- BASIC MANNERS
- If a Korean asks you out for a drink, it means they want to get to know you better. To them, drinking is a very personal experience. You get to know the real person and would talk about things you normally wouldn't. So, if you coworker, boss, or friend asks you out for drinks it's almost rude to decline without a very good reason.
- SOJU ETIQUETTE
- If you're going out to dinner, you'll usually be drinking soju. If a person older than you pours the soju you must accept it using two hands. Culturally, you must accept anything an older Korean gives you or you'll be considered extremely rude. You will also take the drink with either two hands, one covering the bottom of the glass, or you take it while looking away so that they can't see the bottom of the glass. However, if someone younger than you pours the drink you can accept it with one hand and not be disrespectful. Also, it's respectful to pour soju for your elders but remember to use two hands for older people but you can use one hand for younger people. It's also considered rude not to hold your glass when people pour for you. I've seen it where a friend leans over and touches the soju glass of someone who's not paying attention and gives them the look of, don't worry I saved you there.
- DIFFERENT DRINKS
- Soju (rice liquor 20%)
- Mekju (beer)
- So-mek (beer and soju mixed)
- BASIC DRINKING STYLE
- In most countries you start to go out drinking maybe around 9pm and finish at 2-3am. So, you tend to drink harder and faster. While here in Korea the bars don't close until 6-9am and even then you still go to breakfast afterwards and drink soju. I've had many late nights continuing until 11:30am. So where a lot of new people fail is in their drinking stamina. They come to Korea with their old drinking habits and just fall to pieces. Throwing up, falling down, and basically making asses of themselves. So, the best recommendations I have for you out there is to get a good, late, solid dinner, start drinking a little later and to pace yourself. I know it's a little hard to adapt to. We all still have our nights where we get out of control but if you follow those basic steps you'll be able to maintain a semi-functional drunk even at 6am.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Guide to Drinking in Korea
Drinking in Korea is vastly different than in America. Not only culturally but also physically. Let's start with the cultural aspect of drinking.
Applying for New VISA in Korea
To apply for an entirely new VISA while back in America you'll need to follow these steps.
On a personal note, I highly recommend Teach ESL Korea for a recruiter. It's a Canadian based company where they will find you a job and help you through the VISA process. I went through them and I've actually met them and became friends while living in Korea. It's great personal service and doesn't cost you anything. They're very experienced and have lived and taught in Korea for many years. They are also very respected throughout the Korean schools and other recruiters. So, if you want some extra help finding a reliable job and some peace of mind apply through http://www.teacheslkorea.com/.
- First of all you'll want to get your fingerprints taken and sent in for a FBI check. Usually you'll want a few copies sent in for your fingerprints if they're done in ink. This is just in case they're not accepted by the FBI office. This will save you time and money. Generally a FBI background check takes about 8 weeks and you'll also need it apostilled so it's best to get it started quickly. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
- ***** IMPORTANT NOTE *****
- If you will only be back in the US for less than 3 months and you've already completed a FBI background check and had it apostilled, then you don't need to get another one done. This will save you A LOT of time.
- Reduce the inconvenience of having to return to their home country to receive a new E2 visa. - To avoid the inconvenience of having to return to an applicant’s home country to receive an apostille for a criminal background check, a criminal check issued by the applicant’s embassy/ consulate in Korea may be accepted.
- Instead of receiving an apostille for an applicant’s degree, a document of verification from the Korean University Education Union/ Community may be accepted for applicants already teaching in Korea.
- Effective 01 September 2010, E2 visa holders who are changing jobs will not have to submit a criminal background check if they have already done so and if their stay outside Korea is less than 3 months between the expiry of the old and new visas. See Conversation teacher(E-2) related system improvement notice: The simplification of required documents of re-applying for a certificate of visa issuance approval
- Criminal background check - Those who had stayed overseas under 3months to issue a visa status can omit the document.(If staying over 3month overseas, the document should be submitted when the foreigner applies alien registration.)
- Certificate of obtain degree - Those who submitted a verified document can omit it. - Don't forget that you need to get this authenticated by the Department of State. This is not the same as the apostille for your degree. Just go to this website to get it authenticated. http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/index.htm
- Or if you don't have time to wait for the Department of State to authenticate your document, you can send it to US Legalization. That has a promise of a 1 day turnaround with the Department of State. So, that saves a lot of time, comparatively. You can get the information from this website http://www.uslegalization.com/.
