Things you definitely want to take with you

If you are thinking about traveling to the Eastern part of the world and perhaps to other places, you will definitely need to bring these things.These are especially for those looking to visit a country for a long time; maybe you are going for weeks, months or years. These are essential so prepare yourself ESL Teachers.

1. Deodorant

   I don’t know about other countries but if you are traveling to Korea whether to teach or for vacation, make sure to bring deodorant. Koreans don’t sweat like Westerners so finding deodorant will not be easy. And if you do find it, it will cost you your soul-kidding. Deodorant will cost you about $9 or more.When I was packing for Korea, I packed 10 deodorant sticks and I am glad I did. If you pack 7-10 you will be fine but if you pack anything less, you better be able to transform into a Korean or you are going to smell like rotten refried beans. Take your deodorant.

2. Spices

   If like me you like to cook, bring your own spices. It is difficult to find Western spices in Korea but there are plenty of fresh non-canned/bottled spices you can buy. You can find spices, but they are also very expensive especially if it’s spices that Koreans don’t use. A few weeks ago I went to a grocery store because I wanted to make pesto chicken and macaroni and cheese. A co-worker bought me the macaroni from the military base grocery store among other things but forgot to get me the pesto. When I found the pesto on the foreign section of the grocery store, it was 13 thousand won, which is about $11 and it was the smallest bottle of pesto I had ever seen. Not only that, it didn’t taste like the pesto I buy from Wal-mart back home. It tasted like leaves and oil. And if you like your hot cocoa with honey like I do, mmmm so delicious, then bring
   your own honey. Honey is very very very very expensive in Korea.



3. Insect repellent

   This one is a must. If you forget this one, you might be swallowed by a Korean mosquito, like I have mentioned in other posts, mosquitoes are huge in Korea. I brought one 8oz can of “off” and it is almost out. So if I don’t write for awhile after the can runs out, fly to Korea and find the biggest mosquito nest, I will be wrapped up next to the queen.

4. Big Towel

   If you don’t want to wipe yourself with a face towel then bring a towel. Koreans don’t use big towels and unless you are in a big city, you might not be able to find one. I brought two and it was a smart choice. I recommend bringing at least 2.

5. Dental floss

   I am keen on personal hygiene and I am sure you are too. Unless I am wrong. Bring dental floss because it is not widely used in Korea and therefore overpriced.

6. Tampons

   I know guys are not supposed to talk about these things but when was I ever a part of the norm? Ladies, bring tampons to last you the time you are going to be in Korea or anywhere else you might want to go. In Korea, you will have a hard time finding these. I know pads are common among women (I really should have stayed out of those conversations) but you will find tampons before you find pads in Korea. I know the foreign girls here will not lie about something like this.

7. Condoms

   Gentlemen, better be safe than sorry. My foreign friends who have been hear longer say that you will find condoms but you will not find your size; not only that, they are expensive. I think that is all I need to say here.

8. Money for the first month

   Do not overlook this one or the sky will fall on you. As an ESL teacher, you get paid at the end of the month. If you come in the middle of the month, not only will you not get paid at the end of the month you arrive in, you will have to stay home for a week or two without working because of the new regulation the Korean government has enacted to aviod the spread of foreign diseases. Maybe I heard wrong when I heard kimchi cures everything. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

9. International Drivers License

   This is something I wish I knew about before leaving for Korea because I met a gentleman who was more than willing to give me motorcycle lessons for free but I don’t have an international license. You don’t need to take a test to get one; just go to the DMV and fill out a form, show your ID and you are on your way. The hardest part of this process is getting at the front of the line since DMV lines can be a few blocks in the U.S.



10. Passport

    You need it to even get on the plane but you need it for much more than that in Korea. It is your only form of identification for the first few weeks you are in Korea until you get your alien registration card. You will also need your passport to send money home, open a bank account and to use the bathroom-joke, in my previous life I was a comedian. If you don’t have one and plan on traveling to Teach as an ESL Teacher, you are not going anywhere, so make getting your passport your number one priority.

11. Shoes & clothes

    If you are a tall handsome guy or a drop dead georgious angel from the heavens or just big, you are going to have a hard time finding clothes that fit you. You will find clothes and shoes that fit but it’s going to be a scavenger hunt.

12. Reading material

    Bring reading material because the foreigner section at the bookstore is very small.

I think that covers the most important things. These are the things I was and was not made aware of before coming to Korea. Hopefully I didn’t forget anything, but if I did or you just have questions, ask away because I love questions.

Tagged as: bring these if you're going to korea