Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cac142]

I'm moving to Gwangju in July to teach for a year, and I have heard a lot of mixed things about what to do with my cell phone and banking. I am going through a Canadian company, who suggests that we buy cell phones through them and use them in Korea. But a Korean exchange student I am friends with suggests that I bring my iPhone over and use it with a different sim card or something similar. And what about banking? Are all banks the same in Korea or is there a particularly good one? Thanks!!

[jenilyn8705]

Most Koreans in general seem to go with NH, but your school often just takes you to a bank and signs you up, so chances are it will be with NH. In general, they are all about the same though. Now, as far as sending money back to your home bank everyone has told me that getting a KEB single-one remittance account is best since apparently KEB has the best exchange rates.

I've been told that for in the US, the phones can't work in Korea but I've been told that Korean phone can work in the US with a new SIM card. But you'll really have to look into that one because that gets a bit complicated and I still don't quite understand how it works.

I guess I can say though that most people just seem to either get a phone through their school or get their own cell phone plan here. I've got my iphone currently through SKTelecom -- and they seem to be the only one that won't give you any hassle for being a foreigner who wants a cell phone contract.

Just out of curiosity -- what Canadian company are you going through? From my recruiter experience, you can't always quite believe everything they tell you because things change from the last time they really checked up on it. You don't really learn all the ropes until you actually get here.

[cac142]

I'm going through Adventure Teaching, though I have never met any of the of staff members face-to-face, it has all been email and phone communications. Thanks for your help, I'm still very confused, and I'm sure it won't become too clear once I get there either haha.

Adventure Teaching offers this site, TheArrivalStore.com, and I just was unsure if their prices were comparable or if they are a rip off!

[jenilyn8705]

Honestly, it's just part of their own marketing thing. I guess if you want to buy stuff beforehand or once you get here through them go for it but a lot of stuff is given to you. You'll already have a fully furnished apartment and for electronics all you need is an adapter (I bought one my first week for like 10 cents). You don't need new plug-ins or anything. Most of the time you don't even need the converter (like with a laptop... the converter portion is already in the cord a lot of times).

If you do need any furnishings or stuff when you get here you can get it really cheap from other foreingers since people are coming and going all the time. A lot of stuff just continues to get passed down through the years by ESL teachers.