Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Guys,

So, I've signed a contract and am set to leave for Korea in about 30 days. I have a few questions to ask:

1. What is absolutely necessary that my apartment will not have provided?

(I.e. I'm guessing I need to bring my alarm clock, cell phone charger, etc.).

2. What foods, computer tools, books, etc. will I need?

(I.e. I've heard peanut butter is obscenely expensive, etc.)

3. Is there any frequently used phrases of Korean I should learn in a short amount of time?

Thanks for the consideration.

[andrewchon]

1. Different power plug (2 round pins here) so alarm clock is a dead weight. Yo' cellphone may not have a coverage here so that's another dead weight. One thing I can't easily get in Korea is the cigarette rolling paper.

2. Peanut butter is more expensive but I never thought it was obscenly so. Only very uinique foods such as hominy grits, vegemite, or black pudding is out of sight here. The rest or the substitute of are available here. As for computers, your school will probably provide you with one. If not, get a labtop here. I bought one for 800,000 won. They come with Korean language software installed and that'll help thee wit' the climatization.

3. I'd say learn to read Korean first. That'll take about 2-3 hours. Next, get in the habit of bowing. Not the Japanese bowing at the waist but a small head bow pivoting at shoulders, that'll remove the need to learn many phrases. If you have a Korean phrase book, learn "how old are you?" This will be useful when working with people about your age. If they are obviously older then give respepct. If they are obviously younger, then don't give them any respect at all.

[sojusucks]

Don't pack peanut butter. You can get a large container of it at Costco at a decent price. Do you like any special spices or seasonings or any other foods? Post and someone can tell you if it's available in Korea.

Bring deodorant, ibuprofen, jello or pudding mix, Crystal Light, and is there anything else I'm forgetting?

[Hokie21]

[sojusucks]

Don't forget clothes in your size. If it becomes too much for a suitcase then pack more in a box and have someone mail it to you after you arrive in Korea and get your new address.

[sojusucks]

[hossenfeffer]

I'd like to be the first to say:

BRING DEODERANT!!! As much as you can fit in a suitcase.

(tongue firmly implanted in cheek)

[Hokie21]

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

Pack some balls. Make sure and use 'em when you deal with K-employers.

[pangaea]

Bring your laptop. They are outrageously expensive here and it might be difficult to find one with English windows.

Why would you bring your cellphone charger? Your cellphone most likely won't work here. You will need to get a phone after you arrive.

Alarm clock? Dead weight and inexpensive to buy here, so why bother?

You can easily find peanut butter here. It is expensive, but not unobtainable. Don't bring a heavy jar of peanut butter unless you are an addict who can't live without it for a few days before you make it to an E-Mart.

Bring spices from home if you like to cook. Pepper, salt, basil, oregano, curry powder, and cinnamon can be found at E-Mart/Lotte Mart/Home Plus. Anything more exotic will likely be hard to find. The only place I have seen taco or fajita seasoning is in Seoul.

Bring a few towels and washcloths if you can spare the room.

Bring some meds, like ibuprofen, allergy pills, pepto-bismol, and immodium for when you are adjusting to Korea and your body doesn't like it.

Bring your vitamins if you take them.

[kenglish]

OP reminds me of the movie About Schmit.

[ajuma]

Bring a flat queen size bed sheet. It can be used for multiple purposes. It can be used as a curtain, a table cloth, a bath wrap and of course as a sheet! Sheets are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive here!

I brought a twin sized top sheet with me on my "second round" here (1997!) and still have it and use it!

That and a full-size towel (Korean towels are like dish towels!).

If you're Plus sized, bring enough clothes to get you through a year...Korea has 4 seasons!!

As for food...unless there is something that you don't think you can live without for a year....forget it. With some work, you can find/modify almost anything!

And yeah, DEODORANT!! If you use a stick, 4 should be enough to get you through a year and then some.

And as previously said, any OTC meds that you might take...like Tylenol. Tylenol PM and NyQuil! Bring one of each!

[Xylox]

Pretty much everything that is available back home is available here, it will just be a little difficult to find due to language barrier. Anything that you cant identify just by the look of the product you may want to bring (so, meds or what not).

I recommend bringing cosmetic stuff, toothpaste, deodorant, any musks you like and stuff like that.

[Summer Wine]

I would say seriously if you can afford it, a return ticket with a 6 month limit.

With hindsight that would be the most important thing to bring to korea or a bank account with enough money to go home if it doesnt work out.

You may laugh, but with hindsight and experience, that would be the best thing to bring to Korea.

[sojusucks]