What to NOT to Pack: Seoul, South Korea - The Study Abroad Edition

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I’ve been busy with family and friends here since returning to the States, but now that I have some time to myself, I’d like to post a what NOT to bring kind of post since I posted a recommendation list of what to bring. Things here are just recommendations, so it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to listen to me. I just wanted to help out those who may be struggling on the “bring it or leave it” kind of ordeal. If I had some help around January with this kind of thing, I would have been able to save up more room in my luggage for some more awesome souvenirs.

So, without further ado, here is what I think you should be leaving behind when studying abroad in South Korea.

Item #1: Shower Sandals

Don’t bother bringing a pair because you can buy one for cheap when you arrive in South Korea. The local Daiso should sell them for under $1 and use it to the end of your term in South Korea then toss it when it’s time to go. It’s cheap, so you won’t be missing it much when you have to start packing up your accumulated things. I’ll be honest and tell you that I didn’t bring one, because I forgot to, but my friend gave me a pair of hers, so I was saved. It really helps, especially for those who don’t have a bathroom in your room.

I’m not sure if I mentioned this, but maybe bring a pair of slippers to use in your dorm. I often found my room to be quite dusty despite the fact that my roommate and I cleaned up every Friday.

Item #2: Sheets/Linen

Now, this could be iffy for some, but for most cases, you shouldn’t need to bring any for your dorm as the dormitories should be providing you these before you arrived - that goes the same with the pillow. Yes, I know your sheets may be comfy and nice, but you will save a lot of room in your suitcase when you pack. Unless you are looking to live in a goshiwon (고시원), then you shouldn’t have to worry about this. And even if you opt to live in a 고시원, just buy your sheets there. IT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF ROOM. That’s all I have to say, so though you may be saddened to part with your linen and sheets, part with it for a few months. You’ll be okay. *pats back*

In terms of bathroom linens, I’d say pack at least one towel so you can shower when you arrive to your housing. If you need more, head on out and buy them. At the end of the semester, you can either donate them or get rid of them.

Item #3: Hangers

I get it. You move to a whole new country and when you arrive, just HOW are you supposed to hang your clothes without hangers? Well, you can go out and buy them. Simple as that. During your time here, Daiso will be your best friend. They sell cheap things for your convenience, and finding one isn’t hard since they seem to be all over the place in South Korea. (I’m thinking of posting a blog about what Daiso is, but just not at this time.) Leave the hangers. They’re triangle in shape and take up room in your suitcase (and if you have a plethora of clothes, it’ll pose as a problem). Leave them and get some for cheap when you land.

If you have friends who studied abroad in South Korea and are returning home, have them save theirs for you! I was fortunate enough to have a friend do that for me, and it saved me a few bucks I could put into other things.

Item #4: Clothing

Girls, I know you love your clothes (I love mine, too), but you don’t need to carry your whole closet with you - and I’m looking at you, too, guys. I’m guilty of packing too much and ended having some clothes sit in my dorm closet for the whole semester. My friend ended up shipping some BACK home (which just cost her money she could have used for her obsession with cute things!). Don’t be one of us. Pack what you need. Research and know the weather you’ll be coming in. Coming during the fall/winter? Pack a few shorts for the heat and pack for the cold. Winter jackets are a pain to pack, I understand that. Work accordingly and discuss with friends and family on what the best option is for you.

For my spring/summer folks, pack a few jeans and think about the summer heat - that means, cut back on the long sleeves/thick sweaters because it’ll save you loads of room for packing. It’s okay to cycle your clothes (most of us won’t care or notice anyway). Besides, the clothes here are really cheap, so you’ll be able to buy other things (however, I will mention that their sense of style doesn’t really suit my tastes. I liked it at first, but then I quickly came to realize how cookie cutter their clothes were from shop to shop - I’m speaking of the cheap clothes you can get for under $10.)

Another advice: learn to layer! Layering is key and definitely saves space in your suitcase when you’re going to and fro.

Item #5: Shoes

Wait a minute…didn’t you say to BRING shoes in your “What to Pack?” Blog? Yes, but I’m speaking (and mostly at the ladies) who pack TOO much. Do you really need those three pairs of 3-4 inch heels? Yes, you look fantastic in them, but you don’t need it, I assure you that much. Let them sit at home. And when it comes to packing shoes, know WHAT to pack. Consider the monsoon season in South Korea, but that doesn’t mean I want you packing your rain boots. In fact, don’t pack your rain boots. You can buy a cheap pair here and toss it later. My advice for girls on what to pack would be a pair of comfortable shoes to walk in, a pair of flats and if you can’t leave without some added height, a pair of wedges. We all know they’re much more comfortable than high heels. Instead of the wedges, I brought a pair of ankle boots that matched almost all my clothes. South Korea, depending on where you are, can be filled with hills. Besides, their sidewalks are something I don’t like as they are uneven and are nothing more than trip-inducing. Think ahead, plan, and make it work.

