Korean Job Discussion Forums

Boudicca · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Location: Victoria BC

Hello all!

I am about to set off for Korea and was wondering how much money one should bring if a job has already been set up...i.e. What are the startup costs? Does one usually have to pay anything for accomodation up front (utilities, etc...) even if it is paid for by the employer? Is it possible to get an advance from the school in the case of an emergency?

Thanks for any and all responses!

peppermint · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

In most cases, employers will give an advance- but check with a teacher who's already there. As well, ask about what's already in your apartment- I know I've had to buy dishes once or twice.

With those things in mind, you can get by on around 4-500,000W, or live very comfortably on 1,000,000W. Of course some things will depend on wether you live in the city or not etc.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I came with $400 cash and a couple grand in my Canadian bank account...but I had lots of trouble accessing my account from here so I had to take an advance. I would make sure you have at least a grand somewhere for back up tho.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Assuming you might have to live a month max without income, I would bring $500-$800. I've never been able to get cash out of my Canada Trust account at any international money machine but I've always been able to get money out of my American wells fargo account. So, to be on the safe side, bring cash.

Whatever you don't spend, tuck away. Don't covert to won. Why? It's good to have back up cash, as I found when my bank, Woori, shut down all their money machines for a whole week without warning over the chuseok holiday. I managed to get some cash from my American bank account but it was nice to know I had about $200 in Canadian funds that I could run to an international hotel and exchange if the situation grew dire...

Off topic but other good "back up" advice for newbies.

1) As you drink milk or pop, fill the jugs with water and keep them under your sink. Keep about 5-10 liters back up water on hand. Why? It's not uncommon for your apartment to shut down your water for a day or two, without warning. It's no fun trying to brush your teeth with orange juice.

2) Buy candles, a flashlight, batteries. Power goes out sometimes. Candles provide some heat in winter. Also if your ondol heating conks out on really really cold days (as mine did for a couple days last year) it's good to have an electric heater back up. I managed to survive for two days heating my apartment by turning on both gas burners and boiling water and lighting a lot of candles.

Dispatched · Joined: 08 May 2004

Bring a credit card and you can get cash out from most banks if needed, you have to pay an extra $5 or so charge but it's convenient and doesn't make you reliant on cash advances/ foreign bank account access/ korean bank account access. Pays to have ya accounts set up so that you can access them via the internet and can transfer money from your accounts to your credit card with ease.

fandeath · Joined: 01 Nov 2004

Wow, mindmetoo, you seem to have it rough compared to me. I never had the power or water out. Where do you live?

Ayway, I would suggest a similar range of 500,000 to 800,000 won. And in most cases the schools will give you an advance if needed.

d503 · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Location: Daecheong, Seoul

I just came In August, I brought about US$50 in cash, and still have it. I was able to access my US account that I had about US$500 in from the airport and lived on that for the first Month. I had to buy kitchen stuff for my appartment, but other than that I had all the furnishings I required (bed, table, chair, and even a little drawer thing). Wasn't all that hard to live on. I had to pay my first set of utilities and bills prior to my first paycheck, but they were only for 1/2 a month so it wasn't bad I think it totalled maybe 100.000 won.

Also I was able to access my small hometown bank account, from the Atms.

Rather_Dashing · Joined: 07 Sep 2004

This looks like a good thread to add to Waterbaby's faqs. Is she still expanding them?

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:46 am Post subject:

As far as I can tell, most jobs here pay wages once a month - after the first month of work. So, depending on your place of employment, you could be waiting 5 or 6 weeks for your first pay.

The estimates of money given by the other posters sound about right. 400,000 won absolute minimum. If you are prepared to eat tuna sandwiches or boil-in-a-bag jajjang for a month or so, you can live quite cheaply, but it is always a good idea to have funds as a back-up.

I've never had any problems with heating failing - yet. I've had the power go out a couple of times, but I think I'm going to start hoarding water and heaters after reading mindmetoo's post...

I hope you will have a fun and interesting time here Smile

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004