Oh Boy

With 13 days left until my departure date I am no longer able to avoid thinking about packing... :(

Yesterday I went out with my momma and got a suitcase. It's purple! And is right at the 62 linear inches mark, so I hope that they don't come up with some larger number if they measure it by hand. It's a hardcover suitcase, so it's completely open and free to fill on both sides. Which is awesome for all of my clothes and shoes, but totally terrible for my weight limit! ..I am also a professional clothes-roller. I have managed to fit almost everything that I would like to take with me, and after some swapping between my carry-on I think I've worked it out so that I'm just within the weight limit.

Going through my shoes was so difficult! I felt like a real girl last night as I was picking through them all, weeping. (Not really. But almost.) I have too many pairs! I kept thinking, "Man, Kyleigh and I really are sisters."

But before packing I researched what others who've made the same trip had brought, and combed through lists my recruiter was kind enough to give me. It's really interesting what they tell you to bring and what they tell you to leave behind. Deodorant, for example, is somewhat difficult to find in South Korea and terribly expensive compared to what we're used to paying. I've heard that half the size is twice the price. Woah! And for all of you ladies, if you will ever want to wear tampons you should bring them. Also, if you wear a size C or larger, bring enough bras to last you, because you won't be able to find any. (So I've heard. If I find it to be otherwise, I'll try to inconspicuously mention it in a future post.)


Here is a list of what I recommend bringing:
1. Reese's. -for eating, sharing, and saving for later.
2. Deodorant!! -shampoo/conditioner/razors are readily found, so don't worry about it unless you want to pack a little in your carry-on (minus the razor) like I'm doing :)
3. Towel(s) -towels in Korea aren't as large as what we're accustomed to. So if having a smaller towel won't bother you, then you won't have to waste luggage space :)
4. Sheet set(s) -Korea uses a slightly different type of bedding.
5. Coats for winter and monsoon season.
6. Comfy shoes, dressy shoes, and monsoon shoes. -I don't know what the largest size available is, but I'm fairly certain that if you wear larger than an 8 (women, I don't know about men), you will not have much luck in purchasing any.
7. Enough sweaters to not need to heat your house into oblivion in colder months.
8a. Clothes for your body type -having never been there, I don't know the largest/smallest sizes available, or what their average inseams are.
8b. Clothing for teaching, going out with friends/co-teachers, exercising, sleeping, and bumming around the house.
9. Your favorite vitamins, pain killers, and any medication you need.
10. Mac n' cheese, taco seasoning, any sauce packets or snacks you may miss. -this is one I've seen on a lot of lists!
11. Multiple things to do on the airplane.
12. Photographs -for your living space and your students.
13. A little gift for the director of your school and the co-teacher -it lets them know that you appreciate the opportunity to work with and for them, and is a simple and polite gesture that will help set you off on the right foot :)

**A side note, I would recommend arriving at least with the ability to read the Korean alphabet, Hangul, with an open and adventurous spirit, and with enough of certain articles so that the fact that you do not have access to a dryer for your clothes doesn't affect you.


It feels kind of strange, though, to be packing for a year in advance. It puts all of this into perspective. I know it's going to be tough at times to be so far from my friends and family. Your support means so much to me, and I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, even though it hasn't really begun yet. I'll make sure to keep everything updated!

As always, feel free to leave any questions or comments. If there is anything you would add to the list, let me know!

:)