Item #6: Curling Iron/Flat Iron & Hair Dryer

Guys, sit down, girls, ears on. You may love that curling iron that gives you the perfect curls, but you need to leave that behind at home. The reason why I’m telling you this is because, even with the converter I said you must have, they don’t work and probably won’t work like they do in the U.S. One reason I’m being serious on this one is because it can be dangerous. It could blow out or cause other hazardous things, so for your safety, I advise you to leave them at home where you know you can come back to and use them without risking injury (aside the occasional accident touching of skin to hot iron). I know it’s going to be tough, but you’ll have to learn how to style your hair without a curling iron or drier. If I may ask, I’d like you challenge you ladies on that. Learn other ways to curl your hair without heat because you’re hair will be safer and healthier that way. Nevertheless, if you need one to tame that wild hair of yours, by all means go out and purchase the necessary tools in South Korea. That way, it’ll work and you’ll have one in the right electricity voltage.

Ladies, sit down, men, stand up. I’m not a guy - and I think you should have known that by now, but I’ve talked with guys I studied abroad with and they say that for your beard and whatnot, beard trimmers and electric shavers are more expensive in South Korea. Being that as the case, you can pack your electric razor since I’ve been told they worked fine with the converter outlet.

Item #7: Shampoo

This is either a foot down situation or not because I ended up packing my sister’s Head & Shoulder 2 in 1 that lasted me the whole term (it gave up in the last few weeks, but it lasted quite a long time before I switched over to the travel sized stuff). If you don’t mind the added weight it adds to your luggage, then go ahead and pack it, but I would advice travel sized stuff. I know it maybe tempting to bring what you love, but there’s nothing wrong with trying out the brands South Korea has to offer. That, after all, is the excitement, isn’t it? To try what can be found there that can’t be found in your respective countries? Brands like Pantene, Dove, and other famous brands can be found here, but from what I can recall, they might be a bit more expensive since they are imported items.

Item #8: DVDs

Hey, it could happen. I brought it. And I ended up not watching them. They took up room in my luggage and sat on the second shelf on my desk for the whole semester collecting dust. My reasoning for bringing them was because they reminded me of home and they were a few of my favorites, but all they did was just sat there while I went out and WENT to the theaters. That goes for the same with games. My fellow gamers (yeah, I’m one), pack some, but not all. Learn to limit yourself to maybe two at best. You will have down time to spend by yourself, but just take what you need, not what you want. Learn to explore what is around you. South Korea is rich in many things, and I would recommend immersing yourself in their culture - music, food, movies, TV shows, etc. Language barriers may block you from fully understanding, but take the time to appreciate the country you are studying in. Unless there is going to be a cultural night where you all bring in your favorite movies for a night of cultural enrichment between all the other international students, I’d say leave the DVDs.

Item #9: Books

If you’re an avid reader, maybe invest in an e-book. Otherwise, you can be like my friend who may love her books, but aren’t so upset if she has to leave them behind or donate them. Not only to the books take up space, but they add weight to your luggage. I brought two books and ended up donating them, like my friend, when it was time to go.

Item #10: A Negative Attitude

I really didn’t know what to write for number 10, but I didn’t like leaving it at an odd number. I don’t know why it bugs me so, but I digress. The more I thought about it, the more I realized you shouldn’t have such a negative attitude when you come to South Korea. I met a girl (who I could have been potential roommates with), who had this horrible attitude about being in South Korea. She didn’t like her roommate, and she probably gave me a sugar coated story when I asked the reason why her roommate left, but her perspective on things put ME in a negative mood. (And what luck was it that we ended up being in a group in my online class. -_-) The overall take of this: you chose to study abroad in South Korea for a reason. South Korea didn’t force you to attend their universities, you applied and you accepted. I understand that you may get homesick and start to get annoyed when all you hear is Korean and see Korean everything, but just take a moment to relax and breathe. It’ll be alright!

As the Korean saying goes: 아자 아자 화이팅~!

Best of luck on your journey!