What to Pack for Your First Year Teaching in Korea

So you’ve signed your contract, booked your flight, and now you’re staring at an empty suitcase wondering what on earth to bring for a year in Korea. I’ve been there, and trust me, I overpacked some things and completely forgot others that would’ve made my life so much easier.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I left.

The Stuff You Actually Need

Deodorant. I’m putting this first because it’s genuinely hard to find the kind you’re used to in Korea. Korean deodorant is usually more like a light spray or powder, and Western-style stick deodorant exists but costs triple what you’d pay at home. Bring enough to last you a few months, then have family mail you more or stock up when you travel. This isn’t just a preference thing – when you’re nervous on your first day teaching and realizing your Korean drugstore deodorant isn’t cutting it, you’ll thank yourself for packing extra.

Shoes if you have big feet. Korean shoe sizing typically maxes out around a women’s US 9 or men’s US 10. If you’re bigger than that, bring multiple pairs of everything – dress shoes for school, sneakers, boots, casual shoes, gym shoes, the works. You can find larger sizes in Seoul at specialty shops like ABC Mart or in Itaewon, but it’s a hassle, expensive, and the selection is limited. Also, you’ll be doing a lot more walking than you probably do now. Korean cities are incredibly walkable, and you’ll rack up 10,000+ steps without thinking about it, so bring shoes you know are comfortable for the long haul.

Professional clothes that fit. Similar deal with clothing sizes. Korea has tons of amazing fashion, and the fast fashion scene is incredible, but if you’re not a small-to-medium build, finding work-appropriate clothes can be frustrating. Korean fashion tends to run smaller, and plus-size options are rare outside of specific online stores. Bring enough dress pants, blouses, button-downs, blazers, or work dresses to rotate through your teaching week comfortably. Remember, you’ll be in front of students and parents regularly, and Korean schools tend to lean more formal than you might expect. Think business casual at minimum. If you’re teaching elementary, you might get away with smart casual, but middle and high schools are stricter.

Also consider the seasons – Korean winters are brutal if you’re not prepared, and summers are hot and humid. Bring or plan to buy clothes for both extremes.

Any prescription medications with a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s note. Korea has excellent healthcare, and you’ll get Korean health insurance through your school, but getting your exact medication switched over takes time and requires doctor visits to get new prescriptions. Some medications have different names in Korea, and others might not be available at all. Bring at least three to six months’ worth to give yourself a buffer while you figure out the system. This goes double for mental health medications, birth control, or anything you take daily.

Over-the-counter medications you rely on. Things like Advil, Tylenol PM, Benadryl, or specific cold medicines you like. You can find pain relievers and basic meds in Korea, but they’re packaged differently, the dosages might be different, and reading the boxes in Korean when you have a splitting headache is not fun. Bring a small stash of the basics until you figure out the Korean equivalents.

Vitamins and supplements. If you take specific vitamins or supplements regularly, bring them. Korea has vitamin shops, but finding your exact brand or formulation can be tricky, and they can be pricey.

What You Don’t Need to Bring

All your electronics. Korea has some of the cheapest, best electronics in the world. Need a hair dryer, rice cooker, or phone charger? Buy it there. Your apartment might even come with basics like a washing machine, and definitely will have a fridge. Seoul’s Yongsan Electronics Market is legendary, and even small cities have plenty of electronics stores. Plus, Korean voltage is 220V, so your 110V North American appliances won’t work without a converter anyway, which is annoying and bulky. Just buy what you need when you arrive – it’ll probably be better quality and cheaper than what you’d bring from home.

A year’s worth of toiletries. Seoul has Olive Young on every corner (think Ulta, Sephora, or Boots rolled into one), and even smaller cities have plenty of drugstores and cosmetic shops. You can find most international brands like Pantene, Dove, or Nivea, plus you’ll probably end up trying Korean skincare anyway because it’s everywhere and honestly pretty great. Bring enough shampoo, conditioner, and basics to last a week or two while you get oriented, but don’t pack your entire bathroom cabinet.

Tons of books. They’re heavy, they take up valuable suitcase space, and you’ll have access to e-books, Kindle, and English bookstores in larger cities. Seoul has several great English bookshops, and there are always teacher book swaps happening. Bring one or two favorites if reading physical books helps you settle in, but don’t pack your entire library. You can also find free little libraries and book exchanges in expat-heavy neighborhoods.

Kitchen stuff. Your apartment will come with basic kitchen supplies, or your school might help you get essentials when you arrive. Korean apartments vary wildly in what they include, but you’ll at least have the basics. You can buy dishes, pots, pans, and utensils cheaply at Daiso (Korean dollar store, but way better) or E-Mart (like Target or Walmart). Don’t waste luggage space on this stuff.