- You will also need your degree apostilled. This is the website for Wisconsin. http://www.sos.state.wi.us/apostilles.htm Depending on your time frame you might want to get this service expedited.
- The other documents you need are:
- A photocopy of your information on your passport.
- About 4 color passport photos (2x2).
- A signed copy of your resume.
- 3 copies of the signed contract.
- Filled out health statement form. This can be found at http://www.teacheslkorea.com/ under E2 Process as medical statement.
- All of these documents need to be mailed to your school where they will issue you a VISA number.
- You need to fill out the VISA form also found at http://www.teacheslkorea.com/ under E2 Process as VISA form. You will also need to send in your passport, a passport photo, a money order for $45 payable to The Korean Consulate General, a sealed university transcript, a filled out interview form (also found at http://www.teacheslkorea.com/), and a prepaid return envelope. It is to my understanding that you won't have to go through the actual interview again.
On a personal note, I highly recommend Teach ESL Korea for a recruiter. It's a Canadian based company where they will find you a job and help you through the VISA process. I went through them and I've actually met them and became friends while living in Korea. It's great personal service and doesn't cost you anything. They're very experienced and have lived and taught in Korea for many years. They are also very respected throughout the Korean schools and other recruiters. So, if you want some extra help finding a reliable job and some peace of mind apply through http://www.teacheslkorea.com/.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Rant About Korean Racism
So, lately there was a post on youtube about a black man beating up a 61 year old Korean man on a bus. This all happened because the black man (country unknown to me), heard the Korean man say the word "neaga" meaning you. The black man thought that the Korean man said he was "nigger". So, that gave the black man the right to shout profanities in English and in Korean and eventually use violence to beat the man while onlookers didn't do or say anything.
I'm just astonished at the whole situation here. The Korean man was saying that the black man could sit here in Korean and the black man's response was to verbally and physically attack the older man. I understand that maybe the black man didn't know what the Korean man was saying but even if the Korean man did say the word "nigger", it doesn't give him the right to beat the man.
I guess I just don't understand where people think that it's ok to use violence on people. So what if you're called a name?! I don't care. If anything, give them a look that you're upset but then walk away. Especially in a country where you don't know what they're saying!!! I don't know how many times I thought someone was saying something about me but then it turned out totally wrong. I just wonder what kind of parents raised a man that could do that without even thinking. And what puzzles me even more, are the people who think that he was justified in his actions, even after seeing the video!!
I think that this world needs a big kick in the butt, and these little punks need a lesson! First, he's an elder. He is a 61 year old man. Aren't you supposed to respect your elders. Second, he doesn't speak English so I'm sure he doesn't know the word "nigger". And third, you're in someone elses country. You are Korea's guest. You need to play by their rules and laws. You don't go into someone else's house telling them what to do and throw crap around their house do you?
I think that if people come here with a good attitude and a positive outlook you won't face that much racism. As far as Gwangju is concerned, foreigners really started coming here only about 5 years ago, so we are still a very unfamiliar sight to many Koreans. So, I think that the best way to overcome racism even before it starts is to have a good attitude. Many Koreans haven't experienced many foreigners so they don't know what to think. If we are friendly and show that we are trying to learn about Korean culture, then they will think better of us and won't be so racist. Stop it before it starts and try changing the minds of those who are racist by being a positive influence rather than a negative influence spouting about our given rights.
I'm a firm believer that a positive attitude and a happy disposition can do a lot of good for race relations between foreigners and Koreans. I know that it won't change everyone's mind, but you will end up living a happier and more fufilled life here in Korea. You will have more foreigner and Korean friends and you will be more well recieved wherever you go. Where will being angry about everything get you? I know one thing, it will get you out of this country faster and with fewer friends.
So, advice to anyone coming to Korea. You will face some racial stigma, especially the darker your skin, but buck-up because the majority of people are very kind. Also, you'll get a lot of pointing by children and adults. But most of the time it's just excitement. They will also run up to you to try to practice their English. Take everything in stride and just enjoy being a celebrity for a while!! ;-)
Here's the link for the video on youtube. Make sure you have the safety mode turned off on the bottom of the page. Just click on "on" and then click "off" and "save".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2wQiPcuZI4
I'm just astonished at the whole situation here. The Korean man was saying that the black man could sit here in Korean and the black man's response was to verbally and physically attack the older man. I understand that maybe the black man didn't know what the Korean man was saying but even if the Korean man did say the word "nigger", it doesn't give him the right to beat the man.
