Korean Job Discussion Forums

[StAxX SOuL]

Yea... so I finally sorted a position in Seoul!!!

However, I'm at a juncture trying to decide what I should take with me, and what I actually need...

I mean, clothes wise... what cuts it? I'm a couple of wardrobes and a plethora of cupboards deep in clothes, so obviously I need to be selective as to what I bring to Seoul with me... what will I be wearing most of and what things would I just never find wear for out in Seoul?

Gadgets... iPod, check... laptop, check... PSP, check... lol

Ummmmmm, anything else that you took with you on your move out which you found invaluable? Anything which you didn't take with you that you really wish you did!?


Input appreciated!

[billybrobby]

I know it's bad form to rag on a newbie like this, but honestly, dude, we've had like 20 of these threads in the last month alone. put in a little effort and you can find one.

and is it me, or is whitey flooding into this country like never before? seems like there are more and more total newbie threads.

[eamo]

Unless you don't mind lugging two huge suitcases to Korea (as I've seen some newcomers do) then only pack clothes for the season you're going to arrive. I don't agree with trying to pack everything you'll need for a full year.

Why pack a huge amount of bulky Winter clothes if you're going to arrive in Spring? Clothes are fairly cheap in Korea and shopping will give you a reason to get out and about.

Also, as I know you're British, you have to bring HP sauce, Colemans mustard and salt 'n' vinegar crisps because they can't be found here.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You don't have to travel far from the airport and you are only charged for weight, not space. I'd bring at least a year's supply of deoderant and several cases of Kraft Dinner. I'd also bring a nice chedder cheese, though your first week you might want to try Korean foods instead. Cans of smoked salmon would be great for the mid-contract blues.

The most useless thing I took was my blow-dryer. In one of my frequent laspes into stupidity I packed it completely forgetting that of course the electrical power-points are somewhat different here. Then I got my hair cut short enough that it would be useless in any event.

[chessmaster9000]

[kangnam mafioso]

Skip the Kraft Dinner. Say goodbye once and for all to bs American processed foods that are horrible for you.

Geez.

Don't bring cans of salmon. there are plenty of fish on the penninsula: koreans practically subsist on seafood. don't you know how heavy those cans of fish are? not to mention setting off every metal detector from incheon airport to city air terminal.

bring your clothes, some books, some money, some documents, some cd's, some pictures and eat the dang korean food!

there are restaurants flippin everywhere in seoul!

Adapt, mf********!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grotto]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Oh yes, second to whomever said documents. Bring three notarised copies of your degree and six transcripts.

The dictionary you can buy easily enough here, so I'd use my weight allotment on smoked salmon, personally. Vitamins and specific meds are a very good idea. DVDs for your classes are also an excellent idea. Make sure they have English closed captions. Bring a couple of blazers and ties if you're working at a public school or uni; otherwise clothes are very cheap - unfortunately in both senses of the term.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Grotto]

You can get Leonardos at Costco...not quite KD but close enough!

I second the notion to bring some DVD's(although most places can burn you a copy if you give them a list of the movies you want 5,000 won each...or less for bulk)

Spices, socks, underwear...unless you are a skinny assed, small footed foreigner....big socks are damn hard to find here.

Pictures of friends and family(helps keep you sane....didnt work for me but you've got a shot )

Get some Tylenol 3's with coedine, Korean doctors wont prescribe opiates in pill form.

Cold medicine, allergy medicine, asperin and a supply of your favorite non-squid flavoured candy.

[StAxX SOuL]

Thanks all...

I haven't been on the board for a couple of weeks so I didn't come across the previous incarnations of this thread... if only we had a better search function, the sheer amount of irrelevant threads mkes it tremendously difficult to find anything of worth!!

Food isn't a big one for me... I can't wait to get into Korean cuisine!!

[Son Deureo!]

Korean food's great, and I love it, but I'd still recommend bringing a few favorites that are easy to bring and store (favorite chocolates, something canned) for those times when you do want a taste of home. And definitely dump your spice rack into your suitcase before you come. Spices are hard to find and expensive when you do.

[tacon101]

if you think you'll need to buy shoes over here, maybe bring some dr schols (however it's spelled)...the korean shoes i've encountered have pretty bad arch support

[VanIslander]

Use the "search" command

at the top, near where you log in.

There are tons of great threads on this topic.

[diablo3]

If you ever decide to bring porn, better not declare it, because customs declaration will ask about it in its questionaire.

With Videos, it was uselss for me. I couldn't play my videos here because of Korea using a different format. I would advise not to bring videos. Better use CDs and DVDs instead, and buy them here also, they are cheap enough.

Just come light-loaded and buy what you need.

And yes, bring food you really like, it is more easily said than done to find what you have at home.

If you overbuy and have too much to carry home, just send it back box by box.

If you have a credit card already, then great. My experience for getting a credit card in Korea was simply not worth it, so I never bothered getting one. Maybe for someone else, it was a breeze. Depends where you get it really.