Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yo!Chingo]

Before I came here I knew to stock up a few things #1 being deodorant, American toothpaste, proper shampoo for my hair type, and (close your eyes boys) tampons. I went to the store and bought about 20 sticks of deodorant and got ragged on when I saw some friends there!!! I now have a wonderful nickname to boot.
What did you guys stockpile for this wonderful adventure in "Dynamic Korea"?

[JAWINSEOUL]

#1 Arm and Hammer Toothpaste
#2 Contact lens solution
#3 Deodorant
#4 English soft cover novels
#5 Raincoats for my friend
#6 lots of patience

I was in Korean in 2001 so I had an idea of what I wanted.

[Wangja]

Tea: real tea, black tea. Yorkshire Tea.

Toothpaste. Real tootpaste - Euthymol (and Eucryl toothpowder).

Indigestion tablets.

Pilot Hi-tech pens.

Beer. Real beer. I usually bring a case or two of Abbot or Old Speckled Hen.

Deodorant I buy here.


(As an aside, I was first with a French company and deodorant was on the list of articles not (then) available: I wondered how on earth the French knew that?)

[canukteacher]

Cotton underwear (nylon is awful in the humidity of summer)

Shoes (larger than a size 7 and you will find it hard to find shoes. Any that you do find are not well made)

favorite spices (you can get some here, but not everything)...if you cook

dental floss (if you like a particular brand)

deoderant (umm........yes, at last count I had 19 bottles stockpiled....Maybe I could set-up an online store to sell the extras )

If you have long legs I would recommend pantyhose, and tights (for the winter)

That's all I can think of.

Good luck

CT

[cubanlord]

black beans baby. Can't find that crap anywhere in this country.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Mexican spices.
Mint spices.
Root beer.
Sardines (hot pepper, lemon, etc.).
Computer scanners.

These things are difficult to find here.
Ken:>

[desultude]

I am here in the States now beginning to stock up for the next year-

My favorite ear plugs- a year's supply, plus. (Flints Ear Stopples- the best!)

Simple generic aspirin- (the huge Costco Kirkland brand bottle)

generic Afrin nasal spray, and generic Visine.

Shoes, of course. And cotton socks.

For my tall size- whatever new clothes I will need.

Favorite cosmetics and beauty supplies are always a smart idea. Mitchum's antiperspirant for the long Daegu summers.

At the last minute I am sure there will be yet another Costco run here to get things like cheeses, pinenuts, etc.

Okay, I know, it is too much, but there it is. Of course, not to mention spices, oatmeal (the good old fashioned variety), and if I am real lucky, some real old fashioned, unadulterated peanut butter.

[Grotto]

If you cook a selection of your favorite spices.

Clothes if you are a + size.

Pain killers as they dont prescribe them here.(I mean painkillers like coedine)

[Hollywoodaction]

[sheba]

Medication..... go to the doctor before you leave and ask for a general penicilin (like amoxicilin) for when you get sick. I got sick here and went to the doctor 6 times but I didnt get any better and they only gave me enough pills for 2 days at a time and kept changing my diagnosis.... luckily after 5 weeks of being sick, I went home for Christmas (at which point I was ready to die!!) and my doctor finally helped me to get better. He gave me an extra prescription (which I needed to fill before coming back to Korea) for next time I get sick here. Not to mention it might be a good idea to stock up on echinacia (spelling?) and Vitamin C for the winter...

Medication is my number one priority.

I brought pills for nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea, penicilin, cough medicine, throat lozenges, gastrolites (for dehydration)..... and probably a few others that I cant remember. Also a first aid kit with water purity tablets. Id say 90% of what I brought over has come in handy. I had a bout of food poisoning, the common cold, tonsilitis and I ran out of drinking water.

You can get deoderant here but it is super expensive. Makeup is cheap if you arent brand specific, although I find foundation is way too dark or too yellow for my skin colour. Might pay to bring some form of acne cream.... I broke out as soon as I got here and it took ages for my skin to come right.

Stock up on favourite foods or baking items.

Rewards for kids go a looong way. Very good for bribery and changing bad behaviours!

Bring lots of clothes if you are a plus size. Some thermals and a warm winter coat are essential. Also shoes if you are a big size. And tights as well.

I find that the toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss here are fine, and cheap.

Photos.... dont skimp on photos of your friends and family.

[cubanlord]

[mindmetoo]

Your favorite cold medication like neocitrin. Vitamins. Your favorite spices like montreal steak spice, taco powder, swiss chalet sauce packets...

[Dazed and Confused]

Bras if you are larger than a 34B
underwear if you've got big hips or thighs. I can't fit into the legs of korean underwear or they don't cover my rear end all the way even if they are the right size in the waist.
Alot of people have mentioned pantyhose and it is a good idea but I've found i can't wear hose or stockings in the summer because it's too humid. I end up going bare legged. You might as well save the room in your suitcase.
your favorite contraceptives. Extra spermacide for your diaphram. I have never seen a diaphram or spermacide in this country.
Astroglide or your other favorite product. Do you really want to call your mom and ask her to buy you some at walgreens and send it?
Nail files, cuticle creams, cuticle remover and other manicuring products-all very expensive here but polish can be dirt cheap if you can wear it for more than a day.
dryer sheets if you're lucky enough to have a dryer.
board games that use language-monopoly, bingo, boggle, twister, etc...all very expensive here.

[desultude]

[bluelake]

Parmesan cheese. I pick up a bulk supply of it.