I guess I just don't understand where people think that it's ok to use violence on people. So what if you're called a name?! I don't care. If anything, give them a look that you're upset but then walk away. Especially in a country where you don't know what they're saying!!! I don't know how many times I thought someone was saying something about me but then it turned out totally wrong. I just wonder what kind of parents raised a man that could do that without even thinking. And what puzzles me even more, are the people who think that he was justified in his actions, even after seeing the video!!
I think that this world needs a big kick in the butt, and these little punks need a lesson! First, he's an elder. He is a 61 year old man. Aren't you supposed to respect your elders. Second, he doesn't speak English so I'm sure he doesn't know the word "nigger". And third, you're in someone elses country. You are Korea's guest. You need to play by their rules and laws. You don't go into someone else's house telling them what to do and throw crap around their house do you?
I think that if people come here with a good attitude and a positive outlook you won't face that much racism. As far as Gwangju is concerned, foreigners really started coming here only about 5 years ago, so we are still a very unfamiliar sight to many Koreans. So, I think that the best way to overcome racism even before it starts is to have a good attitude. Many Koreans haven't experienced many foreigners so they don't know what to think. If we are friendly and show that we are trying to learn about Korean culture, then they will think better of us and won't be so racist. Stop it before it starts and try changing the minds of those who are racist by being a positive influence rather than a negative influence spouting about our given rights.
I'm a firm believer that a positive attitude and a happy disposition can do a lot of good for race relations between foreigners and Koreans. I know that it won't change everyone's mind, but you will end up living a happier and more fufilled life here in Korea. You will have more foreigner and Korean friends and you will be more well recieved wherever you go. Where will being angry about everything get you? I know one thing, it will get you out of this country faster and with fewer friends.
So, advice to anyone coming to Korea. You will face some racial stigma, especially the darker your skin, but buck-up because the majority of people are very kind. Also, you'll get a lot of pointing by children and adults. But most of the time it's just excitement. They will also run up to you to try to practice their English. Take everything in stride and just enjoy being a celebrity for a while!! ;-)
Here's the link for the video on youtube. Make sure you have the safety mode turned off on the bottom of the page. Just click on "on" and then click "off" and "save".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2wQiPcuZI4
Friday, August 26, 2011
K-Club Sports Day
In Cheonam at the backgate, every Saturday a group of foreigners and Koreans get together to discuss topics in English while enjoying a nice cup of coffee at Luwak Coffee Shop. We talk about all different types of topics from food to K-pop. We usually read about a page for the topic and discuss it with some questions. Then there is still time to have a casual chat. It's usually followed by dinner, some fun, and then maybe a drink or five. :-)
However, every once in a while we have little trips or events, as you can see from some of my previous blogs. We also have some events in the city like baseball games, movies, or even sports days. Well, this time we had a sport day.
We met at the usual time and place and walked over to the university area to get our sports on. These Koreans are extremely competative. So, we broke into teams and wagered money on each game we played.
We started out the day with a free-throw contest. We each shot 2 free-throws and at the end both teams were tied. So, we decided to all shoot another one and my team lost by one! We each lost 1000W ($1). The next game was dodgeball Korean style. It's slightly different than the one we play back home. Once you're hit you go to the outskirts of the other teams side where you can get the ball and throw it at them. It was fun but my team lost again. That was another 1000W. After that we decided to play soccer. BIG mistake. It was a close and highly competative game. We scored a goal and I was going in for another one when I kicked it a little too hard for how close I was and the ball went and nailed Lee, our goalee, in the face. His glasses broke and flew off his face as he crumpled to the ground. We all stood in shock. Then everyone started laughing and cheering, well everyone but me. I was freaking out. After that, the girls were kicked out of the games. The boys played with some other random Koreans. They played the food volleyball. It's actually fun. The other team of boys, we didn't know, had two too many players. So, us girls picked them up for a game of basketball. We played to five and I made all five shots, 5-0! At least I won one thing!! ㅋㅋㅋ After that Kimber and I had to head out to get ready for her going away party. The others stayed and kept playing until dark.
Well, the point is that it was a really fun time with some great friends. And for mom, this is verification that I don't only drink. I also do other things on the weekends too!! :-)
So, thank you to my K-club for keeping me entertained and keeping me out of a little trouble! And sorry Lee for the ball in the face!
