Korean Job Discussion Forums

[onbeingtrue]

**I just now posted this in the General Discussion forum--and then I remembered that there's a travel section so I apologize about cross-posting!**

I leave for Korea in two weeks (it's my first time teaching over there), and as I begin to figure out how to pack, I wonder about the following:

For those of you who have already, or plan to, travel around for a while after your contract is finished (e.g., SE Asia, Oz, New Zealand--wherever!), what do you do with all of your stuff? I'd really like to spend a while traveling around after I finish teaching...

I spent 3.5 months backpacking around Central America and had no problem with carrying only one backpack and a smaller bag (a lot shorter time span then a year and much warmer climate, I know), but I don't think I can pack that way for Korea. Do you take all of your stuff with you? Do you leave it with a friend in Korea? Do you ship it home? Give it all away?

I'd love to know what you have to say. Also, I know there are tons of threads related to what to pack, but if anybody feels like sharing more on that I'll take it... Smile I'm still debating about two suitcases and carry-ons, a suitcase and a duffel and carry-ons...

Thanks!!

[asams]

Well, I wouldn't really worry about it this far in advance. You'll need to figure out whether you're staying in Korea after your year is up or if you're going somewhere else. Not to be a downer but you might decide that Korea isn't for you and leave before your year is up. Take it one step at a time. If you start looking forward to the end of the year before you even get here you're going to have a long 365 days.

EDIT for suggestions on what to pack: I would definitely bring some warm clothes (flannel shirts if you wear them, coats, especially if you're taller than 6 feet, have long(er) arms, are carrying a few extra pounds or have a barrel chest, etc.), shoes (if you have feet larger than 10 American then you're gonna have a hard time finding shoes), deodorant (it's crazy expensive here), some good books to hold you over until you get your first paycheck and feel a little more comfortable traveling out of your neighborhood, and an open mind and sense of humor. Korea and Koreans can be a little nerve-racking at times but take everything in stride and chalk it up to life experiences.

[summer33ny]

I think it's more important to worry about the things that you feel you will need for the year than to think about having packing light for your 1 month trip.

Shipping things home snail mail is pretty cheap ($4o for 40 lbs I believe) ... this is how we plan on sending home our clothes. We will be leaving some large items (like suitcases and household items we bought here) with some other foreign friends we made here who will be staying 2 years (in case we come to Korea again or they choose to bring the stuff back with them for us to pick up). Our laptops we will pay a couple hundred to have them insured and sent by air.

When packing for Korea, I suggest not to scrimp on clothing because you most likely will not find things here that you like or that fit you. Also Koreans are very obsessed with looking nice and first impressions are extremely important--so bring nice clothes! Really. Foreigners have a sterotype here of looking 'dumpy' or dressing inappropriately as teachers and it is true. My husband and I always dress nicely for work (even 9 mos in) and I kind of regret not bringing enough nice outfits because I had wrongly assumed that I could just buy them here.

Good luck!

[hapigokelli]

We are also planning an extended backpacking trip through Asia and Europe after our year in Korea is complete.
My philosophy on packing was to bring as many dual purpose clothing items as possible ie: yoga pants for working out and for sleeping in. I brought a lot of neutrals that work together for different outfits and I layer clothing instead of bringing lots of thick sweaters. It's worked well so far.

I brought one suitcase, one hiking backpack and one carry-on. The suitcase will be repacked and shipped home at the end of the year with anything I want to keep but not bring on the backpacking trip (or finger's crossed a friend of ours will fly back with it while we pay the baggage fees.) I also brought a good amount of clothes that I wouldn't mind discarding or donating after a year, such as an old coat that is still usable but not my favorite.

I second the comment on bringing books. I brought spices that I like to cook with (Old Bay, red pepper flakes, cliantro, etc.) but most anything can be bought here. I highly recommend good shoes. I brought some cheap ones from Target and regret it. I've literally walked the bottoms off of 2 pairs in 3 months having no car.

[megandadam]

anyone ever ship a PC home? (in my case thats canada).

would be a tower and monitor...if anyone has any experience, let me know what you did - or if it was even worth it.

thanks!

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I'm going to start shipping my stuff home little by little when spring rolls around and that way most of my stuff will be gone by the time my contract ends, then I'll take the rest with me on my journey.

[onbeingtrue]

Thanks everyone for sharing your insight/ideas... It gives me some things to think about as I pack.

Layers are definitely the answer

On a somewhat related note: Is it really that difficult to find shoes and pants over there? I am a female who is 5'8", shoe size is a 9 in women's... I generally wear a medium size in things, about a 6-8 in pants, etc.... Should I just assume that I won't be able to find much in Korea?

[bixlerscott]

You have to post it home as international flights not going to or from the USA only allow up to 20 kilos of check on baggage while flights going to or from the USA allow twice as much. I shipped a laptop in a box nearly 2 years ago from Korea and it made it OK in 2 months.
What you can carry on an airplane is not enough for a whole darned year unless you are going somewhere where you can get a good supply of a wide variety of things. I found the Korean retail shopping scene to be skimpy, too limited, and over priced. You can live without any imports, but it's annoying and uncomfortable.

Now, after 3 months of leaving Korea I'm still waiting on my boxes...

[summer33ny]

I am 5'7 pant size 2 and shoe size 9 and I have a really difficult time finding clothes.. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. The cute Asian girl clothes will not fit you--forget the high heeled shoes they all wear. I think the largest women's shoe size they carry is a 7-7.5. In Itaewon in Seoul you might have more luck finding something larger. You can buy things like sneakers and hiking boots for yourself easily (in men's sizes!) But after almost a year here, I haven't bought much.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

[toxicblue]

things are changing a bit in korea as far as clothes.. i'm 5'9 and a size 10 and i've been able to buy a lot of clothes here, though only at forever 21, zara, and uniqlo.. forever 21 has sizes xs-l in tops/dresses, up to size 30 in jeans, and you can find shoes in size 9 and 10, though you will have to search for them.. i've bought 2 pairs of boots this winter is size 10.. there's also a lot of mango stores and h&m is opening in february ..
one thing i cant find here is bras.. i'm a 36d and wasnt able to find any bras that werent overly padded or just plain ugly

[Chris_Dixon]

I posted my stuff home, shipping it is pretty cheap, eg 25 kgs to NZ is around 40,000w...I just wish i had thought to leave more than 1 pair of pants.

[PaulPizzazz]

just remember.. travel light, cause you can always purchase new things along the way.. sometimes quite cheaply.