About Korea
Planning the Living
Practical Tips
Getting Around
Packing for Korea
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  The schools in Korea pay on a monthly basis. It's generally within the first 10 days of the month. For example, if a school has their payday on the 10th of every month and you arrive on the 10th, the next payday is one month away. That's the longest possible wait for payment.
So, what is required for a month? A minimum of $500 would be appropriate. This will allow you to get settled in with a few necessities, keep yourself well fed, and perhaps even venture out a few times on some mini-excursions in your area. If you do have a credit card available in case of emergency, or impulse shopping, that's always good.

 



Korea has four seasons, similar to New York, so bring enough clothing for 3 seasons. (Spring & Fall / Summer / Winter). You can buy clothes in Korea but sizes are sometimes hard to find if you are not average height and weight. Bring some clothes to wear until you get comfortable buying clothes in Korea.
Korean businessmen wear suits and ties, even in the summer. Otherwise, dress is casual. Mini-skirts and shorts are acceptable, although foreigners are advised to avoid being too skimpily clad. An umbrella, sunglasses, and rainy day footwear are practical accessories to pack. In the summer light sweater is needed for mountain regions and to combat fierce air-conditioning in bank, restaurants, shopping center, and subway. Bring extra-warm clothing for the chilly winters, made even colder by the considerable wind-chill factor.

 





For women, bring as many bras as possible. Most Korean bras are padded and smaller than the West. Anything larger than a C cup quite expensive and hard to find. For men, if might be difficult to get anything over a 40 waist. If you wear XXL, you should bring your underwear for a year.

 



Anything over 9 for men and women is hard to find.
 



There is a drugstore on virtually every corner in Korea and they will sell drugs for virtually every ailment over the counter. However, if you prefer western brand name medicines such as Advil, Pepto-Bismol, Tums, etc you may want to consider bringing with you. (Many OTC such as Aspirin, Tylenol, and Zantac are available in Korea)
If you need any prescription medication, don't forget to bring it.
 



¡á Towel - Bring a couple of cotton towels and facecloths with you
¡á Deodorant - Deodorant is not used in Korea as much as here in the U.S., in translation, there is only a limited choice of deodorant. You should consider bring ample supply of your favorite deodorant to Korea.
¡á Tampon - Korean women generally do not use tampon, but there are tampons in the store.
¡á Birth Control - You can get pills over the counter in Korea, but bring your favorite form if you're active.
¡á Razor and Hairdryer - Korea has different voltage for your electronic items, such as your electric shaver and hair dryer. We recommend you bring a razor and shaving cream for immediate use. You can then shop for an electric shaver and hair dryer in Korea.

 





¡á A copy of your vital documents
    In case you lose your passport or other documents and need to replace them
     ¢¹ Passport
     ¢¹ Degree
     ¢¹ Transcripts
     ¢¹ Photo ID
¡á International Driver's License - If you want to drive a car in Korea.
¡á Picture from home - Bring a couple of photos of your family, friends, and pets. This is a great way to combat homesickness, and you can also get a lot of mileage out of them in the classroom - your students will be endlessly curious about life in your home country.
¡á Books and dictionaries - Bring some of your favorite books and used dictionary if you want. Don¡¯t bring too many books. They are heavy!!!
¡á CD's / MP3 player
¡á Eyeglasses / Contact lenses / Sunglasses / Umbrellas
¡á Backpack / Shoulder bags

 


¡á International travel baggage information of United Airlines

Customers traveling to to/from the United States and all international destinations are required to have their baggage checked 45 minutes prior to flight departure time. United Airline¡¯s maximum free baggage allowance for international travel is two pieces per ticketed customer and each piece is not to exceed 50 pounds/23kg. The following policy applies to all international travel to/from the United States and all international destinations:

International destinations (excluding travel to/from Brazil, Japan, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Haiti and The Philippines):

Economy Class
2 bags, maximum 50 pounds/23kg each

First or Business Class
2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each

1K Premier Executive,
Premier Executive and
Star Alliance Gold Members
3 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each

Military customers on tour
2 duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to 70 pounds/32kg and 115 linear inches/292 cm
Maximum linear dimensions of all bags: 62 inches/158cm (length + width + height) each

For more details, please visit at
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51146,00.html#International


¡á Here is the baggage information of Korean Air

Baggage Allowance
Class of service
From/to the USA,Canada and transpacific routes*
From/to all other routes**
  First
Two pieces of baggage provided that the dimensions (the sum of the length, height, and width) of each bag do not exceed 158 cm (62 in.) and that the weight of each bag does not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs).
40kg(88lbs)
*The maximum weight per piece is up to 32 kg.
  Prestige  Same as First Class  30kg(66lbs)
  Economy
Two pieces of baggage provided that the dimensions (the sum of the length, height, and width) of each bag do not exceed 158 cm (62 in.), the weight of each bag does not exceed 23 kg (50 lbs), and further, that the sum of the dimensions of the two bags does not exceed 273 cm (107 in.).
¡Ø Exception: For travel from/to Japan, Hong Kong and Philippines, economy class passengers are allowed two pieces
of baggage provided that the dimensions (the sum of the length, height, and width) of each bag do not exceed 158 cm
(62 in.), the weight of each bag does not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs), and further, that the sum of the dimensions of the two
bags does not exceed 273 cm (107 in.).