We met at the usual time and place and walked over to the university area to get our sports on. These Koreans are extremely competative. So, we broke into teams and wagered money on each game we played.
We started out the day with a free-throw contest. We each shot 2 free-throws and at the end both teams were tied. So, we decided to all shoot another one and my team lost by one! We each lost 1000W ($1). The next game was dodgeball Korean style. It's slightly different than the one we play back home. Once you're hit you go to the outskirts of the other teams side where you can get the ball and throw it at them. It was fun but my team lost again. That was another 1000W. After that we decided to play soccer. BIG mistake. It was a close and highly competative game. We scored a goal and I was going in for another one when I kicked it a little too hard for how close I was and the ball went and nailed Lee, our goalee, in the face. His glasses broke and flew off his face as he crumpled to the ground. We all stood in shock. Then everyone started laughing and cheering, well everyone but me. I was freaking out. After that, the girls were kicked out of the games. The boys played with some other random Koreans. They played the food volleyball. It's actually fun. The other team of boys, we didn't know, had two too many players. So, us girls picked them up for a game of basketball. We played to five and I made all five shots, 5-0! At least I won one thing!! ㅋㅋㅋ After that Kimber and I had to head out to get ready for her going away party. The others stayed and kept playing until dark.
Well, the point is that it was a really fun time with some great friends. And for mom, this is verification that I don't only drink. I also do other things on the weekends too!! :-)
So, thank you to my K-club for keeping me entertained and keeping me out of a little trouble! And sorry Lee for the ball in the face!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Crossroads
If you can believe it, I'm coming to the end of my second year here in Gwangju, South Korea. I've had good times and bad times and gradually built a life here, minus a boyfriend. However, I have 3.5 months left in my contract at my current school. I'm at the point where I need to make a decision to either move on or stay. So far I have 4 choices I'm currently considering:
So, for all of you out there wondering what I'm going to do with my life and when I'm coming home next this is my answer, according to the rankings:
- Attend GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology) starting in first term in March.
- Stay in Gwangju but switching English academies.
- Move to another city in South Korea.
- Move back home and look for a job in the states.
So, for all of you out there wondering what I'm going to do with my life and when I'm coming home next this is my answer, according to the rankings:
- I will be back home around December 1st and staying for about 3 months before I move back to Gwangju, South Korea.
- I will be back home around December 1st and staying for a maximum of 2 months.
- I believe I will back back for December but don't know when I will be going back to Korea.
- I'll still be back in December but for no idea how long. I don't intend to live in Cumberland and would move out as soon as I found a job.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Slow City Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea
There are 7 slow cities in South Korea and 4 of them are in South Jeolla Province. These cities work hard at staying true to their culture and roots by doing things the hard way. They're small cities resisting globalization.
This weekend I took my second trip to this "slow city" in South Jeolla Province. I made the trip, which was about 70km from Gwangju. We made our way on a Sunday afternoon to this "slow city". We made our way to a local swimming hole. I call it a local swimming hole because it's actually very small and only deep in certain places.
The swimming hole is right near the Slow City tourism office. We arrived at about 4 o'clock and there were still plenty of people there. We found a spot on the rocky beach and jumped right in. The hole is actually part of a small river. The river is surrounded by trees on one side and a rocky beach on the other. It's a very beautiful and refreshing river surrounded by Korean mountains. The best thing is that it's not for tourists. It's just a local beach where you go, have a picnic, a few beers and some soju. There are a lot of families swimming and most people are very kind and interested in the strange foreigner. It's not uncommon to have them float up to you to try their English because they haven't seen many foreigners.
After an afternoon of swimming we drove about 30 minutes to one of my friend's parents house. It's a beautiful rural area full of rice paddies, vegetable fields, and COWS! It was my first time seeing Korean cows. The cows here are the Hanwoo breed. It's my first time seeing this kind of cattle and I'm from a small town where there are more cows than people. I was happy to see that farming here in Korea is very similar to back home. The farmers house is a little more messy than most and dirt isn't really that dirty. It's just like back home. They're also very friendly and very community oriented people.
Anyways, we arrived at the house to find that we would be eating beef for dinner. I was in bliss. In Korea, beef is extremely expensive so we don't eat it very often and we eat it in small amounts. However, we enjoyed copious amounts of grilled beef. We also had side dishes provided by Charles' mom.