The Stuff That’ll Make Your Life Better

Photos from home. Your apartment might feel pretty stark at first, especially if you’re in a small town. Korean rental apartments are often furnished but minimally decorated – white walls, basic furniture, very utilitarian. A few printed photos of family, friends, your pets, or your favorite places make a surprising difference when you’re homesick at 2 AM and wondering what you’re doing on the other side of the world. Bring a small photo album or print out some 4x6s to stick on your fridge or wall. It sounds cheesy, but it helps.

Your favorite snacks for the first week. While you’re figuring out Korean grocery stores, reading labels in Hangul, and trying to identify what everything is, having some familiar comfort food is clutch. Pack some granola bars, instant coffee you like, hot chocolate packets, or whatever snacks make you feel at home. After that first adjustment week, you’ll discover your new favorites (honey butter chips, Choco Pies, banana milk, and every flavor of ramen imaginable), but those first few days are overwhelming, and sometimes you just want something familiar.

A few comfort items. Maybe it’s your favorite coffee mug, that hoodie you’ve had since college, a blanket your grandma made, or a small stuffed animal. One or two things that feel distinctly like “you” can make a generic apartment feel more like home. Don’t go overboard, but give yourself permission to bring something purely for emotional comfort. Teaching abroad is an adventure, but it’s also hard sometimes, and having something familiar helps.

An unlocked phone. If your phone is unlocked, you can just pop in a Korean SIM card and be good to go. This is way easier than buying a new phone in Korea or dealing with international plans. Check with your carrier before you leave to make sure your phone is unlocked and will work on Korean networks.

Laptop or tablet. You’ll use this for lesson planning, entertainment, video calls home, and staying connected. Most teachers bring their own because it has all their stuff already set up. Your school might provide one, but it’ll likely be older and set up entirely in Korean.

A good water bottle. Koreans love their water bottles, and you’ll be carrying one everywhere. Bring one you already like rather than trying to find the perfect one while jet-lagged.

Teaching supplies if you’re picky. Most schools provide basic supplies, but if you’re particular about your whiteboard markers, stickers, or have favorite teaching materials, bring some of your go-to items. Korean stationery is incredible though (seriously, Daiso will become your second home), so you don’t need to go crazy here.

Clothing Reality Check

Let’s talk about clothes more specifically because this trips people up. Korean fashion is trendy and accessible, but the sizing and style norms are different. If you’re used to wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work, that might not fly depending on your school. Some hagwons (private academies) are more relaxed, but public schools can be quite formal.

For women: Skirts and dresses are common, but they’re usually knee-length or longer. Shoulders are often more covered. It’s a different modesty standard than some Western countries. If you have tattoos, you might need to cover them depending on your school.

For men: Button-downs, dress pants, and nice shoes are standard. Sneakers might be okay at some schools, but don’t count on it. Some schools require ties.

Bring clothes that make you feel professional and confident, but also remember you’ll be moving around, sitting on the floor sometimes (Korean culture thing), and possibly doing active games with kids. Comfort matters.

The Seasonal Surprise

If you’re arriving in spring or fall, you might not realize how extreme Korean seasons are. Winters get legitimately cold – think below freezing, wind chill, snow in many areas. Summers are hot, humid, and muggy, with a monsoon season that brings heavy rain. Your apartment will likely have heated floors (ondol) and A/C, but you’ll still need appropriate outerwear.

If you’re arriving in winter, bring or plan to buy quickly: a serious winter coat, warm boots, gloves, and scarves. If you’re arriving in summer, you’ll want lightweight, breathable clothes and an umbrella. Korean buildings crank the A/C hard though, so bring a cardigan or light jacket for indoors.

The Real Talk

You’re going to second-guess everything you pack. You’ll zip up your suitcase thinking you forgot something crucial, then panic about whether you packed too much or not enough. Here’s the truth: Korea is a modern, developed country with stores, Amazon-style delivery through Coupang (seriously, it’s faster than Amazon – sometimes same-day), and Daiso on every corner. Unless it’s truly specific to you – medications, special sizes, particular brands you can’t live without – you can probably get it there or order it online.

The expat teaching community is also incredibly helpful. There are Facebook groups, KakaoTalk chats, and Reddit communities full of teachers who’ve been exactly where you are. They’ll tell you where to find things, what the Korean equivalent is, or even mail you something if you’re desperate. You’re not doing this alone.

Also, you’ll probably send home a box of stuff within your first few months because you realize you don’t need it. That’s totally normal. And you’ll probably have your family mail you things you didn’t think you’d miss. That’s also normal.

The most important thing you’re bringing isn’t in your suitcase anyway. It’s your flexibility, your sense of humor for when things don’t go as planned, your openness to a completely different way of living, and your willingness to embrace feeling uncomfortable sometimes. Korea will challenge you, surprise you, frustrate you, and delight you – sometimes all in the same day.

That, and deodorant. Seriously, don’t forget the deodorant.

Safe travels, and enjoy your adventure. A year from now, you’ll be the one giving packing advice to the next nervous teacher, laughing about how you thought you needed to bring all that stuff, and probably planning your next year abroad because once you start, it’s hard to stop.