I have just a few more weeks before I go home and leave this place behind for now. Learning how life worked here has been the hardest obstacle by far, which not only includes the little intricacies of how you should behave, but also where things are sold. There really aren’t all-inclusive stores here like supermarkets. They exist, but they are far more few and in between. Most of the time, it seems like students like me will hop from store to store until they complete their grocery list. Mostly everything you can find in the U.S., you can find here.
But from personal experience, it’s better to bring what you can from home if it fits in your suitcase. Not only for convenience or comfort, but when you try to get settled into your hotel or dorm first thing coming off the plane, the last thing you will want to do is go grab the items you didn’t bring from home. Here are some items that I really wish I brought with me; it really would have saved my butt on my first day here.
Toilet paper
If you’re studying abroad, they will not give you toilet paper when you move into the dorm. It’s nice to have at least just one roll to start off with until you’re able to get your hands on a pack.
Shower necessities
Trust me, you’re not going to want to walk all the way to an Olive Young or somewhere to get your shampoo conditioner and body wash on your first night here. I brought all of my hair products because I’m picky about them, but at least bring travel sizes so you can shower on your first night here without worrying about getting what you need.
This includes not only shampoo and conditioner, but also body wash and something to wash your body with.
Grocery bags
Not only do you have to ask for a bag when checking items out at a store, but you also have to pay around 100 to 500 won for it depending on the size. It would be beneficial to carry plastic bags around to reuse them or bring a reusable grocery bag.
But also, public trash cans are very hard to find. In my experience, the only way I’ve been able to throw away trash is to find an open trash bag somewhere in an alley, which is not ideal. I would keep a plastic bag in your purse to keep your trash in while exploring Seoul.
Tip: At street markets, you can ask most vendors to throw away your trash for you! Some might ask you to buy something first, though.
A tote bag/big purse
You’re going to want one. Carrying a ton of bags around can get annoying, so if you have a larger bag, you can store things in it before having to pay for another bag.
Plus, the waters have two sizes here: small and 2 liter. Since you’re going to be drinking a lot of water, it’s good to grab the bigger water bottle, and you’re going to be lugging it around by hand if you don’t have the space to put it in your bag (and trust me, there’s no good way to carry those 2-liter bottles).
If you don’t like using a ton of plastic, you can also bring a refillable water bottle, but there aren’t really any public water fountains. So, if you need water, you’ll likely have to pour water from a plastic bottle into your refillable bottle anyway.
Body towel
If you’re staying in a hotel, the towels they will give you are more akin to hand towels. As foreigners, we aren’t really accustomed to this, so if this will be an issue, I would pack a towel.
If you’re studying abroad and staying in the dorm, they will most likely not provide you with towels either. This ties into #2 – bring what you need to shower so you don’t have to fight the jet lag and go shopping the first day you get here.
Not to mention, the body towels here can be smaller than the ones we get in the USA. If you prefer big towels like me, it’ll be difficult to find one the right size in Korea.
Korean Won
There are plenty of places to exchange USD for KRW, especially in big cities, but you will never know when you’ll need cash suddenly. Some restaurants don’t take cards and most street market vendors don’t either.
I’ve also found that conversion rates in the U.S. tend to be better than in Korea. Research around different banks in your area to find the best conversion rates.
Deodorant
Most Koreans lack the gene that gives sweat that classic BO scent, so deodorant is not very popular. It’s hard to find here, and if you do find it, it won’t be as good as what we use in America. I would bring at least two of your favorite deodorant, and I’d encourage looking into an antiperspirant if you don’t already use one.
I’d also bring some deodorant wipes–Korea is very humid, and you will be sweating everywhere. Deodorant wipes absorb the sweat and some are scented, too. They’re very useful for when your arms, neck, and face are sweaty. They’ve been a lifesaver.
Tennis shoes
Not just comfortable shoes – specifically shoes made for walking or running: something athletic.
You will be walking a lot. While America is quite flat, there are tons of little hills in Seoul, and some are so steep that they even have staircases on the sidewalk. No matter how comfortable your sandals are, they are not suited for the hours of exercise you will be doing. Your feet will thank you if you bring the right shoes. I’d suggest looking into more high-end shoes if you want some extra comfort, but cheaper brands are just as good too.
Mini fan
You will need these. No joke. Although they’re considered tacky in the States, they’re commonly used here.
I recommend bringing both a handheld fan and a USB fan, as the government regulates AC temperatures here and even indoors is not completely cool enough to save you from the summer heat. I often find myself sweating indoors, especially in classrooms.
The USB fan I brought, although little, packs a huge punch and keeps me cool during the warm summer nights.
And carrying around a mini fan is a lifesaver in the summer heat. They sell these in convenience stores, but after borrowing some of my friends’ mini fans that they brought from home, the ones sold in the U.S. work much better.
Painkillers/cold medicine
If you’re staying in Korea for an extended amount of time, you might find yourself with a headache, a fever, or maybe even a cold. Either we Americans have developed a huge tolerance to painkillers or the painkillers in Korea are lackluster in comparison, because I find that they just don’t work for me. Honestly, it’s probably a combination of both.
Korean cold medicine lacks that same punch, too. People that I’m studying abroad with have complained about the cold medicine and really wish they brought some from home with them.
The truth is, if you don’t bring these things, your life will still be fine. You will just have to go around store-hopping until you find what you need. But jet lag is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, and with a time difference of over 12 hours if you’re coming from the U.S., it will hit you like a truck. If the easiest arrival is your goal, then learn from someone with regrets about what they (didn’t) put in their suitcase.
Grey Hampsmire, University of Iowa, is studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.
