Korean Job Discussion Forums

littlemisssmiles · Joined: 27 Dec 2007

Hello,

I am coming to Korea next month for a year. I am trying to determine what I need to stockpile and bring with me, and what I can easily buy when I am over there (for reasonable $). FYI, I will be located in Anyang.

- Dove deodorant
- Crest Pro Health Toothpaste
- Venus razor blades
- Dove shampoo & conditioner
- Visine eye drops for contact lenses
- Tampax compak tampons
- Alesse birth control
- Sunscreen

Any help is appreciated! Thanks Smile

EDIT: Thank you for all your help! One more question, about sheets. What exactly is different about them? Should I bring a whole set, or just a top sheet (which I think is the part missing). And, is a single bed in Korea the same size as a twin?

Darashii · Joined: 08 Jan 2008

http://www.divacup.com/

rD.NaTas · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Location: changwon

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

rD.NaTas · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Location: changwon

i know i was very dissapointed in finding i didnt need to buy a years supply of colgate or old spice deodorant

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

You should be able to find most of those, or if not, a good replacement.

You definitely don't need to bring a supply of birth control. It's easy as pie to get it over the counter here (assuming we're talking about the hormone pills). Cheap, too.

NightSky · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

Bring what you want, especially if the brand name is important enough to you to list it. Korean versions of stuff often suck (in general) and who wants to track down expensive, marked-up stuff in the black markets if they don't need to?

MWiens · Joined: 10 Jan 2008

Hi!! I just came here 3 months ago.... I brought a years supply of birth control ( I didn't want to be bothered with potential mandatory Paps in a foreign country etc etc... BUT I have been told they are easy to get OVER the counter (just google it))...
I also went to costco before coming here and bought as many tampons as i could fit in my suitcase! HAHA YIKES
You can easily buy them here... Although they are about 10$ for a 10 pack (so that puts it at nearly 1$ a tampon) give or take of course (they are basically DRASTICALLY more expensive AND only have one or two types.... very rare)
I also brought 4 or 5 sticks of my favourite deordant (antiperspereant is rare here as well).... I felt I had better be better prepared than not.
They have tons and tons of dove shampoo and conditioner (and it is VERY cheap.. i got THREE HUGE bottoles - not like in the western world but BIGGER plus two extra small ones (hehe the sales lady opened the box and through in an extra one for good measure)... for 10$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its amazing:)
Razors a plenty here... Altho i have to admit I have yet to find woman's shaving gel... So i just use good ol fashioned mens:)
Hope this helps!
sorry for the ridciulously long post!

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Birth control is over the counter with no doctor's appointment or prescription necessary.

Tampax compact I haven't seen, which is my preferred brand at home, too. You can get a Korean brand of tampon called tempo which isn't bad, and I've gotten Playtex gentle glides, but those are the only two brands I've seen here. Unless you are SUPER picky, these brands will be just fine. A year's supply of tampons takes up way too much space.

Dove deodorant and shampoo/conditioner are the most prevalent brands you will see everywhere.

Bring about 4 tubes of the toothpaste with you, cause western brands aren't AS easy to find, but it can be found in the black market areas for a high price.

Razor blades, eye drops, and sunscreen will be no problem. Korean's like to be really pale, so sunscreen is everywhere. Bring one bottle of visine to last you until you find where to buy more.

Good luck.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Do you find that Dove shampoo and conditioner in Korea are the same as in western countries? I have tried them a few times in a quest to find something "appropriate" for caucasian hair and been quite disappointed. Also the moisture milk leaves a lot to be desired. I've never used these products in the US.

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

bejarano-korea · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Bring your sense of humour... more cretins per square mile than even the shit tip where I originate!

Dome Vans · Guest

Having just back after christmas. I loaded my suitcase with ibuprofen, aspirin, lemsip and throat sweets. If anybody stopped me it'd look like was trying to commit suicide on a grand scale.

Make sure you bring bed sheets and duvet covers. My bed is so sweet now after I remembered to ring them back with me.

And indigestion tablets, and if you can get hold of it Acidophilus tablets should get your stomach used to the food in the first few months.

Flash Ipanema · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul

Razors are here but they're damned expensive. I'm planning on bringing quite a few things from home for my second contract just because I'm picky about what products I use, they're cheaper at home and don't take a lot of space. Or mail them if you don't need them immediately.

I arrived with 6 months of Alesse and switched to Mercilon when I got here. The hormone levels are very similar to Alesse and I haven't noticed any changes since switching. Also, it's about $6, so I'll be stocking up before going home so I don't have to worry about paying for pills at home without insurance.