Teacher’s Top Tips

We asked our current teachers - some of whom arrived last year and some who are veterans - to tell us what they wish they’d known before they came here. What should you bring and what should your first steps be when you arrive in the summer!

Hopefully you’ll all find this useful!

ANDREW

• Learn how to use Coupang, Homeplus and Origin online as soon as possible (We’ll help!)

• The Tamna card gives you 10% off everything (so long as the business is a Jeju based one) ...so it doesn’t work at Starbucks for example but does at Canvas. http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=6233

CAROLINE

• Boden deliver to Korea!

• Jeju Good Eats is a great Facebook group to join

JANE

• iherb is my saviour for veggie ingredients, vitamins, toothpaste and toiletries. Also great if you need gluten free stuff https://kr.iherb.com/

• Expat Mart https://expat-mart.com/ - great for Indian ingredients to make the authentic curries that us Brits crave!

• https://www.bookdepository.com/ does free delivery worldwide (even Korea!)

James

• Deodorant (stock up prior to arrival - very expensive and limited brands available here)

• Baby powder (limited availability and expensive)

• Sunscreen (very expensive and limited brands available here)

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/south-korea/traveler/packing-list

• Take the time to read all about your TieCare benefits. This is an amazing healthcare benefit package and many things you weren’t expecting may be covered for you and your family!

Sarah

• Bring Sunscreen 50+ . It can be hard to find here!

• Sweaty Betty deliver to Jeju - great if fitness is your thing!

James

• Just outside the GEC (on the Hyeopjae/Jeoji road ) there’s a supermarket called Good Morning Mart - much cheaper than those nearest to us and has a lot better selection of items

Claire

• Gluten - Free Tips - Occasionally, Market Origin has gluten free pasta (but you can’t rely on this.)They almost always have rice cakes. Other items are available from iherb and British Corner Shop , but I suggest you bring enough special supplies to get through the first month, as it can take time to set up online ordering, especially if wanting to use your new Korean bank account. A few other supermarkets are now stocking a few more gluten free options, but again, it can be a bit hit and miss.

Kevin

• Online shopping option from Homeplus has been a game changer for me!

Ruth

• Having a buddy willing to do my shop made a huge difference. There were items that just were not available locally and when you are without your own transport more challenging to go and find. Don’t worry about asking your buddy - they really don’t mind!

• As a vegan being able to do an iherb order was important. Again, as I was awaiting my phone number I had to ask a friend to use their address, phone number and personal customs clearance.

• Everything was fine once our phone numbers were set up, but until that point it was a challenge. So set your phone up as soon as you can!

Richard

• The most important thing is getting your name on the phone contract right, then get the PASS app working as that saves a lot of time and energy - especially online shopping.

• Services like Sentbe and Wirebarley for sending money home (NH are pricey).

• Homeplus online is great for bulk deliveries, and are quick and efficient. Yeshalal for Muslim members of staff is also handy for halal goods/meat.

• Coupang - with PASS app easy to register and use NH credit card to set up payments with a PIN. They have vegetables to Xboxes.

• A personal customs code is also essential for overseas imports. Once you have one it’s perm!

• Hometax - learn to join it (with PASS) and get a proper tax return printed.

Sarah

• Bring enough funds for a month as you won’t be paid until the bank account is set up. Have some cash but Korea is a card society!

• Keep your UK phone contract as they won’t be able to get another easily and all the security codes that need verification via phone may not work with a new SIM

• Redirect post

• Items can be sent to the School if needed early on if you don’t have an address. Bring chocolate, spices, mixed herbs and sanitary products for 2 months.

DON’T FORGET OUR GARAGE SALE!!

All teachers have access to a Garage Sale - organised and hosted by Vivienne Brooks, Junior School Maths teacher. There you can pick up kitchen equipment, storage, children’s uniform and clothes, books, toys, linen and much more more. If you get here and you are missing something - make this your first stop! Contact Viv - vbrooks@nlcsjeju.kr.