What is a good gift for a friend in Korea in appreciation of his help & arrangement for my trip?

Answer 1

Is your friend American or Korean? My daughter just spent a year in Korea and there are many things you cannot get there or they are too expensive to buy. It is impossible to buy a regular bath towel there, they only use finger tip towels. You cannot buy deodorant there so personal items would be welcome I am sure.

Answer 2

I recommend a "useful" souvenir-type gift from your native country/culture. Where are you from? For example, I've successfully given ice wine and smoked salmon from Canada, as I'm Canadian. Something like your university's jersey might be good, too. If you can't give anything from your native country, try tea or fresh seasonal fruit (bought in Korea). Koreans usually receive alcohol or food as gifts from other Koreans. You can find imported food (from your country, perhaps) at most big supermarkets and department stores, even in smaller Korean cities. To give the best possible gift, you should find out your Korean helper's preferences. Do they drink? Do they like prefer hard alcohol or wine? etc. Fifty to 100 thousand won in a plain white envelope is usually given at events such as going-away parties, weddings and funerals. If you ever do that, just write "From ____ (your name)" on the outside of the envelope and hand it to the receiver or their representative directly.

Answer 3

It's very tricky when it comes to giving gifts to our Korean friends, mainly because of the difference in culture and in human relationships.

Based on my observation, Koreans do enjoy recieving indeginous gifts that are made in your country that are useful. Like bags for girls or hats for boys.

I used to work as an ESL Instructor here in the Philippines. When graduation comes, what I usually give to my female students were beaded earings, beaded necklaces, native bags, and metallic eyes shadow (Yup! they said when they apply it, it makes their eyes bigger. Apparently in Korea, Bigger eyes = very beautiful.)

As for the boys, I usually give them baseball hats or a certificate to a free day at the SPA. They love them.

It's very tricky when you are giving out gifts to friends. Major consideration is needed to give the perfect gift. Fortunately, the perfect gift doesn't exist. So just try to see and gadge through his personality. That usually helps. But what matters in giving a gift is not the gift itself, but the act of giving.

PS
make sure when you write a card, don't use red ink when you write down their names. Red ink is only used for the dead.

Answer 4

an english dictionary would be very helpful for them.