Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fragmentation]

My girlfriend and I are leaving for korea on Tuesday. I was hoping that we could hear about everything that:
-you forgot
-wish you had done before you left
-things you wish you had brought with you
-things you wish you had known before you arrived in korea
-anything else you can think of that might help.
Also, how much money should we bring to survive the first month before pay. Thanks in advance for the reply!

[Tiger Beer]

several dozens western condoms.

[Corporal]

[peppermint]

-things you wish you had brought with you
more pics of family and just everyday stuff at home.
spices (hard to find here and take very little space in a suitcase)

-things you wish you had known before you arrived in korea
-The Korean language ( try to get your head around the alphabet early, makes life easier)
-Get a phone card before calling home. ( very expensive otherwise)
-Get someone to write a card with your home adress on it for a while, till your confident you can say that properly, also note that korean addresses are pretty vague. ( you'll get dropped off at a nearby landmark or intersection)
- the KNTO's a good resource, call the area code then 1330, and you can ask them to help find a store, translate for you, etc.

Also, how much money should we bring to survive the first month before pay.
You can probably get an advance, but just in case allow around 500,000Wminimum for the month each.

[uberscheisse]

antacid. it's extremely hard to find antacid here, i don't think there's any korean brands. especially if you have problems getting accustomed to a different diet.

[JongnoGuru]

"Fragmentation"? Huh... I like that one.

A big jar of aspirin.

I was never prone to headaches before I lived in Korea. Britain, US, Hong Kong, Tokyo -- no problems. I'd take them for hangovers or if I was sick. But ne'ery a headache. Get to Korea and I'm like "Oh, so THIS is what everyone's talking about! yeah... 'head' 'ache'... makes sense." But they don't sell family-size containers of them in Korea.

Spices.

If you cook, you'll be frustrated by all you CAN'T find in the way of spices and seasonings. They're small, light and easy to pack. (Just noticed Peppermint mentioned spices as well, but some things bear repeating.)

Western condoms.

Tiger Beer is absolutely right (but we all know he's just smuggling them in to sell to the rest of us for 5 times what he paid).

Lady's cosmetics(?)

Out of my depth here, but when a girlfriend tells me she spent 600,000 won on very small bag containing some lipstick (95,000 won for a red crayola?!!) and some cream and whatever's in those little containers and vials... sheesh...

Maps of where you live.

I just like maps. I decorate my walls with maps of places I've lived. I show them to Koreans. They express interest. Maps are fun. And foldable.

Water-Based Stone Enhancer.

A must-not-forget-to-bring if ever there was one. No-sheen, penetrating sealer formulated to darken, enrich and highlight the character and beauty of unsealed, low-porosity natural stone. (like slate) It rejuvenates the color and improves the appearance of worn and weathered dense stone. (like slate)

You never know when you'll have a slate patio that needs a real good seeing to. And even if not, you just might find yourself one day in the Jongno area of northern Seoul. I believe this product is sold by the gallon, but best get two just to be on the safe side.

More ideas as they occur to me.

The Guru

[Grotto]

deoderant(expensive and rare)
spices(in Korea you can find rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, garlic, ginger) other items are much harder to find.
photos of family
salt and vinegar chips...they dont exist here(escept at the US commisary)

depending on your size. shoe sizes here are narrow and only go up to size 10 same with socks

[crazylemongirl]

I'm coming back to Korea and these are things I bringing with me. Granted I'm a kiwi but I feel these things are important.

Years supply of tampons. Korean ones are pathetic and american ones aren't that much better.
Deoderant.
Disprin and other cold relievers.
Shoes. however korea is the sock captial of the world.
Clothes. Particularly, pants, shorts and jackets. I've found buying t shirts over here no problem.
Bras and underwear. Unless your flat chested or want custom made bras.
If you like to wear skirts in winter then you need Tights.
Manuka honey, lemon honey, marmite, some christmas mince pies and a loaf of vogels bread.
Cookies.
Pics of my family and stuff.

Spices are found in your friendly black market store.

Also when you get to the airport go to the KNTO desk and ask for their guide book. It's way better than the lonely planet and totally free.

[JongnoGuru]

Just repeating two items that truly deserve to be on your Don't-bloody-forget-to-remember list:

Antacids...

TUMS, Rolaids and Pepto-Bismal are all items I've only made a point of having on hand since coming to Korea.

Deodorants/Antiperspirants!!!

How could I have forgotten that one! Oh, I know. Because it's below freezing right now. Anyway, there are two types of Koreans: those that never sweat, and those that do but you can't see it. I'm neither. I don't even have to be running or working out -- once the humidity breaks that 'meniscus', then comes the deluge.

Grotto, how are they supposed to bring salt & vinegar chips? If they're like me, they'll eat them all on the taxi ride in from Incheon. God, I wish I had some of those now. But hey, you've reminded me of one thing that I ALWAYS buy when I'm home...

A Bottle of Malt Vinegar

Oh yes.... Pick up a bag of frozen crinkle-cut chips sold just about anywhere here, fry, salt, splash .... heaven. I've even got my own bottle in reserve at the local hof, because I get sick of catsup all the time.

[desultude]

[schwa]

[inkoreaforgood]

[jajdude]

[tommynomad]

[PolyChronic Time Girl]