After dinner, we went to Charles' home to wash up and relax. They had just built a new home and it was absolutely beautiful. It was a beautiful stone house with a completely wooden interior. It had a chandelier in the living room along with a HD big screen TV with quality I had yet to seen. There were 3 bedrooms and a Korean style sleeping room upstairs. They also have an older traditional Korean style house behind their new house and next to the barns where grandmother lives.
We spent the night playing punishment games and taking a walk along the river and beach. While on the beach, even though it was 12am, there were tons of people. There was a family fishing, friends drinking, couples walking, and even some sleeping in the pagodas. We had a beer and played basketball and some other sporty games. After a while we made our way home and settled down for the night in the big Korean room. There were 10 of us all sleeping on the floor. It was just like those shows on TV.
In the morning we had a traditional Korean breakfast consiting of rice, seawead soup, and a bunch of side dishes. It was fantastic. After lazing about for a while watching TV and chatting with the family we made our way back to Gwangju. On the drive home we saw some of the green tea fields that Boseong is famous for. It looked very pretty. The tea fields are grown on the steep side of a mountain in lines. It's the only break in the forests that cover all the mountains here.
I think that the next trip will have to be to Boseong to visit the green tea fields so I can spend a little more time admiring the sights. Boseong is also near the ocean so it can be a beach trip as well.
Overall, the trip was a success and I highly recommend this trip as a nice escape from the summer heat and a break from the crowded and salty beaches in the south.
This weekend I took my second trip to this "slow city" in South Jeolla Province. I made the trip, which was about 70km from Gwangju. We made our way on a Sunday afternoon to this "slow city". We made our way to a local swimming hole. I call it a local swimming hole because it's actually very small and only deep in certain places.
The swimming hole is right near the Slow City tourism office. We arrived at about 4 o'clock and there were still plenty of people there. We found a spot on the rocky beach and jumped right in. The hole is actually part of a small river. The river is surrounded by trees on one side and a rocky beach on the other. It's a very beautiful and refreshing river surrounded by Korean mountains. The best thing is that it's not for tourists. It's just a local beach where you go, have a picnic, a few beers and some soju. There are a lot of families swimming and most people are very kind and interested in the strange foreigner. It's not uncommon to have them float up to you to try their English because they haven't seen many foreigners.
After an afternoon of swimming we drove about 30 minutes to one of my friend's parents house. It's a beautiful rural area full of rice paddies, vegetable fields, and COWS! It was my first time seeing Korean cows. The cows here are the Hanwoo breed. It's my first time seeing this kind of cattle and I'm from a small town where there are more cows than people. I was happy to see that farming here in Korea is very similar to back home. The farmers house is a little more messy than most and dirt isn't really that dirty. It's just like back home. They're also very friendly and very community oriented people.
Anyways, we arrived at the house to find that we would be eating beef for dinner. I was in bliss. In Korea, beef is extremely expensive so we don't eat it very often and we eat it in small amounts. However, we enjoyed copious amounts of grilled beef. We also had side dishes provided by Charles' mom.
After dinner, we went to Charles' home to wash up and relax. They had just built a new home and it was absolutely beautiful. It was a beautiful stone house with a completely wooden interior. It had a chandelier in the living room along with a HD big screen TV with quality I had yet to seen. There were 3 bedrooms and a Korean style sleeping room upstairs. They also have an older traditional Korean style house behind their new house and next to the barns where grandmother lives.
We spent the night playing punishment games and taking a walk along the river and beach. While on the beach, even though it was 12am, there were tons of people. There was a family fishing, friends drinking, couples walking, and even some sleeping in the pagodas. We had a beer and played basketball and some other sporty games. After a while we made our way home and settled down for the night in the big Korean room. There were 10 of us all sleeping on the floor. It was just like those shows on TV.
In the morning we had a traditional Korean breakfast consiting of rice, seawead soup, and a bunch of side dishes. It was fantastic. After lazing about for a while watching TV and chatting with the family we made our way back to Gwangju. On the drive home we saw some of the green tea fields that Boseong is famous for. It looked very pretty. The tea fields are grown on the steep side of a mountain in lines. It's the only break in the forests that cover all the mountains here.
I think that the next trip will have to be to Boseong to visit the green tea fields so I can spend a little more time admiring the sights. Boseong is also near the ocean so it can be a beach trip as well.
