Ask a Waygook - What to Pack for a Year in South Korea

I have been contacted by a couple people who have taken a job to teach English in South Korea over the last several months and have asked me what I think they should consider buying or packing for their move.  I have compiled this list from several different sources including facebook groups, recruiter websites, and other blogs.  These are my recommendations of special items to bring.

To begin, this post is assuming that you have already successfully gone through the hiring process and have your work visa and plane ticket to come over here.  Congratulations, you are a rock star and your life will never be the same!

Okay, stuff to bring / pack / take / buy before you leave for your summer / year / rest of your life living in Korea:

Money -- I recommend bringing about $500 US dollars in cash to budget for your first month. Regardless of who hired you, the first thing they will do for you is open up a bank account, but they might take their time putting any money in it.  For EPIKteachers, they will probably wait (who knows why) about two weeks before depositing your settlement allowance and do not expect to get your flight reimbursement until the end of your first month, at which time you will also get your first month’s salary anyways.  There are many small purchases for your apartment when you get here (like cleaning supplies) that you cannot postpone to the end of your first month.  Bring lots of cash and either exchange it at the airport or wait until you move to your city and go with a Korean coteacherto a bank to get a good exchange rate.  You cannot exchange money on your own at a bank until you have your Alien Registration Card and Korean ID number. 

Copies of Everything -- Before you come, just make or bring with you multiple copies (actual or photocopied) of any important documents like your passport, birth certificate, college degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, TEFL/TESOL certificates, criminal background checks, etc.  This is all good stuff to have in case originals are lost, or copies are asked for once you get here.  Having them now will save you time and mental energy down the road if you for some reason you decide to jump ship to another country at the end of your contract or take a different job within Korea.  Also bring with you several passport sized photos (good ones that you like) because you might need them randomly for applications or various paperwork. 

International Driver’s License -- You never know if you may want to or have to drive while in Korea, and it is extremely easy to get your international driver’s license by going to your local CAA, AAA, or by contacting your department of motor vehicles.  All it takes is a photo and a form, no test required.  These licenses are good for one year as well. 

A Laptop -- Koreans call them notebooks.  Your place of employment will have a computer, but it will not be yours and it may be a shared work station with other Korean coteachers.  Unless you are super hardcore about the immersion experience, I recommend investing in a laptop that you can use at home and bring to work with you to fight off boredom and homesickness.  Internet speeds in Korea are phenomenal by the way! 

Rolling Luggage -- This may seems obvious, but I did not own rolling luggage before I bought some for the move here, and it was probably the best purchase I made.  Airports are very long, flat places.  Likewise you might have a long journey through an orientation location before arriving in your provided apartment.

Deodorant -- Koreans apparently do not sweat as much as Westerners.  Bring a year’s supply of your favorite deodorant.  It is becoming more available at some of the larger stores in Korea, but it will still be very expensive. 

Dental Floss -- Koreans are very mindful of their oral hygiene and brush multiple times a day, but most do not floss.  Floss can be bought at pharmacies, but it will be over-priced and it is just easier to bring a year’s worth with you. 

Big Bath Towels -- Korean bath towels are generally smaller and thinner.  If you like big fluffy towels, consider packing one or two for yourself. 

Condoms and Lubrication -- Always practice safe sex, even in Korea.  Condoms are available in Korea, but are sometimes more expensive.  Some foreigners have also complained about their lack of larger sizes and poor lubrication.  If you plan on using them, it is just easier to stock up.  Also, if you use birth control pills, you might want to consider purchasing a year’s supply before you come.  They are for sale at any pharmacy in Korea, but once again, it might just be easier. 

Tampons -- Korean women usually wear pads.  Tampons are becoming more available in large stores like Home Plus and EMart, but are still less common than pads.  If you have a tampon brand that you are comfortable using, you may want to stock up before coming. 

Drugs/Medicine -- Just plan on getting sick once you come here.  Moving to the other side of the world and being exposed to viruses and germs that are foreign to you inevitably leads to the coughs and sniffles.  Bring with you whatever you think you would want such as Tylenol/Advil, cough syrup, allergy medicine, and multivitamins.  Also, if you want to be REALLY prepared, you could pack Ex-lax in the event of constipation or Kaopectate for diarrhea relief.  I am sure they have this stuff here, but do you really want to have that conversation with your Korean coteacher?  Just saying… 

Razor Blades/Shaving Cream -- Korean people have significantly less body and facial hair than Westerners.  Therefore, razor blades and shaving cream are somewhat more expensive (with less selection) than in North America. 

Shoes and Clothes -- If you are a taller or bigger person, you may have a hard time finding your size in Korea.  Clothes for larger people do exist in Korea, but asking around and time spent searching will be required.  Good examples are men shoes above size 9 and larger size bras.  Cup sizes C and D are hard to find for women.  There is also a serious lack of thongs in Korea.  If you like that sort of thing… 

Fitted Sheets -- Koreans generally sleep on thin blankets or quilts thrown over the bed or laid on the floor.  If you want fitted sheets for your provided western style bed, bring your own.  Twin size beds are the most common, but the bed I was given is an odd size between a twin and full.  So it is a gamble. 

Gifts for Your Principal -- I did not do this and this is not necessary at all.  But many people get here and wish they brought items from their home country to give as gifts to their new bosses or coteachers.  If you have any fun ideas or hometown items that make great gifts, bring some, otherwise do not stress over this one. 

Teaching Supplies -- It is hard to know what you might want before you come here, but anything you bring from your home country as far as prizes, visual aids, or supplemental materials for lessons plans will be found very interesting by your students.  Something super simple that you can do is take pictures (or even videos!) of your house, family, neighborhood, hometown, school, or university.  How you lived and grew up is very different than how they live, and slide shows can be a success here if done correctly.  Also, simple stuff like money (coins and bills) from your home country can also be very interesting to kids. 

Smoke Detector -- I do not have one, because I am an idiot and think it will never happen to me, but fires do happen.  You can buy a fire extinguisher when you get here for your apartment and it could very well save your life (or your stuff) one day.  Smoke detectors here cost significantly more than they do in North America and make for a quick pack item. 

There are lots of other things to recommend bringing because it might be an “inconvenience” to find here, but nothing is impossible. South Korea has all the comforts of home, it is just an issue of cost, time, and space to locate them. There are also numerous websites that sell and deliver whatever you want right to your home for cheap. You just have to ask around and figure it how to do it.

Any questions or comments let me know. I am happy to amend or add onto this list.