A common concern for all soon-to-be foreign teachers in South Korea is "how much money should I bring?"  I'm asked this a lot and it really depends on a couple things.

1. How Martha Stewart you are
2. Who you will be working for

If you are the type that is fine with coming into your new digs, dropping your bags and getting on with the whole thing then you won't need much.  Just some money to get some food and cleaning supplies.  Apartments generally contain all the necessities for living.  Some often have left overs from prior teachers as well.  I have a Magic Bullet-like blender from a previous teacher.  That's all I needed to bring a smile to my face!  If you packed well, you shouldn't really need a whole lot more than food and cleaning supplies to get you by.

If you are someone who likes to make your place feel more homey then you can plan to bring a few extra bucks.  It doesn't take much though.  There is an Asian super-chain here called Daiso.  It's a dollar store that will have everything you could imagine for setting up your place to feel comfy and warm.  Your home away from home.  Trust me, Daiso will quickly become your best friend for living in Korea.

If you are working with EPIK you will receive a "settle-in allowance" of about $300.  That is in addition to everything else - they don't take it out of your pay.  Nice, right?  Go crazy.  If you are coming through any other institution, you will need to find out if they give you anything for getting settled.  It all depends on the employer.  If they don't provide anything, you can bring a little extra.

I brought $1,500.  This is essentially due to the fact that I am a paranoid type-A person.  Nearly all of it ended up going into the bank since the settle-in money got me by.  In EPIK and most private institutions you will get paid monthly.  So the money you bring will just need to get you by for the first 30 days and then it's clear sailing.  Do NOT bring $1,500.

Looking back, I believe I could have safely gotten by with $500 of my own money, and the $300 from EPIK.

If you are coming through another employer I think $500 would still suffice, but you'll probably feel a whole lot better with a little more.  Maybe between $800-1,000.

A message to everyone wondering and worrying...it's all going to be OK!  The mystery of the unknown is all part of the adventure.  Don't fall into "analysis paralysis" too much.  Just let it flow....

Oh, you'll need an umbrella when you get here.  $5.