Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cazador83]

Sorry, I'm sure this is an annoyance since this is kind of a stupid question... but I'll be moving to Korea in just a few days, and I was wondering if there is anything specific I should be packing with me? I'm sure there are things that you guys forgot, or wish you would have taken?

Also, I know I can only check 2 bags, so how much clothes did you take? Did you buy a lot of clothes there?

Any help is appreciated

[endofthewor1d]

pack stuff with sentimental value that you don't want to be without for a year. don't overburden yourself with too much. instead, bring money. there's not a lot back home that you can't get here. you'll survive.
i brought all kinds of ridiculous shit when i first came here. it only serves for more hassles to, in, and from the airport. good luck.

[inspector gadget]

toothpaste

books

hand held games if you are teaching at a public school

I brought a tent, sleeping bag etc. I do a lot of camping here

photos from home

computer, camera

clothing, just the basics, you can buy pretty much everything here

I would come with shoes though, the stuff here fits differently and the sizes could be problematic.

first year I brought my own pillow, didn't this time, wish I would have

spices, spices and spices I brought a years worth

also bring some common medicines that you would normally use

I brought my beer mug, glad I did

trinkets from your country, stickers, pins, coins etc, kids love that stuff

those are some suggestions

[cazador83]

[peppermint]

Toothpaste- Koreans don't really like mint, so I'm sure their toothpaste works as well, just doesnt give you the minty freshness. Up to you really.

Deodorant- not impossible to find, but difficult and expensive.

I wouldn't bring a lot of books- there are some decent bookstores in Seoul, and one that has free delivery Korea wide.

Clothing- depends on your size. If you're tall, round or curvy- bring lots.

[inspector gadget]

I tried korean tooth paste once, never again, its just not the same, taste wise

hand held games for public schools are for you not your students, in the public shools, you are required to be at the school from 9-5 but I am only contracted to teach 22 hours a week (rarwely exceeds 18 though), do the math, you have more time to sit at your desk and do whatever you please, surf the net, read a book etccc. than you do teach

Shoes, you have narrow feet and size ten or eleven, i suggest you bring shoes, you may find stuff in the the larger centers but it may be like finding a neddle in a a hay stack

[cazador83]

awesome, thanks again guys.

as for clothes, i'm pretty thin, so i figured i wouldn't have a problem, but will being 5'10"-11"ish and thin be a problem for finding clothes?

[blackjack]

shoes if you are in seoul will not be a problem, you might not be able to shop at the super cheap places but you should be sweet, only if you have wider feet will it be a problem, clothes i haven't had to buy any over here, but you are the same height as me and there are plenty of koreans taller than me, and they all wear clothes, so i am thinhing no probs

[Qinella]

I'd recommend:

- Floss. The only kind I've found here is the horrible thick rope that comes apart in your teeth. Abysmal.

- Pillow cases. The ones I got were like blankets. I was glad I brought mine.

- Taco Seasoning packs and a few packs of tortillas.

- If you're a magazine fan, bring plenty of your favorites. It's impossible to find a good magazine here that doesn't cost $15 or more.

- A big bottle of ibuprofen. The stuff in the pharmacies are individually wrapped, guaranteed to induce enough stress to necessitate a double dosage. I've also been to some pharmacies that don't carry it.

- Any other medicine you've used in the past year or so.

- Voltage converters, if you're bringing anything that requires charging. You can find the converters at Radio Shack or similar stores.

[blackjack]

[peppermint]

flour tortillas and magazines are more available than you think. Flour tortillas are at costco for about 3,000W, and Whatthebook just started bringing in magazines at lower prices.

[ilovebdt]

[mindmetoo]

Deodorant is worth its weight. Books as well if you read a lot. Waiting for/riding the subway can mean you clear through a lot of books.

If you're Canadian and you like that neocitrin cold medication, bring that.

I'm not discerning about toothpaste and have no issues with the toothpaste here. There aren't any personal care products you need to bring other than some travel sized stuff to get you started.

Mail your summer clothes to your school.

If you're bringing your computer, bring all your install disks and driver cds.

Get a costco card in your home country if you think your one year might roll into two or three years here.

Get those vacuum space bags to pack everything.

Buy a cheap gross of multivitamins. Buy a cheap gross of ASA.

[inspector gadget]

Can't believe I didn't mention this one earlier.

Condoms, if your a guy or a girl, but especially if your a guy.

Tried a few from Korea and lets just say they are not good for several reasons. Bring a bunch, that is if your planning on sexual activity

[mindmetoo]