TaLK Orientation: The Clothes
Congrats, you've made it this far. You're heading to TaLK Orientation at the beginning of August. One year ago I was in the exact situation you are, headed to a foreign country for six months to a year at the least and not a whole lot of an idea of what to expect. Embrace the unexpectedness, it's part of the adventure. As someone who's had that adventure, I hope to help you clear up a little bit of the ambiguity.
Part One: Clothes
Once you accept your contract join your generations facebook page. This is going to get you connected with your fellow TaLK scholars and provide you with a little more information then you already had. Most likely there will be a document with a packing list, most of the stuff in this document is helpful, but there is one outdated piece of information, your second suitcase will not be taken to you placement when you land, it will stay with you through orientation. Aside from that everything they suggest is helpful, although perhaps a bit excessive. Here are my suggestions.
Men and Women:
Pack one dressy outfit. Think somewhere between business and semi-formal. Check your closet for something conservative you would wear to an awards ceremony or wedding reception. You're going to need these for at least two occasions, 1) the first meeting with your POE, and 2) the closing ceremonies for national orientation.
One work week's worth of business clothes. I brought a pencil skirt with several different blouses. Guys, I'm fairly certain you could get away with one suit and three to five different button downs.
One pair of dress shoes. Depending on how long your contract lasts you might want to bring one pair of summer dress shoes and one pair of winter dress shoes. Women, if you have a pair of flat dress shoes that are comfortable to walk in, bring them. You're going to be walking way more than you usually would.
Bring comfortable, casual clothes. Summers in South Korea are hot and humid, if it's anything like last August you're going to have to get used to feeling damp anytime you walk outside. In contrast, the lecture halls are going to be very well air conditioned, so if you get cold easily you're going to want a jacket.
Limit your undergarments. In the packing list they suggest bring upward of 14 pairs of socks and underwear. This is a little bit extreme for me, I don't even think I own that many undergarments. You will be able to both wash and dry your laundry at orientation. Once you leave orientation, however, you will most likely be without a dryer, which means air drying all your garments. Women, I suggest buying undergarments made of spandex or some other synthetic fiber that dries quickly. Not only will your undergarments dry faster, they will retain their shape better without drying than other fibers.
Leave your heavy winter clothes at home. If at all possible prepack your winter clothes and leave them with someone you trust and with enough money to ship to South Korea once you get your final address. This is going to save you space for items other than clothing on your way to orientation. Also, you will be able to find winter clothing that will fit even foreigners. I know of four different thrift shops in the Daegu area with western clothing, and if you want a new coat you will be able to purchase them anywhere from around $70+ at department stores, $50 if there's a sale.
Buying Clothes in SoKo. If you're female and size 0-6 you won't have much trouble finding clothes. If you're a larger size than six you'll still be able to find clothes, but they'll be more expensive. Men, I'm sorry, but all your clothes are going to be pretty expensive and finding clothing for individuals around six feet and up is going to be difficult.
Women, the list says no mini skirts, but balance your wardrobe. Bring equal amounts of business, day, and fun in your suitcase.
Overall, bring clothes you know you'll wear, don't buy anything (unless there's a gap in your wardrobe) with the idea you'll wear it when you get there, because nine out of ten times you won't. As much as possible pack less! I know it sounds crazy, but you will accumulate more while overseas and the less you have to ship back or over pack on the way home the happier you'll be.
Part One: Clothes
Once you accept your contract join your generations facebook page. This is going to get you connected with your fellow TaLK scholars and provide you with a little more information then you already had. Most likely there will be a document with a packing list, most of the stuff in this document is helpful, but there is one outdated piece of information, your second suitcase will not be taken to you placement when you land, it will stay with you through orientation. Aside from that everything they suggest is helpful, although perhaps a bit excessive. Here are my suggestions.
Men and Women:Pack one dressy outfit. Think somewhere between business and semi-formal. Check your closet for something conservative you would wear to an awards ceremony or wedding reception. You're going to need these for at least two occasions, 1) the first meeting with your POE, and 2) the closing ceremonies for national orientation.
One work week's worth of business clothes. I brought a pencil skirt with several different blouses. Guys, I'm fairly certain you could get away with one suit and three to five different button downs.
One pair of dress shoes. Depending on how long your contract lasts you might want to bring one pair of summer dress shoes and one pair of winter dress shoes. Women, if you have a pair of flat dress shoes that are comfortable to walk in, bring them. You're going to be walking way more than you usually would.
Bring comfortable, casual clothes. Summers in South Korea are hot and humid, if it's anything like last August you're going to have to get used to feeling damp anytime you walk outside. In contrast, the lecture halls are going to be very well air conditioned, so if you get cold easily you're going to want a jacket.
Limit your undergarments. In the packing list they suggest bring upward of 14 pairs of socks and underwear. This is a little bit extreme for me, I don't even think I own that many undergarments. You will be able to both wash and dry your laundry at orientation. Once you leave orientation, however, you will most likely be without a dryer, which means air drying all your garments. Women, I suggest buying undergarments made of spandex or some other synthetic fiber that dries quickly. Not only will your undergarments dry faster, they will retain their shape better without drying than other fibers.
Leave your heavy winter clothes at home. If at all possible prepack your winter clothes and leave them with someone you trust and with enough money to ship to South Korea once you get your final address. This is going to save you space for items other than clothing on your way to orientation. Also, you will be able to find winter clothing that will fit even foreigners. I know of four different thrift shops in the Daegu area with western clothing, and if you want a new coat you will be able to purchase them anywhere from around $70+ at department stores, $50 if there's a sale.
Buying Clothes in SoKo. If you're female and size 0-6 you won't have much trouble finding clothes. If you're a larger size than six you'll still be able to find clothes, but they'll be more expensive. Men, I'm sorry, but all your clothes are going to be pretty expensive and finding clothing for individuals around six feet and up is going to be difficult.
Women, the list says no mini skirts, but balance your wardrobe. Bring equal amounts of business, day, and fun in your suitcase.
Overall, bring clothes you know you'll wear, don't buy anything (unless there's a gap in your wardrobe) with the idea you'll wear it when you get there, because nine out of ten times you won't. As much as possible pack less! I know it sounds crazy, but you will accumulate more while overseas and the less you have to ship back or over pack on the way home the happier you'll be.
Comments
Post a Comment