Cost of Living
The cost of living in South Korea is quite low, especially when considering that your accommodations will be paid for by the school. However, you should expect to pay approximately. 70,000 KRW per month for electricity, water, TV and gas although this can vary depending on your lifestyle.
Korea is well known for being a shopper's paradise! Great prices can be found for shoes, clothes, handbags, suitcases, leather goods, silk, antiques, reproductions, and all kinds of souvenirs. You can easily find makers of custom-made clothes and shoes of varying quality. Although department stores and most shops have fixed prices for items, bargaining can usually get a lower price with street vendors and in the major open air markets. However, do not expect the same level of haggling conditions that exist in Thailand.
Pricing for some basic toiletries are listed as follows (all prices are approximate):
- Soap - 1,000
- Shampoo - 6,000 for a pack of two
- Toothpaste - 2,000
- Toothbrushes - 1,800
- Toilet paper - 2,500 for ten
- Deodorant - 11,000 (it is very hard to find and very expensive.)
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What to Pack
It is a good idea to have one suit or dress for formal occasions. School dress is generally conservative. Men should wear pants and shirts with buttons. A shirt and tie is good at the beginning as a sign of respect. Women should avoid low-cut or overly tight clothes, but nice pants are fine. Earrings on men, and piercings in general are not acceptable in Korean schools. The schools are fairly conservative, and it is a good idea for you to be so as well.
You may or may not be able to find the types and brands of toiletries and beauty products that you use. If you are really attached to a certain product, bring enough of that with you to last until you find a suitable replacement.
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