Last updated 2023.03.28
Packing
The following are some suggested items to bring to Korea. This list is by no means exhaustive of all you or your dependents may need. However, it is provided as a reference.
Please note that you should bring with you anything you will need immediately in Korea (within the first few days).
Please note that you should bring with you anything you will need immediately in Korea (within the first few days).
Documents to bring:
- Passport & printed visa
- Second form of photo ID (e.g., driver's license, university ID, etc.)
- Printed copy of your Fulbright Award Document and Award Letter
- Korean cash (for transportation, or emergencies)
- ASPE letter and/or personal insurance card (ASPE letter to be issued by KAEC)
- 1 passport photo (for your Residence Card application after arrival)
- Copies of medical prescriptions (particularly if bringing medication into Korea) and insurance cards (if insured)
- Copy of eye glass/contact lens prescription (if applicable)
- Optional: International Driver's License (if you plan to drive in Korea)
- Other: _________________
If traveling with dependents, please also bring:
- Printed copy of marriage certificate
- Printed copy of children's birth certificates
- 1 passport photo for each dependent who will be applying for a Residence Card
Items to bring:
Clothing, Shoes & Toiletries: Be conscious of size differences when it comes to clothing in Korea. Even if you may be considered "average" in the U.S. (e.g., size 12 for women), it may be difficult to find clothes that fit. Although "free" size clothing is common in Korea and international stores, like H&M, carry international sizes, if you are above average in any way (e.g., height, weight, bust, etc.), consider packing all of the necessary clothing for your stay in Korea.
Concerning shoes, Korean shoes are based on millimeters. For women, you may have a difficult time finding shoes bigger than a U.S. Size 8 (250 in Korean size); men's sizes typically go up to a U.S. Size 10.5 (285). Korean shoes also tend to run slightly narrower.
Health:
Electronics:
Misc (Comfort/Hobbies):
Gifts: Gift giving is very important in Korean culture. As such, it is recommend that you prepare a small gift for your affiliate(s) in Korea. In general, the thought counts more than the gift. Suggestions for possible gifts include:
If you are short on luggage space, you can also buy gifts in Korea.
Regardless of where you purchase gifts or what the gift is, presentation is important. Gifts should be nicely arranged/wrapped (if packing gifts, you can pack them unwrapped and then buy wrapping items in Korea).
Although it may be a nice gesture to bring the gift to your first meeting with your affiliate(s), giving a gift can wait until a subsequent meeting if you do not have time to prepare in advance.
Concerning shoes, Korean shoes are based on millimeters. For women, you may have a difficult time finding shoes bigger than a U.S. Size 8 (250 in Korean size); men's sizes typically go up to a U.S. Size 10.5 (285). Korean shoes also tend to run slightly narrower.
- Preferred clothing
- Shoes (some Korean restaurants and most Korean housing is "shoes-off;" you may want to consider the ease of getting any footwear on and off when deciding which shoes to bring)
- Travel-sized toiletries
- Toothpaste (toothpaste in Korea generally does not have flouride in it)
- Deodorant (not as much variety in Korea)
- Large bath towel (if desired: bath towels in Korea tend to be smaller)
- Shout! wipes/Tide-to-Go pens (or other handy stain remover for those moments of red-pepper-paste-induced anxiety)
- Products for non-Asian hair and makeup for darker or pinker skin tones (if desired)
- For women: Larger-absorbency pads and tampons or other menstrual products such as menstrual cups, which are becoming easier to find in Korea but lack the variety and cost-effectiveness from home (regular-absorbency pads and tampons are common but tampons are more expensive than in the U.S.)
- For women: A sufficient number of bras (Korean bras are typically only available up to a B cup)
Health:
- Thermometer
- Basic medications such as painkillers, antacids, anti-allergens, and sleeping pills
- Necessary nutritional supplements (multivitamins, tablets, etc.)
Electronics:
- Plug adapters for Korean wall sockets
- Unlocked cellphone compatible with Korean SIM cards
- Laptop computer (if a Mac, also bring converter cables; Korea tends to be a PC country)
- External hard drive or flash drive/USB drive (to back up your work while in Korea)
Misc (Comfort/Hobbies):
- American snacks
- Costco card (most Korean branches accept U.S. membership cards)
- U.S. library card with pin number (if your library offers e-books, you could still use the card from Korea; books tend to be expensive in Korea and libraries/bookstores may have limited English-language sections)
- Hiking gear (if desired: very popular in Korea but quite expensive; sizing can also be an issue)
- Playing cards or other board/card games (if desired: tend to be more expensive in Korea and/or only written in Korean)
Gifts: Gift giving is very important in Korean culture. As such, it is recommend that you prepare a small gift for your affiliate(s) in Korea. In general, the thought counts more than the gift. Suggestions for possible gifts include:
- Famous products from your hometown/state
- Calendars or postcards from your hometown/state
- Pens, mugs, or other small souvenir-type items for your hometown/state/university
- Sports paraphernalia (t-shirts, caps, mugs, etc.) from your university or a professional team
- U.S. chocolates/candies, dried fruits, or your favorite snacks
- Nice coffee grounds/beans, honey, tea (be aware that many people typically drink instant coffee and thus may not have a grinder or coffee maker)
- Vitamins or other well-being/health goods (these tend to be more expensive in Korea)
If you are short on luggage space, you can also buy gifts in Korea.
Regardless of where you purchase gifts or what the gift is, presentation is important. Gifts should be nicely arranged/wrapped (if packing gifts, you can pack them unwrapped and then buy wrapping items in Korea).
Although it may be a nice gesture to bring the gift to your first meeting with your affiliate(s), giving a gift can wait until a subsequent meeting if you do not have time to prepare in advance.