Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I have been searching through the posts, and a lot of the threads are old ones, from 2003 or so. Can everyone update a list of what to bring, and what to leave home??

I see contradictory items: some say bring big towels, then some say they are in Korea. Same with asprin, tylenol, etc. I want this cleared up.

Also, please specify if you are in a surburban, urban, or rural area. Maybe which city/town will help too.

Thanks!

[Smee]

Yeah, you can leave the 2003 edition of the encyclopedia at home, and bring the 2006 one.


I live in rural.

[princess]

Thanks to Heathrow airport's mess, check with your airline about the carry on stuff in a plastic bag. You have to have certain amts. of liquids, like shampoo, etc, in a plastic bag. The bag has to be a vertain size, too. I think quart or litter-sized.

[Nambucaveman]

Molly,

There is a thread in the FAQ forum. You might want to take a look over there.

[casey's moon]

This is a thread from this week on the topic! Is that current enough?

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=932564&highlight=#932564

The problem is that it doesn't just matter whether you are in Seoul or not, but how much access you have to big supermarkets, like Costco, etc. To a certain extent, you're not going to know that entirely unless you speak to someone who lives in your neighbourhood, hopefully someone who will still be there to show you around when you arrive. But basically, bring the necessities that you won't be able to get by without for the first month, and if you have favourite brands, ask about those specifically. If you have specific habits you can't break, ask about those too (like a particular snack item or something), but if you're willing to change your lifestyle and eating habits a bit, then just bring the necessities for one month -- you'll figure out how to replenish it by the time it runs out. (except tampons and deoderant -- the stuff available here is pricey and/or sketchy) And shoes. Definitely bring shoes.

[jmbran11]

I've never had a problem with big towels. Tylenol and aspirin can be found, but ibuprofen is at virtually all pharmacies.

The only things I would bother bringing: and specific medications that you really like and trust and your preferred deodorant.

[Matilda]

My only recommendations are bed sheets and cold/flu medication.

The rest ie cosmetics and toiletries are very common and reasonable quality here.

I second the motion to have enough supplies for 1 month to give you enough time to find an equivalent.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

[jinju]

dont bring: a chip on your shoulder.

[mole]

I originally went to Korea with 30USD and half a suitcase.
You'll get by. I did wish I had a big towel at that time.

And 2003 aint that long ago.

[ChuckECheese]

Don't bring guns. You can buy those from Nigerian mafia in Itaewon.