When I first came to Korea, I had the misfortune of lugging my 2 XL suitcases up 5 sets of stairs. My school given apartment didn’t have an elevator – and I did NOT have the arm strength to accommodate. Summiting my building felt like such an accomplishment… until I realized I didn’t pack all that I needed, and overpacked things that I didn’t need at all. So to save many the struggle, I compiled a list of what I wish I brought, and what I wish I left behind.
After living and working here for a couple of years, these are the must-haves :
✅ Things I’m Glad I Brought (or Wish I Did)
1. Extra-Strength Tylenol Cold
Getting sick is almost guaranteed your first year here. New germs, new kids, new everything. Your immune system will be crying. While Korea has Tylenol Cold and Pharmacies, most medicine here is weak. Back home, it was so convenient to take one of these and have every symptom vanish. Here, you can get an alternative at the pharmacy, but most likely – your virus will come out of no where and you will need something from the convenience store or from the school nurse… and the options are limited.
When I first arrived in Korea, I avoided the going to the doctors. In Korea, its very common for coworkers to visit the doctor often with a common cold. Being a Canadian, I was raised on 3-hour waits at walk-in clinics. In turn, going to a hospital for a cold felt dramatic. But after one too many miserable days at work, I gave in and visited an ENT. No appointment, just Papago and a dream. Twenty minutes and $12 later, I had meds that got me back on my feet fast. Even still, I wish I had packed a small stash of Tylenol Cold from home.
2. Alka-Seltzer
Drinking is part of the culture here – even if there’s no pressure to drink at work dinners (My coworkers have been super respectful in regards to drinking in my experience). However if you do drink, some of you may eventually have a wild night or two. *** please drink responsibly ! ~ With wild nights, comes wild hangovers. While you can get hangover kits from the pharmacy here, the medicine is pretty weak (see number 1). Alka-Seltzer has been a tried and true method of easing the pain and regret of drinking too much.
Halfway through my first year here, a friend gifted me some Alka-Seltzer from home and it was magical. I have run out since then, but I’m already planning to stock up next time I visit home.
3. Deodorant
I knew deodorant was hard to find in Korea, but I didn’t realize how bad the local options were – especially for someone like me who definitely did inherit the smelly sweat gene. You can find deodorant here (Daiso, coupang, some convenience stores), but honestly they don’t work well.
I’ve had to part ways with more than one shirt thanks to ineffective formulas, and I now have a personal vendetta against Nivea for monopolizing the shelves. I use iHerb to order better stuff, but I wish I had stocked up more before coming.
4. Laundry Detergent Bars
This one’s niche but hear me out: single-use detergent bars. When I arrived, we had to quarantine for 10 days, then go straight to orientation. With no washing machine and only a few outfits left, I was stuck – until a friend gave me a little dissolvable detergent sheet. Lifesaver.
You don’t need to pack a full bottle of Tide, but bring a few bars just in case your luggage is lost or you can’t do laundry right away. Smelling like a 20-hour flight isn’t the best way to start orientation.
5. Heat Protectant Spray
Everyone told me, “Don’t pack beauty products – Olive Young has everything.” That’s… sort of true. But heat protectant spray? Not so much. They mostly carry oil or cream based heat protectant, and I really prefer a spray. I ended up waiting weeks for a decent option from Coupang and it was much more expensive than bringing my favorite one from home.
6. Heat Styling Tools
I thought I’d save space and just buy a straightener once I got here. In Canada, you can get a decent one at Winners or Walmart for $30. In Korea? The cheap ones don’t get hot enough, and the good ones are pricey. I ended up giving up and begging a friend to ship mine over.
If you’re picky about hair tools – bring them. Just make sure you pack the right power adapter.
7. Power Adapters (Bring More Than One!)
Since I’m from Canada, all my electronics are 110V. Korea runs on 220V with C or F type plugs, so I needed step-down adapters – and more than I realized.
Eventually, I bought three: two for home, and one for work because I kept forgetting my others at home. If you’re staying long-term, save yourself the daily “where’s my adapter” stress and bring a few.
8. Streaming Stick or HDMI Cable
My apartment came with a basic TV when I first moved here, so I was glad I brought my Fire Stick. Later, my landlord upgraded us to a Genie box, so I don’t need it anymore – but at first, it was a total lifesaver when I just needed to relax with Netflix.
8. Lactaid
Oh my god. If you are like me and have lactose intolerance don’t forget this. It is nearly impossible to find food products without milk in them here. Unless you are vegan, and look for products labelled as vegan you will run into hidden dairy. At this point, whenever I eat at a restaurant I take my pills just incase. They also don’t sell this at most pharmacies so I have to order online. It is one of the biggest pains.
❌ What I Wish I Left at Home
1. Half My Wardrobe
Packing clothes for all four Korean seasons is hard enough. Add in uncertainty about school dress codes and cultural appropriate outfits is extra stressful.
Even after spending time researching fashion on Pinterest – most of my wardrobe didn’t translate well. I definitely stood out and it was easy to tell I had just arrived. In Korea every city has its own style. Busan fashion is nothing like Seoul, Daegu, or rural towns. Within a month, I ended up buying what felt like a whole new wardrobe anyway. A disgrace to the fact that I originally had to carry those suitcases up five flights of stairs..
Disclaimer: By no means do you have to go out and buy any new clothes. I ended up buying more because I was inspired by the fashion here. In the end I think its best to wear what makes you feel good. People will stare anyway – so might as well wear what you love.
2. Heels
I love heels. I ignored every blog that said not to bring them. Big mistake.
Sidewalks here are brick, uneven, and ankle-murdering. I rolled mine after one block. If you do visit clubs here, just know the bathroom floors are wet 90% of the time. For going out, I switched to a cute pair of beat-up boots that I didn’t mind sacrificing to bathroom sludge. For everyday wear a pair of good walking sneakers is a must. Schools here require you to wear indoor shoes as well, so there is no need to go out a buy some nice dress shoes. I spend my time at school with a pair of $5 slippers. If you’re worried about finding stylish shoes here – don’t be. As a wide-foot girly I was sure I wouldn’t find any that fit, but there are tons of options in underground shopping centers that carry all different styles.
3. Tampons
Somewhere, someone told me tampons were rare here. I believed them and used up precious luggage space for a year’s supply. But actually? You can find them at Olive Young, most convenience stores, or online.
If you’re not picky about brands, you’re good. And if you use pads – Korean pads are honestly way better than any brand I have tried in Canada.
4. Umbrella
Unless you’re arriving in the middle of rainy season, skip packing an umbrella. You can find super cute ones here, and for cheap. Just avoid Daiso umbrellas. They collapse at the first gust of wind. Try Artbox or any nearby convenience stores instead.
5. Allergy Medicine
Obviously if you have life threatening allergies don’t leave them behind and blame me. But for more mild allergies – I have brutal spring allergies in Canada, so I packed a Costco-sized box of Claritin. And then… didn’t need it. Korea didn’t trigger my allergies nearly as much. I have been here a few years, and on my third year my allergies started to catch up with me. But If you are only coming for a short amount of time and you are short on luggage space, know there are options here for you.
Now I can just go to a pharmacy or ENT when needed. If allergies become a problem down the line, there are plenty of options here.
✈️ Final Advice
Don’t stress too much about packing. You can get almost everything you need here, and sites like Coupang, Gmarket, and iHerb are lifesavers. Pack light, focus on your essentials, and leave space for the unexpected. Teaching in Korea is an incredible adventure. Don’t let overpacking weigh you down (literally or mentally).