Okay...so five days in and I'm noticing there are a few little things that I should have packed and others that should've stayed out.
Things that should have been in my suitcase are: Bed sheets; you can't get them anywhere in Cheonan...and if anyone knows where you can I would like to know and so would the other teachers who have been here for a year+! Shorts (or skirts if that's your thing). It's difficult to find bottoms that fit in cheonan because Koreans are very slim, and if they manage to fit around your hips then you're lucky. One of the teachers here is a size 6/8 UK and she can't find anything...I'm not going to have a chance. More chocolate (we're talking cadburys here). I brought a 230g bar and wish it was 500g or even 1kg! It's not easy to get around here but they do have snickers bars if you like that (might be different in Busan or Seoul).
Things I'm glad I brought have been the towel. I got one of those travel towels that are quick drying and super absorbant...and also bath-towel size. Someone once told me that they don't have big towels...and when it comes to the hotel I'm staying in I agree. Maybe I'm just lazy but I don't fancy spending ages drying. Good walking sandals; it's hot here and the city is sometimes better seen on foot...although the taxi is cheap and quick...as long as you know where you're going. Plus I find I get my bearings better when I walk. Ipod: for those days when you want to block out the noise of the Korean language, traffic and just listen to some familiar songs. My belt; it's easy to lose weight here, with the heat and the spicy food, the busy lifestyle. Bras; they don't come any bigger than a B cup. Photos of the family...if anything it gives you something to show your class, your fellow teachers and other friends, as well as a reminder of home.
Things that should have been left at home: My phone; 99% of mobiles DON'T work here, your best way to keep in touch is via Skype or e-mail. And you can get a phone here once you have your Alien Registration Card.
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Great ideas.....thanks for sharing with us....it might help me with keeping my packing under the limit allowed by the airline!!!!
Hope the teaching gets easier.......i imagine the little ones might look cute BUT be hard work!!
I didn't think of that...but I'm not that great at sewing! One leg might be longer than the other. I brought my Korean-English language book and some grammar ones.
Teaching is alot tougher that I thought...but I didn't think it would be easy, I just didn't realise how hard it is and how much extra work there is. Also I'm finding teaching the Kindergarden class harder than teaching the others. It's surprising how quickly 5-year-olds will get fed up with colouring a picture...although they did have fun with the airplanes we made!
On the other hand, I love it...and love marking their work, explaning to them why one word ends in 'er' and the other ends in 'ier'. Plus there's a great buzz when they shout 'Teacher, teacher!' But, yeah, it's not easy.
With the short issue have you though of getting some trousers and cutting the legs or getting shorts and putting some extra material in them...you have to be good at sewing but its an idea.
I know when i came to Japan i was panicing over the weight limit and felt it was a lot of pressure to decide what i actually needed and what i didnt. I`m here for several years or more and so language books would help cos theyre cheaper back home. I also brought an electric tooth brush thinking it would be 100-240v compatible like my shaver but when i looked closer it was only 240v and so is useless along with the extra heads i bought too :S.
How are you finding the teaching...i hope everything else is ok
I think you just saved me!
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