Korean Job Discussion Forums

[valhor]

I'm leaving this Sunday, and would like any advice on what I should be packing Clothes wise at the moment. Any suggestions will definitely be noted as I'm open minded at this point. Please nothing about enthusiasm, patience etc.. Just material things here please.. I know this has been mentioned before, but every time I try to do a search it comes back with a blank screen.

So any help is greatly appreciated!

Example:

Sweaters: 6
T Shirts: 10
Jeans: 4
Shoes:3
Socks:12
(The more detail the better!)

Something similar to that is what I'm looking for here, or anything else you guys think that I should be bringing.

Thanks!

[I-am-me]

Dont forget condoms...you will need many!!!

[wishfullthinkng]

[GoldMember]

How many thousands of people have managed to come to Korea without needing advice on what to pack. Can't even pack a bag by himself. I give the person 3 months.

[DaHu]

6 SWEATERS? I don't even OWN a sweater.

[waseige1]

I am six foot and a little over 200 lbs. My shoe size is US 12.

I can't find stuff here to wear. I found one pair of pink tennis shoes in Seoul. Sorry, can't do pink shoes. I once found some ill fitting pants at Costco.

If you are a big person, bring all you can. I paid for an extra bag on my trip over. Best money I ever spent. If I would have had to buy the stuff and had it shipped to me as stuff wore out, well I would have spent a fortune.

[hagwonnewbie]

If you live in Seoul especially, you should have warm winter clothes.

Of course you can buy socks, gloves and hats cheaply here, but keep in mind the winters can last 4-5 months up here.

If you are small, you might wait to buy a coat, because small sizes are cheap and abundant.

[uklathemock]

It really depends on your height and build. I'm not that tall but I have broad shoulders compared to the average Korean, so I can't find a shirt that fits here. You seriously need a durable warm heavy winter coat. With the windchill, it is f-ing cold here for 4 months a year.

imo, sweaters are a bad idea here. The winters are cold as hell, but it's ridiculously warm indoors. Once you step inside, you'll be in an oven. For example, Koreans can wear shorts and T-shirts indoors during the winter. You'll be boiling in a sweater.

[young_clinton]

[AsiaESLbound]

I'd also bring some slacks/pants and long sleeve button shirts as well as one suit blazer or complete suit, one or two white dress shirts, brown and black leather belts, and a tie or two. While there isn't a well defined dress code, looking good is something important so many of us overlook due to how casual dress down Western countries have become. Good walking/hiking shoes are much more important than dress shoes, because you walk around often and then remove your shoes in schools for indoor slippers or sandals.

Roll up everything, except the suit in a lightweight garment bag, fairly tight into yuletide logs, and neatly pack into plastic bags to go inside your luggage, and you might fit it all in 2 check on and 1 carry-on. If not, pay about $125 for a 3rd bag, because it's a very long trip unless you arrange to have someone ship more to you after your arrival. The tailor made clothes and hiking gear are decent quality, but off the rack retail shopping leaves too much to be desired. I wouldn't wear jeans and T-shirts nor hoodies except on sports day and field trips and there is no idea about casual Fridays over there, but dress pants, belt, and tucked in long sleeve dress shirt without a tie seem to be adequately appropriate most days.

It's true that teaching little kids doesn't require business attire, but you'll command a high level of respect if you make a sincere effort to look good and be liked by students irregardless of how much of a highly qualified effective teacher you are or aren't. As silly as this might sound, I experienced the boss, co-teachers, and parents perception of how good of a job I was doing was based on my appearance, attitude, and the number of positive response, "hello's," heard at school and throughout the local area.

[crisdean]

Seoul... winter... cold... 4 months... what?

before considering what these people have told you, I would ask where you are from. If you're from a place that actually has winter, you know a place that has more than a handful of days with snow that can last for weeks at a time, you might find that winter in Seoul is rather tame, more a kin to a western Canadian autumn. I took the advice of all these people whining about the cold Korean winters my first year and wasted a fair bit of space on winter clothes I never wore. but yeah if you're from the southern states, South Africa, or some other warm place winter clothes would probably be useful for you.

Just my 2 cents...

[valhor]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I'm currently packing now, and already filled up the big suitcase.

For the guy who asked, I'm from Atlanta, GA. I came to Korea last winter during December, and it was FREEZING, at least for me. I didn't pack enough cold weather gear, so this time I'm coming prepared. I may be going a little overboard with it too. I'm 6'0, 150 pounds with size 11 shoes. I've actually bought all my clothes recently in preparation, I've seen name-brands there were a lot more expensive. So.. I just stocked up here on everything I'd want, to save some cash.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention.. I am going to Seoul (Dongjak-gu area), and this will be my first time teaching as I just graduated from school in May.

As a side note, is bringing 1,000$ with me enough to last me till my first paycheck?

Preparation is key for me.

[Canadian Saja]

[Chimie]

I always laugh when people talk about the super horrible Asian winters.

Yea, they're so bad. It might snow a few times over the course of 4 months. The worst winters known to mankind. =D

[Perceptioncheck]