(the stick kind is quite uncommon, especially outside of Seoul) also I find the toothpastes here quite terrible, so I would bring a couple tubes. Shampoos, face washes, and soaps are all easy and cheap to find.

Lastly, if you are partial to any kind of medicines from home bring them. I have had my parents send me Nyquil, Dayquil, and Benadryl. Alot of new teachers in the country get sick quite often the first year due to stress and being around so many kids...it's nice to have familiar medicines around.


Good luck on your new adventure!

[toniyellow]

Second sheets.

Blankets and pillows can be found for an OK price but I have to find normal priced sheets anywhere. I was seeing ~30,000 won for one fitted sheet or 80,000 for a sheet set. And the cheapest sheets I found were plastic-y synthetic material, not cotton.

Unless they are going to put your luggage overweight I would really bring sheets.

Toiletries are the same here.

[NYC_Gal]

I found decent fitted 100% cotton sheets at Homeplus for about 25,000 won apiece. Not terrible. I got 2. Don't waste space on that.

You can get a sleeping bag for about 50,000 (I got one at half price for that) here as well, so that one's your call.

I packed my memory foam pillow, because they go for the same as back home (150-200,000 won). If you want a regular pillow, just wait and get one here (if the school doesn't provide a nice one already).

DO PACK:
Pepto pills (or any stomach meds that you prefer)
Benadryl (or your allergy med of choice)
Antibiotics (enough for a month of treatment/a few illnesses) just in case. Doctors here like to give out a few days' worth at a time, rather than your full 10 days of treatment, and last winter after a misdiagnosis, I called my doctor back home and he said take what he'd given me for 10 days. It knocked whatever it was (it resembled bronchitis but wasn't) out of my system in a few days.
Deoderent and toothpaste, if you have a preference. The choices are limited.
Thick socks for winter. They're hard to find.
Any spices you can't live without. Many of them are available, but if not, you're out of luck once you're here.
Condoms
Numbing throat lozenges for if you get a sore throat. I haven't found anything as good as Cepacol from home, and our jobs do involve talking...

I hope this helps!

[metalhead]

Books are heavy and can be bought in Seoul, so skip that. Clothes and shoes are important, Korean sizes are smaller and the fashion is, well, not something I would wear.

Also, as mentioned, bring spices that you like. I travel with two of those egg cup holder things as I like soft-boiled eggs. If I had my way I would've brought a suitcase filled with sauces as the main options in Korea are soy, Tabasco and A1, pretty grim pickings in general.

[GTG09]

I brought a lot of the Deodorant that I liked and enough toothpaste for 2 years probably and I am glad I did. Besides that I haven't really had trouble finding suitable replacements for anything back home except for shoes due to the fact that Koreans have small feet.

[sesyeux]

it's hard to say without knowing your preferences.
i don't miss anything from home. i like the fashion, the shoes fit, a lot of everything is cheaper...
the one thing i am glad i brought is photos/posters.

[climber159]

I caution against bringing sheets unless you know for certain what size your bed will be. Millions of Koreans go sheetless, it oughtn't be all that difficult for you to do so either.

Now, a general question that I'll probably get chided for. Where's the adventure in moving to a foreign country if all you're going to do is surround yourself with all the same comforts from home? My suggestion...bring a few things to get you through for the first month or so while you figure things out. Korea is not some undeveloped country anymore. Anything you want can likely be had, and it's oh so much more interesting and exciting to adopt new ways of living. My opinion, I know; but I hope other people share it too.