Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BCgirl]

Hi all,

My husband and I are heading over to Korea in a couple of weeks. The first time for both of us.

Does anyone have suggestions of what books, videos etc we should bring from home? We are in Canada right now. I have seen what games might be useful to bring on a different thread. We just don't want to bring anything that we can easily obtain in Korea. Thanks everyone.

BCgirl

[Zyzyfer]

My unexpected lifesaver has been my photo album, actually. Everyone loves to look through it, and it makes a great way to bring up family, at the least.

[katydid]

Hi...

I would suggest that you bring as few things as possible. Having JUST moved here from California, and anxiously awaiting for the stuff I sent via surface mail, I would highly advise that you A) bring with you as little as possible....shipping is VERY expensive and you aren't allowed more than 2 checked bags and one carry-on for international flights. So, if you think you can do without it, leave it at home. (Unfortunately for me, this katydid is a bookworm to the core. However, after seeing how much the USPS charged to ship something overseas, by the pound, she is seriously considering dropping reading as a hobby and taking up something less cumbersome, like paper-folding. )

But I digress....

You will be able to buy ESL books here, but that may mean venturing into Seoul for a weekend. (If you aren't in Seoul, or near there, a trip may seem expensive at first, but then, think of the money you have saved from not buying things when you were at home and shipping them over!)

I remember going into Kim's ESL Bookstore in Seoul and saw that they had a LOT of games that could be used for the classroom (or for when you don't feel like playing Risk).

This same bookstore also sells a wide variety of storybooks and textbooks.

Also, find out what the school already has from the people you'll be working with first. That will save a lot of hassle too.

And I agree with Zyzyfer. Bringing a photo album, or a picture of your family, is a great idea. Not only can it help you for when you talk about families in general during a class, (and every class I have taught, from 8 year old kids to apathetic freshmen, are always interested in seeing my family.) it's always nice to have a piece of home with you in a foreign country.

I hope this helps you out.

Katy

[BCgirl]

Thank you all for responding.

I see that Seoul is mentioned a few times. What about finding things in the Busan area?? Since that is where we will be.

[OiGirl]

So, what did you end up taking with you, and was it useful?

[discostar23]

I was told to bring things like Flash Cards, Coins (they like looking at your money) Pictures of family, maps of canada, songs etc.

I got here and found out my school provided me with most of the stuff I brought. The only thing that has come in handy for teaching is the Coins and I have only gotten to use those once.

Oh people also said bring Maple syrup (I didn't hate the stuff personally) Becasue it makes a good gift for your director. It is good to bring something canadian for your director because it gets you off to a good start and from what I gather here in Korea first impressions are everything

[OiGirl]

It's great that, slowly, more and more schools are providing these materials.

I find that ESL/EFL/ELT materials are easily available, even more so than in many places in the US, but that the type of materials that English-speaking kids use are hard to get (but getting easier!)

Dollar store flashcards and coloring books still seem like a good idea.

[chinook]

As for weights of luggage when travelling-they don't weigh you.

Trousers with many pockets can be helpful-somethings are very heavy, but smallish. Stick 'em in your pockets and once you get past having your hand luggage weighed, you can put them in there.

I have also noticed that if you use a fairly small bag for handluggage, it won't be questioned. Have someone else hold it while you check in, say you are only taking your purse on. Then grab it before you go in. As long as it doesn't look too big, it won't be questioned-the only time this wouldn't work is when you fly with an airline that tags that they've checked your hand luggage, but that generally only happens with charters.

if you are nice enough, you can often get out of paying any overweight fees, or that has been my experience anyway-especially if you tell them you are moving overseas. Everyone has always been really symphathetic and just let me off. however, if you expect this to be the case, i advise going to the airport well in advance of the flight-check in people are more likely to be nice before they've had to deal with tons annoying people.