If you have scoured the net for that perfect esl job in Korea, signed a contract, and have taken the steps to get your E-2 Visa, then you need to starting thinking about the next step in this whole teaching in Korea business: What to bring with you.

I know there are many lists already out there that fill newbies in on what to bring, but one more couldn’t hurt right? I thought not. So, without further ado I bring to you my own personal list of things I should’ve brought to Korea, but didn’t.

1. A Friend

A seemingly obvious, but often overlooked item, the friend tops the list. Forget American Express, because the friend is the most important thing not to leave home without. Yes, I’ve met some great people here in Seoul, both foreign and home grown, but when you’ve just arrived in Korea for the first time nothing beats having a friend ready to share the experience.

For starters, arriving with a friend has all sorts of advantages the poor friendless souls can only dream about. For starters, you have an instant dinner companion. You’ll never have to face that Korean dish of strange smelling stew bubbling with red froth alone, no siree, because you have a friend in hand to share half that meal with you.

Things get even better if you and your friend can find jobs at the same school. If your new co-workers turn out to be ignorant jerks or pompous asses it’s no problem because your friend is right there with a smile and a knowing wink making your day brighter. You can even double team the boss if things in your contract aren’t being followed.

A friend from home is also good when you hit the bars because he wouldn’t let you wander the streets of Itaewon in an alcoholic fugue only to find yourself waking in the morning on a grimey street bench wrapped in the arms of some drunken Korean salary man. Then again, maybe he would, because that’s what friends are for.

2. A Pet

If you can’t talk a friend into coming with you then this is the next best thing. Being away from friends and family will be that much easier if you have a little piece of home to see back in your new Korean bachelor pad. Vets here charge reasonable prices for vaccinations and check ups so your beloved pet will stay fit and healthy. If you end up in Seoul taking out the critter may be a bit tough as you will really have to hunt down the green areas in the city. You might also want to consider tagging your pet dog just in case you lose him because you wouldn’t want him to end up on someone’s plate.

This is mostly for the folks whose furry friend happens to be a smaller sized dog or a cat. If you’re doggy is a big fella pushing thirty or more pounds then life in Seoul might be a tad hard. I’m sure its doable, but it might be tough if you end up in a small studio apartment. Still, to have your pet with you would mean less heartache when you think of home which would be worth it even if he had to sleep on your chest because your apartment is so tiny.

3. A Good Notebook

My emachine, Mona, sucked bigtime and when I went searching for a replacement it was not easy pickings. Sure, Korea is the computer haven of the East with places like Yongsan stockpiling tons laptops. However, unless you speak Korean most of those options are off the table. Even with an English OS Korea just doesn’t have the options that places back home have in abundance. I think I lucked out with Dell and I really love my Inspiron, but if I were back home I would’ve gone in a different direction. Not to mention that the prices back home on laptops are much more reasonable.

The bonus of bringing your notebook is that you can have everything from your own music and movies, to pictures of loved ones at your fingertips. Downloading is easy enough in Korea, not that I endorse that, and Bootleg DVDs go for a couple bucks, not that I would even think of purchasing one.

Be sure to bring your software and back ups. If you’re forced to reformat you’ll want those since finding English software is a pain.

4. Enough Shoes & Clothes

If you’re not built like the average Korean with a lithe pixie body then when it comes to clothes you better bring what you need. That means clothes for all seasons and shoes for every occassion. Seriously, it’s a pain finding shoes and even when I can locate that one lone pair of size 16s they inevitably end up looking like something Frankenstein cast off in his yard sale. So don’t think twice about packing those boots or sandals. Trust me, you will need them. Thankfully, things like gloves, hats, socks, and other accessories will be easy to get.

However, if you are built like the typical Korean then you will be arriving to a wonderland of shopping. Whether you’re thing is discount markets or ultra chic boutiques, where you can only enter if your ass is tattooed with a designer logo, Seoul has what you need. Seoul is a shopping haven so if you wanted you could arrive with nothing but what your have on and put your credit card to good use.

So there you have it, my top things I should’ve brought with me. I hope it helps.

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