Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sksahni]

Hey guys, I have been reading as much as I can on this forum and it's been clear to bring toothpaste, make-up, spices, deoderant, and some medicines (tylenol, benadryl, pepto). I wanted to know clothing wise, how many pairs of pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, shoes, and also house hold items it would be smart to bring. I really do not want to over pack, but I honestly do not want to be spending a lot of money when I do have a lot of stuff at my home now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Uncle Turk]

[empressz]

I'm also wondering the same thing as the OP, and while your advice seems quite reasonable, Uncle Turk, how much did shipping all that over to you cost?

[Uncle Turk]

I only mailed one box. Couple sweaters, one winter jacket, hat, gloves, couple books. I think it weighed around 20 lbs. I paid about 80-90 dollars if I remember correctly. I'm sure it would have been cheaper by surface, but my father didn't get that memo.

You're allowed 2 checked, one carry-on and a personal bag (laptop bag for me). I was able to get everything I needed besides the winter type wear in the luggage.

[empressz]

Thanks for the info, Turk.

As a young woman by myself, I'm a bit uneasy juggling so many large suitcases: what happens if the EPIK-promised pick-up service doesn't show up? So the less luggage I have to deal with, the better.

[isisaredead]

oh, it's that time of the week again, is it?

[Beavis Jones]

Remember, socks are important

Yeah...

[northway]

The need for the digestive stuff is a bit overblown, IMO. If you go to a pharmacy you can get stuff that's essentially the same as pepto, immodium, etc. They generally speak enough English to diagnose you and the stuff is pretty cheap, if not as cheap as you can get it at home. Basically, I don't think it should be a huge priority.

[tyrobinson]

Don't waste the space in your luggage by bringing toothpaste or deodorant. I know all the books you read say it's hard to find and expensive, but I found that wasn't the case at all. You might have to be flexible with brand names, but you won't be walking around Korea with a dirty mouth and smelling like a vagrant if you don't bring those things. Bring some kind of headache medicine, but everything else is pretty easy to find.

[SeoulNate]

If you are in a bigger city, or close to Seoul the only things you need to bring are:

1. Laptop: they are significantly cheaper in the states than they are in Korea.

2. Deodorant. I completly disagree that you will be happy with the brands here. Women might be okay since they have more of a selection, but it is really hard to find men's stuff here that does anything. And to be real about it, how much space does 4 sticks of underarm really take up?

3. Clothes if you are a tall/fat/muscular.

4. Headache medicine, whatever your poison is. Bring enough for a year.

[climber159]

Not that they're a necessity, but $2 bills make excellent gifts in Korea. Seems a lot of Koreans consider them to be lucky.

While deodorant can be found (men's and women's) it is more expensive and limited. So, yeah, bring it along.

Toothpaste isn't a problem.

Shampoo and other hair products are in general abundance in Korea.

If you have big feet, bring all the shoes/boots you'll need.

[sallymonster]

Bring sunscreen. The sunscreen here sucks and it washes off when you're swimming (even though it says "water resistant" on the bottle). The good Neutrogena stuff costs like $20 here. Save yourself the money and the sunburn pain and bring your own.

[SeoulNate]

[sallymonster]

[Died By Bear]

What to pack...

A little of this, and a little of that...I wouldn't leave without plenty of deodorant either...