Julian, The International

MONEY
You will probably not be able to set up a bank account in Korea until after orientation, when you have moved to your place of work. Therefore it is important that you bring enough cash with you to last your first month. Only certain foreign exchange banks can exchange your cash for Korean won, so it may be best to transfer money at the airport when you arrive. There are some ATMs that will be able to access your accounts back home, but these are not common. You will receive your airfare reimbursement or settlement allowance for the to-Korea leg of your trip by the end of your first month.

CLOTHES
A professional and neat appearance is very important in Korea. Some schools require teachers to dress in suits while other schools are more relaxed. At the EPIK orientation, business casual is appropriate. Teachers usually wear conservative clothing, which cover the shoulders and come down to the knees. People who are bigger than the average Korean person may find it more difficult to buy new clothes or shoes in Korea. You'll also want to bring shoes that are easy to take on and off frequently. Korea has four distinct seasons with a wide variation in temperature and a varied wardrobe is needed. Summer (June - August) is very hot and humid while winter (December - February) is cold and dry. You may want to have bulky winter items shipped to you later.

TOILETRIES
You can find most everything in bigger cities, but you may not find the same brand- names that you are used to back home. In other areas of the country, some toiletries are not as readily available. Makeup for skin tones other than the typical Korean is hard to find. Please be advised that deodorant is not readily available in Korea. If you use certain things on a regular basis, it's best to bring some with you until you can find suitable replacements in Korea.

MEDICINE
As with most cultures, good health is very important to Korean people. You will never be at a loss for medicine and unique cures to any of your ailments, but you may not find the brand names that you are used to back home. With your EPIK health insurance, which you will receive after your contract begins, healthcare and dental work is rather inexpensive.

TEACHING MATERIALS
EPIK duties can change over the course of the year, so you might need teaching materials that can be used for elementary students through adults, including Korean teachers. In bigger cities, there are plenty of teaching materials available for purchase, but in smaller cities they can be harder to find.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
During the EPIK Orientation you will be provided with most everything you need except for a kitchen and kitchen items. Every EPIK participant should then be given an apartment by their POE with the basic furnishings of a Korean household. This will include a bed, table with chairs, kitchen gas range, refrigerator, washing machine, and television. Other household items may be provided or may need to be bought with the settlement fee provided by EPIK. All apartments are heated by a heated floor system, but central air conditioning is not common in Korea. Most Koreans also do not use dryers when doing laundry.

FOOD
Traditional Korean food is delightfully colorful and has a wide array of dishes. Bigger cities have stores like Costco or Walmart, and large Korean grocery chains are carrying more and more Western food and snack brands. Most Korean people drink filtered water, which is readily available for free from water dispensers in restaurants and public buildings.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity in Korea is 220 volts; therefore it is necessary to bring proper converters or adapters.