¡Ø Effective from October 1, 2007 (based on the ticketing date), regular checked baggage allowance (two pieces of baggage up to 23kg per piece) will apply for travel between the Americas and Japan*/Hong Kong.
 20kg(44lbs)
- Children paying 50% or more of the applicable adult fare: Same baggage allowance as that of an adult passenger traveling in the same class of service.
- Infants paying 10% of the applicable adult fare: One piece of checked baggage provided that the dimensions do not exceed 115 cm. (45 in.) and 10 kg (22lbs), plus one fully collapsible stroller/pushchair or infant carry basket or infant car seat may be carried into the passenger cabin subject to space availability.
* Transpacific : The United States, Canada, US Territories, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America
** All other routes: Korea, Japan, Asia, Europe and other regions
¡Ü The following items cannot be checked. If necessary items should be carried with passengers.
¡Ü Korean Air is not liable for damage, delay of loss of these items or any expenses incurred due to the failure to comply with this provision.
(laptop computers, camcorders, cameras, mobile phones, money, jewelry, securities, valuable items, samples, important documents and fragile or perishable items) must be carried by passengers.)
 
¡Ø For passengers originating from the U. S. and Canada with a connecting flight, please be advised some of the U.S. and Canadian carriers have also reduced Economy class checked baggage allowance for international travel to reflect new weight limits of 50 lbs. (23 kg) each for up to two pieces. A separate fee will apply to those bags in excess of 50 lbs, and the overweight fees may vary depending on the carriers. For more information, contact the applicable carrier.




Carry-on Items
 Class  Total Pieces  Total Weight   Total Dimension
 First/Prestige  2  18kg(40lbs)   Dimensions of 55*40*20 (cm)
  Total dimension 115cm or less
 Economy  1+ extra*  12kg(25lbs)
* Extra items include: laptop computer, brief case or a purse (1 item)
- Carry-on luggage should not block the aisles or emergency exits. Please safely store the luggage in the overhead compartment, in a closet or under the seat in front of you.
-  Due to strict airport security inspections, one piece of baggage plus one extra piece (laptop, briefcase or purse) is allowed in flights to/from/within US.
-  Instruments such as violins that are smaller than 115cm in total dimension can be carried-on. Extra seat must be purchased in order to carry-on large instruments such as cellos, double bases and Korean lutes that exceed the dimension of 115cm

Dangerous Goods
¡Ü Dangerous Goods (Restricted items for check-in/carry-on)
Due to safety reasons, restricted articles must not be carried in any baggage (checked or carry-on). In case of violation, fines will be charged according to the airport safety regulation. Please make sure that the following items are not included in the baggage.
- Flammable Items such as paint and lighter fuels
- Compressed Gases such as oxygen tanks, butane cassettes, aerosol and spray cans
- Weapons / Explosives
- Other Restricted Items that can be dangerous to passengers and flights.
¡Ü Permitted Items
Following items are permitted on flights
- Personal Care Items such as hair spray and perfume (no more than 2 containers not exceeding 0.5 liter each)
- 1 book of Matches or Lighter (only carry-on)
- Dry Ice (2kg or less)
¡Ø In case of Flight from/to U.S and Canada, click here for details.

¡Ø In case of Flight from/to Europe, click here for details.
¡Ü Permitted Check-in items (restricted carry-on)
- Sharp items such as nail clippers, knife, tacks and scissors
- Dull weapon such as golf clubs and baseball bats

Charge for Baggage
¡Ü Charge for Excess Baggage

  Routes   Charge
  Domestic routes   1% of adult round-trip fare per 1kg
  US Routes  
* First/Prestige class: Each excess baggage under 32 kg will be charged an applicable excess baggage fee.
* Economy class:
1)Overweight baggage weighing between 23kg ~ 32kg will be charged at the rate of:
- KRW 30,000 if departing from Korea
- $25 USD if departing from U.S
- $35 CAD if departing from Canada
Overweight baggage fee varies depending on the departing countries.
2) Each checked baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance will be charged an applicable excess baggage fee.
  Outside US
  1.5% of adult one-way normal direct fare per 1kg
- US Routes: For travels to/from Canada, United States, US Territories, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America
- Outside US: For travels to/from to Asia, Oceania and Europe
- It is recommended that each baggage does not exceed 32kg(70lbs). Applicable excess baggage penalty will be charged to routes to US.
¡Ü Excess charge for large instruments for carry-on
- Large valuable musical instruments such as cellos must be carried on board with an extra seat purchased at the applicable adult fare. Reservation must be made and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Musical instruments that are checked-in must come with their own hard case. Korean Air is not liable for damage, delay or loss for checked-in musical instruments.

Declaring Valuables
- You can also protect your declared valuables for an extra cost. An ad valorem duty is an import duty based on the percentage of the value. You must provide valid proof of declared valuable cost. Maximum of US$2500 of valuable goods can be declared for a charge of 0.5 dollar (50cent) for every US$100. For more details inquire staff during check-in.

Liability Restriction
- Korean Air endorses the Warsaw Convention adopted by the IATA and cooperates to the maximum feasible extent.
- Liability for loss, delay or damage to checked-baggage is US$20 per kg, US$400 per passenger for carry-on baggage.
However, a higher valuation will be paid for baggage that has been declared and additional charges paid at check-in.
(Liability Limit governed by the Montreal Convention is 1000 SDR per passenger.)
- Korean Air is not responsible or liable for laptop computer, camcorder, camera, valuable instrument, jewelry, cash, securities, negotiable papers (contracts), samples, medication, antiques, fragile articles or other similar valuable items contained in checked or unchecked baggage. These items should be carried by the passenger.
- Korean Air, like most major airlines, assumes no liability for the damage to checked baggage such as broken wheels of feet, lost pull straps, damage resulting from over-packed baggage, damage to oversized bags and damage to luggage handles plus minor damages such as scratches, scuffs, stains, dents, cuts, and dirt resulting from normal wear and tear.