Korean Job Discussion Forums

[corroonb]

Any ideas about what I could do in the three months before I can go to Korea? Any specific things I should prepare? Any advice is welcome.

[Juregen]

I suggest reading.

[corroonb]

Yes I like reading, unfortunately this requires something to read. Reading is not a very helpful suggestion. What books smart ass?

[Juregen]

[SuperFly]

I've a got a deal on my shipping to Korea, so I've got a little different situation because I'll be there for about 4-5 years, but here's what I've been doing:

I've been burning as many movies and as much History Channel and other related stuff as I can off the tube, netflix and Hollywood video and the library (You'd be surprised to see how many dvds the library has, phonics etc).

Stocking up on good books and materials from the learning center and amazon, etc.

Bought some extra clothes and shoes.

Got admitted to an online MA program.

Got an ibook so I can sit in cafes and act cool. (Just kidding, don't hate)

Got a projector (see link below) that you hook up to your laptop and can use like an overhead projector or play movie clips, movies, to your class.

They're pricey, but they are golden. You can get them used on ebay for cheap.

Other personal items are too many to list and other than deoderant, I can't remember what else you should pack, but I'm sure there's a hundred what should I bring to Korea threads out there somewhere.

Have fun

[SuperFly]

Oh, and don't forget your copy of 100 Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's the single most important thing you should have with you when you travel...it's part of the whole thing, you read this book: it changes your life. You have to read it more than once to understand, there are many different ways to read it. If you don't, you'll be sorry. Don't forget.

[corroonb]

Thanks Superfly, good suggestions.

@ Juregen : I've read most of those authors' books, including Crime and Pusnishment and the Idiot, the latter might be of interest to you.

[SuperFly]

This one is a little personal. Do you prefer your own sleeping stuff or do you even care? I have to have fitted sheets, and a nice comfy down blanket. All my sleepy stuff comes with me wherever I go. I hate Korean blankets. It's hard to find sheets. If these kind of things are important to you, I'd suggest getting the address of your Korean abode and mailing that to yourself about 3 weeks before you leave, it will be winter when you get to Korea...

[Juregen]

[corroonb]

I only really care about pillows and i've heard Korean ones are uncomfortable. Is it worthwhile trying to learn a bit of Korean before I go? How expensive is shipping because I read tons of books and I might have to ship out a few dozen?

Crime and Punishment stomps all over the Idiot with a shabby, miserable and quite possibly insane boot.

[Juregen]

[corroonb]

True, the Idiot is about Christ and the purity of one individual in a corrupt world and Crime and Punishment is not the most upbeat book in the world but it explores guilt in a quite brilliant way and is my favourite Dostoyevsky.

[pskull]

I'm in about the same situation, though I'm about six months out. From reading other things around the site, I'd say you'd best be sure you have every bit of paperwork immigration could possibly want. That way, you shouldn't be scrambling at the last minute for paperwork that probably would take a few weeks to get to you.

And I'm slowly amassing a more professional wardrobe, since I can't stand putting down loads of money at once.

Oh, and I'm trying to make sure that I pass my seminar so I actually graduate come December. That's an important one.

[Omkara]

Get yourself some good clothes, since you'll not likely find you fit or style.

[ella]

Korean Rosetta Stone.