Packing for South Korea?

Question

I would like to prepare myself with the proper things in order to live and teach in South Korea for a year. Looking for any suggestions? What should I bring especially the things that I will not be able to find in Gwangju?

Answer 1

Most things you can find in Seoul somewhere. There are in fact several "underground markets", places where you can get just about anything in the way of foreign food if you miss it badly enough, if you are willing to pay the price of course. If you wear a shoe bigger than a size 8 and would like to wear anything other than a mens shoe for the next year, bring what you would want. You can find shoes in Itaewon in Seoul, but again only if you are willing to pay the price. Clothes are not too expensive if you can fit into Korean sizes. Even if you can't you can find most things in Seoul in particular Itaewon. Itaewon is a foriegn market area near the American military base in Seoul. It has it's own subway stop and any taxi driver would know what you are talking about if you told them you wanted to go there. Find out the size of the bed you are getting and if you want them bring at least one set of fitted sheets. It is almost impossible to find sheets here unless you want to pay a fortune. A simple sheet set can cost about $50. Don't bring movies, you can't play them here and you can get almost anything you want here anyways either at a video rental place, which is cheap, or buy off the street if you want to keep it. Do bring your CD's unless you like K pop, Korean pop music. I don't but I also download alot of music. Bring a couple of deoderants, as they can be expensive, in fact the poor guys can't find deoderant in the winter. Reading Korean is in fact easy and once you get here you will realize alot of it is what we call Konglish, English written in Korean. Some examples of this are Telebishion, Aiah Con, Kawpee Shyop, look strange, but Television, Air Con (conditioner) and Coffee shop are just a few of these. Winter is somewhat mild I find, but I am from Southern Ontario. It can get a little windy, and they don't plow, salt or sand, meaning the snow can build up, and it can turn into a skating rink outside your front door. But, as has been said it is a beautiful country, there is a lot to see. Just remember not to be too focused on making it like home, and roll with the fact that you are in another country, things are done differently, and sometimes this may be a little frustrating, but if you roll with the punches it will all work out and be really enjoyable in the end.

Answer 2

If you are a female, with feet larger than a size 8 or 38 you might need to make sure you bring enough shoes.
Also if your chest is bigger than a B you might want to bring enough bra's.

If you are not of an asian stature, you may want to bring jeans... however if you go into Seoul you can buy most things, Busan too.

Perhaps you might want to bring some of your favourite snacks, as it takes a while to get used to the Korean snacks, in saying that though, the convenience stores have the HUGEST selections... just the flavours are a bit different.
If you are a major chocolate freak, bring chocolate.

There are some great book stores in Korea, so don't worry about English learning books etc.
You may want to bring games with you, I found that they are kind of expensive here. Monopoly (english version) is anywhere from $30-$50 for original version. Scrabble, and other such games are around the same.

I don't think that anything is impossible to find, just you have to be prepared to search around for it.

It would help immensley if you try to learn to at least read Korean before you come. It will come in handy when travelling around.
I spent the weekend in the middle of nowhere, and nothing was in English. At these times you will be thankful that you can navigate your way around a map.

Living in Korea is what you make of it, try to embrace the culture and all the wonderful things that it has to offer. Too many people get caught up just sticking with what they know, and not adapting themselves to the situation.

Answer 3

when are u coming over?if ur coming these year,pack some winter jackets.it really get colder in here,especially by january till march.but if u prefer to buy it here its ok,but u might find the price too expensive.dont forget ur korean dictionary,a lot of people dont speak english here.

Answer 4

top. First issues first, handle the climate- it somewhat is summer season, so it's going to be warm. Korea is truthfully like being in an oven- the warmth does no longer leave you by myself for one 2d, different than in enterprise homes which has air con. So the thank you to conflict warmth? Suncream, deoderant (you will sweat lots), and a hat will somewhat are available in sensible. unquestionably the suncream is controversial because of the fact it is going all gungy the 2d you step outdoors because of the fact of your sweat! in hassle-free terms be conscious it whilst your in a funky ecosystem or it's going to easily be somewhat uncomfortable. Oh yeah, another ingredient i'd desire to declare. i got here upon it sensible to in hassle-free terms positioned a sprint squeezy cleansing soap bottle and positioned it on your pocket (or handbag) because of the fact I ought to admit some bathrooms in korea is distinctly unclean. nicely, i advise the some public ones. no longer all of them. ONes that at the instant are not somewhat cared for hadnt had any cleansing soap!!! which i got here upon problematic. so i used to hold a small bottle of liquid cleansing soap bottle and be conscious it on my arms if there replaced into no cleansing soap in bathrooms. In words in clothing, i could propose short shorts and sleeveless tops. As korea is boiling I basically used to positioned on shorts coming to my knees and sleeveless marvelous. that's contained in the summertime, ok? in case you reside there long and happen to experience Korean iciness, basically dress like an eskimo and the main you will get is frostbite. yeah, i heard it somewhat is that chilly. Hmmm, comic strip characters? truthfully each and every new child be conscious of Superman, Spiderman, Batman. I had toys of them so young babies be conscious of them somewhat nicely, so i could start up with them. Pokemon, and beyblade, in spite of the undeniable fact that no longer American, has lot of acceptance with young babies. i think of Ben 10 is nicely-known besides, Im helpful i observed some korean textile branded with the stuff, in spite of the undeniable fact that i'm no longer able to think of on marvelous of my head what. i think of Tom & Jerry is nicely-known besides. yet of direction the -guy sequence is the main everyday, so i could carry those.