Overall, the trip was a success and I highly recommend this trip as a nice escape from the summer heat and a break from the crowded and salty beaches in the south.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
What to Pack for Korea
First off, let's talk about luggage requirements by the airlines. As of mid-2011, you are allowed only 1 50 pound checked bags on most airlines, excluding Korean Air and Asiana Air, which happen to be the most expensive airlines. You'll have to check witht he airlines for actual prices for an extra bag, but when I flew Delta, I had to pay $70 for my second checked bag. Just remember that most airlines don't have a weight requirement for your checked bag and you're also allowed to carry on a purse or a laptop bag. So, choose wisely what you will bring. So, now onto what you'll want to pack.
For the most part, you can buy almost everything here unless you are a larger size in anything. That includes: underwear, bras, pants, shorts, shirts, coats, shoes, etc.
Shoes:
For the ladies who have a shoe size over a size 8/8.5 you need to bring shoes because they won't sell your size. Even around that size is difficult. You'll need tennis shoes and a seperate pair reserved only for the gym if you workout. You'll also need some slippers/slip on flip-flops, public schools and some others you'll need these for indoor shoes. You'll also need some nice shoes and some everyday shoes. Some for summer and winter. (Korea has 4 seasons.)
Underwear:
Panties won't be that difficult to find unless you're a larger size. However, bras are very difficult to find. If you're a C or bigger, you're S.O.L.! So, bring enough for a whole year. And if you wash them in the washing machine, you'll need to bring extra because these machines are harsh.
Pants:
Size 6 and down should be ok for bottoms. 8 and up, you'll need to bring a year supply of bottoms. Don't forget shorts for summer, capris for fall and spring, and also shorts for working out in or sleeping in.
Shirts:
Koreans have a very small bone structure so fitted shirts are difficult to fit into. Also, don't be offended when you go to try on a shirt and they tell you no. A lot of the time it's because we have bigger boobs and they don't want us to stretch them out.
Coats:
As far as coats are concerned, you'll need a heavy winter coat and a lighter coat for the inbetween weather. A few sweatshirts or zip-ups wouldn't hurt either.
Other necessities:
Tampons: You can find some small boxes here now but they're not as readily available as they are in the states. So, I suggest you bring a giant box of your favorite brand. Koreans love pads!
Toothpaste: Korean water doesn't have flouride and you really shouldn't drink it. And their toothpaste isn't my favorite. I can tolerate 2080 but that's about it. I would suggest bringing a couple tubes of your favorite brand. I like Crest Extra Whiting Mint flavored.
Makeup: Bring double your makeup. Korean makeup tends to be more expensive and you don't really know the brands. If you don't have a preference then don't waste the space.
DEODERANT: STOCK UP!! They barely sell any here and it's tiny spray bottles and they're very expensive. So, you need almost a year supply of this stuff.
Shaving supplies: If you don't mind using men's razors and shaving cream don't worry about it. But Koreans aren't as hairy and they don't really have a lot for women. So bring extra razors and shaving cream.
Spices / Food: Korea doesn't really have many spices. So, if you cook you'll definately need them. You'll be able to get salt and pepper and maybe some tumeric and some other random things. But you'll need most everything else. Taco seasoning, mac&cheese, hidden valley ranch packets (Korea doesn't have ranch dressing), oatmeal, etc. You're parents, friends, or relatives can send this later for a care package.
Others:
You'll just need a travel size of showering supplies. And for basic needs to last until you go shopping. A towel just in case your apartment doesn't have one yet. Having a shower right away after all the travel is needed, especially to relax. If you have no towel, it makes for a cranky start to Korea. I suggest bringing pictures, not just for you to look at but also to show other people and also to make your home more homey. Some books to read and also some movies.
Laptop:
Laptop = life here in Korea. It's your way to stay connected to home. You can make skype calls to ease the homesickness, watch movies, facebook, etc. You will become sick of watching TV that you can't understand so you'll want to watch stuff on your computer. Just remember when you're watching movies that you can only reset your laptop to different DVD regions a certain amount of times. So, you'll want to download a program that will allow you to watch any region of DVD's. Mine is now stuck on American DVD's (region 1) where my friend's is stuck on Korean (region 3). I also use my laptop in my classroom every day.
If You Have Room:
Bring some fun games for your kids. A deck of playing cars, catch phrase, or some other games depending on the age you teach. Twister for little kids is great.
F.Y.I.
Koreans are always dressed up, it seems. Going out they dress up, going shopping they look nice, and even just walking around they look nice. So, pack more of you nice clothes vs. your crappy jeans and comphy t-shirt.
