How to set up a cell phone, gain access to the Internet, master the postal system in Korea and find social groups

Overview: Most teachers moving to Korea have the same list of basic needs. Establishing a reliable means of communication with friends and family back home as well as networking with their new acquaintances in Korea is top priority in order to make life in Korea a fun, exciting and reassuring experience. The following guidelines will give you the information you need in order to get your vital communication systems up and running in order to support the most basic aspects of your new life in Korea.

I. Getting Connected, Fast: Cell Phones

Many teachers have gone to Korea thinking to themselves, “I’m just gonna wing it.”  While it is essential to be flexible when embarking on your Korean adventure, there are a few essential preparations that will ensure a steady footing and a smooth transition to your new life in Korea. Getting situated with a cell phone in Korea is definitely something to research before leaving your home country.  It can be a confusing and intimidating process where it seems like there are most questions than answers.  We’ll do our best to help you navigate the most common questions:   

Will my phone work from home?

Your cell phone will likely “roam” on your service from home (ie. AT&T, Rogers, Virgin, Orange etc) but be sure to double check with your provider.  More than likely, the usage on your phone from home will be exorbitantly expensive, usually costing between $2-4 per minute making your cell phone service from home an unsustainable way for you to stay connected during your time in Korea.  In short, most teachers opt for a Korean cell phone. 

So what does it take to get a phone in Korea?

As a foreigner, to get a phone set up on your own in the Korean system you must (scroll down for the exception to these rules):

- ARC Card (usually takes 3-6 weeks to complete after arrival)

- You will need a Korean bank account and Korean bank book

- Passport

- Have enough money to purchase the phone and pay all necessary up front fees

In addition, often one must navigate the language barrier AND bring a Korean “sponsor” or cosigner with them, as a form of credit. Cell phone bills that are written in Korean compound the hassle.

It usually does not take much time to realize that getting a phone in Korea on your own typically requires a long wait and also requires a teacher to be incredibly organized, as well as fortunate.  Waiting more than a month to get a phone creates difficulty for most teachers who would like to network, call home whenever necessary, and have general peace of mind in the case of an emergency.

Prepaid phone plans are available at certain phone shops in Korea, but still require an ARC card.  When using a pre-paid phone it is typically necessary to find a used phone instead of paying off the shelf new prices ($150+).  These phones are typically more inconvenient as minutes must be purchased at a cell phone store and lack many of the common features you’re used to like caller id, missed call alert etc.  The second hand phones can also be aggravating as one never knows the condition of the phone until you start using it and repairs are tough to come by.   Still, they are often the least expensive option out there.    

What if I want to use my cell phone from home?

Due to policies of Korean telecom companies, technology differences and governing regulations, it is virtually impossible to use most phones from outside of Korea without exorbitant roaming fees. It is theoretically possible to get certain 3G phones from outside of Korea to work in Korea, but in order to set up a plan one must get the phone’s serial number registered with the Korean cell phone governing body. If you find a shop that knows how to do this, you will still incur set up fees and you will be required to present documentation to establish your billing process.  In the long run, most teachers choose to get a Korean cell phone set up to avoid the hassle and time delays.  Again, the vast majority of foreigners usually choose to have a Korean cell phone plan set up.

Is there a way to avoid the hassle and have an affordable phone that works when I get to Korea?

There are several exceptions to the otherwise frustrating process of phone set up in Korea. One commonly mentioned alternative is phone rental through the kiosks at the Incheon airport. While this is a way to get temporary coverage as you wait to get all of your documents, credit and finances prepared to acquire a Korean phone on your own, it is expensive.  At a rate of almost 3 dollars per day plus air time and message fees, travelers in Korea have reported that bills of more than 30 dollars may be charged for as few as 4 days of rental phone use.

A preferred service for teachers looking to establish their new life in Korea is The Arrival Store.   It’s an online store with a variety of essential products, run by previous English teachers for English teachers in Korea, the Arrival Store is a must browse for all prospective teachers.  They are currently the only service for expats in Korea that can set you up with an affordable phone and contract on the first day you are in the country, no ARC required. The Arrival Store even offers teachers the option to pick up their activated and ready to use phone at the airport the day they arrive, enabling teachers to call home when they arrive and quickly network with their new friends and associates.  If you prefer the typical 24 month contract that Korean cell phone shops offer, they do that as well. 

