Author’s note: ‘Life in Korea’ posts are geared toward the newer expats – in this case, those just starting out in Korea. Comments are open!

As one semester ends and another begins, a new wave of English teachers will be coming to Korea. If you just arrived off the plane, welcome – here’s how to get started in your new Korean life:

Day 1 – Unpack. This sounds simple enough, but it’s too easy to want to explore the country while living out of a suitcase. Korea will become your home, and it’ll still be there in a day or two. Anything you’ll need over the next month or two should be unpacked, but you can probably leave the winter clothes in the suitcase to save space.

Day 2 – Find the nearest supermarket / department store. Places like E-mart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart are very similar to the big-box department stores back home – and are great for getting those things you need to get started in your new apartment. These may be within walking distance, or may require a bus ride. You may find a smaller mom-and-pop grocery store even closer.

Day 3 – Figure out where you are. Korea’s address system is transitioning from an old-style neighborhood system to a Western-style number and street system. While you’ll see plenty of newer address signs by the entrances of most buildings, the older address system is still widely used. If you’re in one of Korea’s largest cities, ask where the nearest subway station is and how to get there. Ask one of the Korean teachers to write down the school’s address in Korean on a card. If all else fails and you can’t find your way home, you now have something to hand to a taxi driver that he’ll understand.

Day 4 – Get over the culture shock. That feeling of ‘oh-my-God-I’m-in-Korea-what’s-going-on?!’ can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Getting used to the new apartment, the new bed, the new job / hours, and a whole new lifestyle can take some time – but start working on it as soon as possible.

While you’re at it, figure out which bus(es) stop near where you live. It sounds a bit geeky, but compare those buses with the buses that stop close to your school, the closest subway station, the store, etc. Chances are there’s at least one or two that stop by where you live and the other places. Do the same thing anywhere else you’ll frequent to learn how to get there a little easier.

Day 5 - Get a stored-value card for the subway / bus systems. Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju all have subway systems, and each has a contact-less card for it. Put some money on it, then tap the card to the pad. It deducts the subway fee automagically. A couple other perks, such as free or cheaper transfers from subway to bus and a small discount on the fare, make it worth your while. In Seoul, it’s called a T-Money card. Pay 3,000 won (about $2.50 USD) for the card at any subway station or convenience store, then put some money on the card to start using it immediately. Also, pick up (or ask for) a subway map in English.

Day 6 – Time to go exploring! By now you’ve probably explored a little bit around your area. Perhaps you’ve found the local grocery store, the local park, and the closest pizza place. While you won’t feel completely confident, jump on a bus and explore your neighborhood that way. It’s part of the reason you came to Korea, right? Make it a habit to travel, explore, and otherwise get out of your apartment.

Day 7 – Make your apartment your home. Not just your ‘home-away-from-home’ – your home. You’ll be here for a year, so make it feel like home. Maybe that’s putting up your own curtains on the walls, sheets on the bed, or just some music from home playing; whatever it is, make it happen.

Readers, what else did you do during your first week in Korea? Any advice to pass on?

© Chris Backe – 2011
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