Just bring some money to buy some of the extra things that you didn't bring. You don't get paid to the end of the month. So, you need money to last the month for food, drinks, and those extra supplies! Just think about what you absolutely can't live without, and pack it!
For the most part, you can buy almost everything here unless you are a larger size in anything. That includes: underwear, bras, pants, shorts, shirts, coats, shoes, etc.
Shoes:
For the ladies who have a shoe size over a size 8/8.5 you need to bring shoes because they won't sell your size. Even around that size is difficult. You'll need tennis shoes and a seperate pair reserved only for the gym if you workout. You'll also need some slippers/slip on flip-flops, public schools and some others you'll need these for indoor shoes. You'll also need some nice shoes and some everyday shoes. Some for summer and winter. (Korea has 4 seasons.)
Underwear:
Panties won't be that difficult to find unless you're a larger size. However, bras are very difficult to find. If you're a C or bigger, you're S.O.L.! So, bring enough for a whole year. And if you wash them in the washing machine, you'll need to bring extra because these machines are harsh.
Pants:
Size 6 and down should be ok for bottoms. 8 and up, you'll need to bring a year supply of bottoms. Don't forget shorts for summer, capris for fall and spring, and also shorts for working out in or sleeping in.
Shirts:
Koreans have a very small bone structure so fitted shirts are difficult to fit into. Also, don't be offended when you go to try on a shirt and they tell you no. A lot of the time it's because we have bigger boobs and they don't want us to stretch them out.
Coats:
As far as coats are concerned, you'll need a heavy winter coat and a lighter coat for the inbetween weather. A few sweatshirts or zip-ups wouldn't hurt either.
Other necessities:
Tampons: You can find some small boxes here now but they're not as readily available as they are in the states. So, I suggest you bring a giant box of your favorite brand. Koreans love pads!
Toothpaste: Korean water doesn't have flouride and you really shouldn't drink it. And their toothpaste isn't my favorite. I can tolerate 2080 but that's about it. I would suggest bringing a couple tubes of your favorite brand. I like Crest Extra Whiting Mint flavored.
Makeup: Bring double your makeup. Korean makeup tends to be more expensive and you don't really know the brands. If you don't have a preference then don't waste the space.
DEODERANT: STOCK UP!! They barely sell any here and it's tiny spray bottles and they're very expensive. So, you need almost a year supply of this stuff.
Shaving supplies: If you don't mind using men's razors and shaving cream don't worry about it. But Koreans aren't as hairy and they don't really have a lot for women. So bring extra razors and shaving cream.
Spices / Food: Korea doesn't really have many spices. So, if you cook you'll definately need them. You'll be able to get salt and pepper and maybe some tumeric and some other random things. But you'll need most everything else. Taco seasoning, mac&cheese, hidden valley ranch packets (Korea doesn't have ranch dressing), oatmeal, etc. You're parents, friends, or relatives can send this later for a care package.
Others:
You'll just need a travel size of showering supplies. And for basic needs to last until you go shopping. A towel just in case your apartment doesn't have one yet. Having a shower right away after all the travel is needed, especially to relax. If you have no towel, it makes for a cranky start to Korea. I suggest bringing pictures, not just for you to look at but also to show other people and also to make your home more homey. Some books to read and also some movies.
Laptop:
Laptop = life here in Korea. It's your way to stay connected to home. You can make skype calls to ease the homesickness, watch movies, facebook, etc. You will become sick of watching TV that you can't understand so you'll want to watch stuff on your computer. Just remember when you're watching movies that you can only reset your laptop to different DVD regions a certain amount of times. So, you'll want to download a program that will allow you to watch any region of DVD's. Mine is now stuck on American DVD's (region 1) where my friend's is stuck on Korean (region 3). I also use my laptop in my classroom every day.
If You Have Room:
Bring some fun games for your kids. A deck of playing cars, catch phrase, or some other games depending on the age you teach. Twister for little kids is great.
F.Y.I.
Koreans are always dressed up, it seems. Going out they dress up, going shopping they look nice, and even just walking around they look nice. So, pack more of you nice clothes vs. your crappy jeans and comphy t-shirt.
Just bring some money to buy some of the extra things that you didn't bring. You don't get paid to the end of the month. So, you need money to last the month for food, drinks, and those extra supplies! Just think about what you absolutely can't live without, and pack it!
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