Other features of Arrival Store cell phone service:

- A broad selection of both simple phones, smart phones, rental phones, and plans

- The Shortest contract available in Korea (6 months for simple phones, 9 months for smart phones)

- No renewal or extension fees, so that you can use the phone as long as you would like at no extra charge

- Comparable/competitive pricing (Monthly charges starting at under $40 (USD) per month)

- Bills emailed to their customers in English

- Prompt customer service in English

- No Alien Resident Card, proof of bank account, or co-signer needed

- Free long distance calling to the United States, Canada, UK Land-lines, and 13 other countries 

- Unlimited data for smart phones

II. Getting Connected, Fast: Internet in Korea

Seoul is known as one of the best connected cities in the world, and the majority of South Korea is not far behind.  Wi-Fi networks abound in metropolitan areas, and at times you can connect for free.  More commonly though, the networks are secured and either require a password or a “pay per use” login that can be very difficult to navigate and require a Korean payment method.  You might luck out with a stable connection, but it is best not to plan on having steady and easy access to the internet as soon as you arrive in the country.     

No need to worry, PC Bangs (or PC방 in Korean, literally “PC Room”) provide a good solution for your first few weeks in the country while you get your own connection figured out.  PC Bangs have fast computers and often only cost about $2-4 (USD) an hour.

For the sake of convenience and consistency, most teachers choose to have an internet connection set up in their apartment.  Typically your employer or co-teacher will help you get internet set up in your apartment once you receive your ARC card.    It can be difficult to set up without assistance because the service providers do not always have English service available.   Once you have service set up, it is very easy to pay your bills.  The rates are very affordable too; usually around $30-40 (USD) a month.

Common Korean ISPs:

SKbroadband

Korea Telecom

Onse Telecom

III. Getting Connected, Fast: Korean Postal System

At some point while in Korea, you may need/want to send a letter or a package.  Most likely you’ll also need to receive a package as well.  In some cases, the front desk at your school may be able to help send your letters/packages (especially if they are within Korea).  Also, red Korean post mail boxes are common throughout the country, and you can mail letters and small packages from these as long as they are properly addressed and have the proper postage.  When your employer or the mailboxes won’t do, you’ll need to utilize a Korean post office.

Mailing a Package:

The easiest way to mail a package is by going directly to the post office with the items you wish to mail.  Postage costs are determined by weight, and the post office will have boxes and other packing materials available to pack your items.  The employees at the post office are usually very helpful if ever you get confused or need assistance.

If you’re worried about writing address information in Korean, don’t be.  While most addresses you will see in Korea will be written in Korean (Hangul), the postal system can process addresses written in English too.

If you want to find a post office in Korea, visit the Korean Postal Service website by clicking here.

Receiving a Package:

Receiving a package at your apartment can be challenging until you confirm your address AND figure out your building’s specific delivery process.  Many times, packages are held by the security office or taken to a specific location and held for pickup.  A package might arrive without you knowing about it.   For this reason we recommend having items shipped to your school until you are able to get the process figured out.

While shipping within Korea is generally cheap and quick, remember that it will be very expensive and take a long time for your friends and family to get items to you from home.  So, before having items shipped to you be sure you try to track the item down in Korea.   Reminder: items such as personal care/hygiene products (birth control, deodorant, specialty shampoos, etc), shoes/clothes that accommodate western sizes, and a number of food items from home can be difficult or impossible to locate in Korea even with several good resources at your disposal.

Department stores such as Emart and Home Plus have a massive selection of Korean items and their international product choice is increasing.  Though a trip here may be an overwhelming experience for newly arrived expats, you’ll undoubtedly become familiar with your nearest Emart of Homeplus shortly after you arrive.  While they carry mostly Korean brands, imported bottled beer and many home items (like Swiffer sweepers and office supplies) can often be located at such department stores. 

The Foreign Food Market in Itaewon and the Gwanju Grocer are commonly referenced locations to find foreign food items in Korea.  There are dozens of similar stores located throughout South Korea that you will begin to discover by word of mouth.  While these stores can be very popular beware of the high prices and be sure to check the expiration dates on the food.  They sure come in handy in a pinch though.

Costco, which has several different locations in Korea is another popular option.  The product blend available at these Costcos will likely be different than what you are used to, but you’ll still find many familiar items.  It’s hard to beat for items like sour cream, cheese, chicken breasts and some household items.  

Online stores like, The Arrival Store  and EZ Shop Korea have a heap of food items to be desired in Korea as well as personal care items like deodorant and tampons.  The Arrival Store also has comfortable western style bedding, mattress pads, power converters, and a large selection of essential household items as well as quick service (24-72 hours to process and ship an order).  Before your friends and family send you a care package, make sure you check to see what is available, you may save them money on shipping and you will definitely save time.

IV. Getting Connected, Fast: Networking in Korea

Finally, teachers in Korea benefit greatly by getting connected with other expats living and working in Korea. There is nothing quite like the relationships that may be formed by those sharing a similar work and life adventure. For teachers looking to connect, there are a number of opportunities for expats. You are already familiar with our Facebook page, and new resources are constantly being released, but here are a few other good places to help you get started. 

Meet Up: A collection of different meetup groups in Korea

Adventure Korea: Travel activities inside and outside the Korean Peninsula

Internations: Seoul Events for Expats

Korean Organization of Teachers of English to Speakers or Other Languages