Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shamash]

probably forgetting to pack? I've looked at a few lists but I really can't think of anything besides the obvious: clothes, electronics and chargers, 6 plug adapters, personal hygene items...

Do I want to have more casual or more formal clothes? I guess I should bring a towel.

This is probably overasked and I'm sorry, I'm just stressing really hard because my visa came in today, and then my recruiter asked if I could leave tomorrow morning at 6:30AM which was in 12 hours when she called and I was just like uhh huhhh what?

I'm a bit shocked and scared and whatnot. Any advice would be great!

[nora]

Calm down.

Korea isn't the third world. Everything you can get wherever you're from, you can get here, with few exceptions.

My personal advice is to relax and hang out with friends/family before you go. If you forget something, just get it here.

When I first came, I didn't bring toiletries - toothbrush, soap, shampoo, razors, etc. I simply stopped at the store when I got here and bought them. I DID bring toothpaste because that can be hard to find here, outside of the Korean brands. Plug adaptors are a dime a dozen (well, more like a dime apiece) here, so if you don't have them, don't worry about it. If you already have em, fine.

Clothes - where are you working? WHat grade level? It can be really hit or miss. Shirts are the more important, IMO. Tee shirts are generally out. Collared shirts, polos, button down, whatnot is best. Depending on the place, jeans can be in or out. You want to look professional, but you don't want to overdo it. A single suit should be fine for special occasions, a pair or two of khakis, a pair or two of other dress pants, you'll be fine.

Really though, relax. If you forget it, you can pick it up here.

[Modernist]

It's all right. Don't get too burned up worrying. You'll be OK. Remember that parents or friends can send you anything important you might forget. The flat-rate boxes aren't too expensive and they get over here nice and quick.

That said, I always suggest a few packs of any foods/snacks that bring you comfort. Many of them will either be difficult or impossible to find over here. It will help your mental state, especially in the first few days when the absolute foreignness of Korea might be hard to take. Particularly good are sweet [candies, chocolate or gummies, and such] and salty [chips, nuts, trail mixes, pretzels] things, in my experience.

Don't pack too many clothes. You can buy most of that stuff over here, unless you are an uncommonly large size. Bring dressy-casual, not 'formal.' You will hardly ever need truly formal clothes teaching ESL.

Bring a Kindle or a Nook or something like that. You'll need something to read. Bring a high-capacity HDD with lots of nice music you like, whatever that may be, on it.

Just take a deep breath, and jump. You'll make it.

[shamash]

[shamash]

Also thanks to both of you for the 'keep calm' and good advice. I was really expecting, being on this forum, a bunch of replies saying "A plane ticket home, Korea sucks, blahblahblah" and I was pleasantly surprised.

Should I bring some documents that may be of importance? My original degree or a copy, my Arizona teaching license or a copy, etc?

[YTMND]

Bring underwear, it will take a while to find suitable substitutes. You might also want to make sure if you have enough pants if you are not shaped like a beanpole.

A couple pairs of cheap walking shoes are good. Korea does have a nice selection, but I like to shop around so I know what the selection is first.

Bring whatever documents you feel might be useful.

Have all your bathroom supplies ready to go. It is a major inconvenience to arrive at a new place (abroad or in the country) and find out they don't have the toothpaste you like or no stores at night carry contact lens solution. I have small and large sizes of bathroom supplies. Bring a couple bars of soap until you find what you like. Then buy some in Korea and use them as back up in case you don't like the one you get.

Towels are useful if you are bringing books. You can wrap them around the books so the pages don't get all bent out of shape. However, just bring 1 large towel if you don't need to wrap anything. Buy the rest in Korea. Toilet paper is just something in case you don't think about it. Again, it can be used as packing material for other stuff. If you already have a jacket, you might as well bring it because then you won't need to buy one in fall. You can get another shirt instead and then get a coat for winter in Korea.

When you arrive, look at your apartment and make a list of what you need. It's better to pack light and buy only what you really need from the list.

[shamash]

Good points again, and I'll pick up some extra underwear and undershirts tomorrow.

I'm thinking I'll bring a couple pairs of jeans, a couple pairs of khakis, a couple pairs of dresspants, a lot of polos and some button-down shirts, some tshirts and mantanks for when I'm not at work, and maybe 4 pairs of shoes and a pair of flip flops. That should be about it for clothes. Oh and socks. Oh and a nice jacket, a sweatshirt or two, and a sweater or two. And some shorts.

I use my iPad for reading now so I don't really need physical books. Toilet paper is a good suggestion..

I'm going to bring 2 large suitcases, and then carry on a duffel bag and a small map bag with my computer and iPad in it. I may not end up needing the duffel bag but we'll see.

Shopping list tomorrow I have so far:

2 or so sticks of deodorant
a large bottle of soap
a large bottle of shampoo
extra underwear/vnecks

Should I try and hit up the dollar tree for a bunch of stickers and other supplies I'll want to use in my classroom, or are these easily/cheaply found in Korea?

I'm sure my parents will be more than willing to mail me a few things.

I'm going to get a new Costco card in Korea. I let mine expire a couple years back but it seems to be ~25 cheaper in Korea than it is in the states.

Should I go to Bank of America tomorrow to exchange a few hundred dollars for won, or should I just bring a few hundred dollars to Korea and exchange it when I get here?

Thank you all for dealing with me. It hit me really quickly and I'm trying to stay calm and it's kind of difficult. I'm excited for sure, and I'm fairly capable (trained and certified to teach English and ESL) so I'm thinking I'll have a good time. Regardless, the farthest I've been from the states is Mexico, and I just recently watched Lost in Translation and cried for an hour thinking I was going to become Bill Murray. Although becoming Bill Murray would be kind of cool.

[schwa]

Do not exchange for won before you come, rates are terrible outside Korea. Buy a couple (or a few) hundred dollars worth at Incheon Airport at the exchange booth just before you exit the secure area. Quick & easy, good rates.

You sound well-prepared, probably over-prepared. You're going to arrive in your new neighborhood & discover that you're surrounded by modern stores selling just about everything you'll need, or something close to it. Just enjoy your goodbyes now & have a nice flight.

[shamash]

[viciousdinosaur]

Personally when I travel to Canada, I bring empty suitcases there and full ones full of food back, and that's it. Two suitcases full of food and nothing else.

[YTMND]

[fezmond]

i'd say bring more deodorant sticks - they can be pretty pricey here.

bring decent toothpaste

as for the money at the airport - i believe they are all regulated (before you exit customs/luggage area) and you'll get the same or only slightly less than a bank once you exit.

bring some little snacks that are pretty common to you but probably not available here. i've just got my first batch of tayto crisps and after 3.5 years, they're a godsend

[RLib]

[shamash]

[shamash]