Moving to South Korea Packing List (Fulbright English Teaching Assistant)

This packing list has more winter clothes because I will be arriving in Korea in January. :snowflake:

I am trying very hard to not pack too much clothes! That was the biggest mistake I made when packing for study abroad in Korea. The sizing in Korea sometimes works for me, so I can buy more clothes there if needed. These are the questions I am asking myself to try and narrow down my list:

  1. Do I feel comfortable and confident in these clothes?
  2. Do these clothes air dry easily? (Most homes will have a washer but no dryer.)

I was also able to remove things from my packing list by checking if Gmarket or Coupang (kind of like the Amazon of Korea) sell them for an acceptable price.

I will come back and edit this with things I didn’t need to bring and things I wish I had brought!

:100: - very happy I brought this

Travel Essentials

  • passport + visa + photocopies
  • Fulbright paperwork
  • wallet + emergency cash
  • inflatable travel pillow
  • masks :mask:
  • disinfecting wipes
  • jet lag prevention pills
  • eye mask
  • ear plugs
  • T-money cards (Korean transportation card)

Quarantine/PPE Supplies

As soon as I arrive in Korea, I have to do a mandatory 2 week quarantine. I am bringing some extra supplies to make it more comfortable since I will not be allowed to leave the dorm room.

  • alcohol wipes
  • face shields
  • bed sheet - For peace of mind when sleeping at the quarantine facility.
  • clothes hangers
  • paper towel roll :100:
  • mug

Teacher Clothes

Fulbright asks us to bring business casual clothes for teaching and for Fulbright activities. I’ve read that a lot of schools have a more casual dress code, but I would rather be a little overdressed than a little underdressed. :smile:

  • dress (collared)
  • blazer
  • nice tops (4)
    • black peplum
    • black wrap
    • jade button-up
    • lilac button-up
  • dress pants (4)
    • beige
    • black (2)
    • navy
  • skirts (2)
    • black
    • yellow
  • dress socks (2)

Clothes

  • raincoat
  • tops (3)
    • adidas
    • blue & flower
    • Chimmy tee
  • jean pants
  • casual dresses (4)
    • brown
    • geometric
    • purple
    • striped

Cold Weather Gear

  • beanie
  • long down jacket :100:
  • hoodie
  • sweater (white & blue)
  • Heattech :100:
    • long sleeve shirts (3)
    • sleeveless shirt
    • black tights
  • GD long sleeve shirt
  • scarf
  • gloves

Warm Weather Gear

  • Airism tank tops (2)
  • jean shorts
  • swimsuit + rash guard :100:

Athletic Gear

Packing a lot - I usually workout every day, and don’t know how often I’ll be able to do laundry if I’m placed in a homestay. Clothes might also take a long time to air dry (it can get very humid in Korea).

  • resistance band
  • headbands (2)
  • sports bras (3)
  • dry-fit shirts (2)
  • shorts (5)
  • leggings (2)

Undergarments

  • bras (5)
  • underwear
  • thinx shorts (4)
  • quarter socks (4)
  • athletic socks (6)
    • ankle (3)
    • calf (3)

Lounge + Sleep

  • oversized t-shirt
  • sweatpants
  • winter pajamas
  • silk pillowcase

Shoes

  • loafers
  • sneakers (3)
    • everyday
    • workout
    • waterproof
  • shower shoes :100:
  • indoor slippers
  • outdoor slippers
  • boots

Accessories

  • sun hat :100:
  • baseball cap
  • belt

Bags

  • backpack
  • backpack purse
  • foldable eco bag (2)

Toiletries

  • travel shampoo
  • baby lotion
  • eczema lotion :100:
  • toothbrush + charger + replacement heads
  • toothpaste
  • floss picks
  • Curology (face wash + moisturizer + acne medication)
  • deodorant :100:
  • hand sanitizer
  • wax strips
  • nail clippers + file
  • tweezers
  • lip balm
  • sunscreen
  • pimple patches
  • cotton swabs
  • eyebrow shaver
  • menstrual cup + liners
  • baby wipes
  • abreva

Bath

  • quick dry towels (face + hair + body)
  • large bath towel
  • exfoliating towel

Electronics

  • phone + charger
  • laptop + charger
  • power adapters (4)
  • power strip
  • portable charger
  • GoPro + tripod + accessories
  • earphones (wired + wireless)
  • HDMI cable
  • flash drive
  • external hard drive

Medicine & Supplements

  • vitamin C
  • vitamin D
  • antihistamine
  • Pepto Bismol
  • Tylenol/Advil
  • Ricola :100:
  • insect repellent

School Supplies

  • pencil bag
  • scissors
  • thank you cards

Miscellaneous

  • spare glasses
  • water bottle + straw brush
  • laundry bag
  • safety pins (6)
  • measuring tape
  • hot chocolate mix

Gifts

  • texas keychains :100:
  • chocolate
  • gift bags

Things I wish I had brought

  • tea for quarantine!!!!

Things I didn’t need to bring

  • foldable eco bag (I got 3 as part of the Fulbright welcome package…)
  • so much business casual clothes (this depends on your school, but we had casual dress so the only time I wore business casual was for Fulbright events)
  • jet lag prevention pills (didn’t work AT ALL)

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