So here is just a basic bit of info on what to pack if you are coming to teach in Korea.
1) Bring one good warm jacket, the winter is darn cold and you will need it and make sure its thick. You can get plenty of stuff here but I doubt you will want to be spending your first few days in the cold trying to get a good jacket, there are better things to be doing.
2) Socks and Jocks here are pretty well priced but are sometimes odd looking but I wouldn't waist space bringing lots of those. Also I bought thermal underwear and it was kind of useful and its light so you might aswell get a pair of those too.
3) Bring one or two good books to read. After a few months you will see the value of having a a book with english words in it.
4) Dont waist space with shower gel, tooth paste and shampoo they have that all over here and its all good quality and does the job. They have really cheap razors and shaving cream here too (they are big on their Nivea stuff). Koreans are mostly metro's too so face creams and stuff are everywhere.
5) Deoderant is not impossible to get hold of so bring one or two cans from home. It is pretty expensive, but relative to what you are earning its not too bad. These oaks dont sweat really so its not really a big thing for them.
6) The clothes here are awesome and you can find some real bargains with jeans and shirt and they have really good suits and smart shirts too that are all well priced. So once again dont full up your bags with four suits. I usually just wear a colarred shirt and smart pants to school. Also get some comfy slops to wear indoors at school they are all worried about how dirty the floor is outside so aslong as you just change your shoe when you come inside you can pretty much wear anything you want on your feet. That doesnt give you and excuse to wear crocs, there is never a good reason to wear that stuff.
7) You are gonna want to have some nice pictures of where you live to show the people at your school. They will be fascinated by pictures of your pets, garden, big house and bathroom. Those pictures will be great for the first few weeks of lessons.
8) I bought myself a netbook (small laptop) before I came and its been great. I think you must have a computer when you get here because you want to send emails home to tell you mom to stop crying and tell you brother to leave your stuff. There are places call PC bangs (computer rooms) which charge $7.00 and hour for internet so that also an option. But buying a PC is also an option and maybe a little cheaper but that also means extra trouble in getting the warranty worked out and gettign english sofware.
9) Look at the girls version of this to see about what plugs to bring.
10) Bring some of your favourite food from home, even if they sell it here it will be something to chew on while you are curled up on your bed and crying for home.
