The intense teaching schedule makes it difficult for ETAs to conduct formal research projects during the year. However, many have been able to carry out informal research projects that most often incorporate their day-to-day lives as teachers and homestay participants. For example, one year a few ETAs organized a survey that they handed out to their classes to study views of gender roles among Korean teenagers. Other common projects involve the extracurricular activities that ETAs pursue outside of their work hours. Some ETAs study Korean traditional music by taking drumming and 'pansori' singing lessons. Others have received black belt certification in taekwondo. These types of projects are definitely feasible, and Fulbright strongly encourages such pursuits in order to provide a more well-rounded experience in Korea.

During the winter break period, which can be anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks long, ETAs are encouraged to pursue either an internship in Seoul, further Korean language study, or some type of research project (either in Korea or elsewhere in the region). Last year's research project topics varied from Korean Buddhism studies to observations of bird populations on Jeju Island. ETAs are required by contract to teach a special class during the winter break, but other than that you will be free to pursue any project you can think of until school resumes (usually in early to mid-February). Again, in-depth formal research will be difficult, but if you are focused and determined to use your winter break wisely, you should be able to pursue some kind of project during this period.

You will receive your teaching placement in late July/early August, around two weeks before the end of orientation.

Many ETAs coming into the program have specific placement requests for reasons ranging from family to research to language acquisition purposes. Towards the end of orientation, you will have an opportunity to fill out a placement request form, in which you can specify type of school (middle or high school; girls, boys or co-ed) and location. Fulbright will do its best to meet as many of these requests as possible, but there are no guarantees. Fulbright is only able to send ETAs to cities and towns with schools that request ETAs.

After completing one year with the ETA Program, ETAs have the opportunity to apply for an extension in Seoul. For the first year, however, no ETAs are placed in Seoul.

All ETA placements (with the exception of extendees) are placed outside of Seoul. The number of ETAs sent to each region varies by year but most placements are made outside of the large cities (i.e. Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju).

The ETA Program has been steadily growing from year to year. It began with only 8 grantees in 1992. As of the 2007 program year, 81 ETAs were participating in the program (including 11 extendees).

While the maximum age for ETA participants is 30, most ETAs have graduated from college recently and are around the ages of 22-24 years old.

There are no typical academic backgrounds or career aims of ETAs. The undergraduate majors of ETAs range from literature to economics to biology to peace studies. Some ETAs plan to attend medical, business, law or other graduate schools, while others are undecided about their future careers. A number of ETAs also teach for another year or two, either in Korea, the U.S., or other foreign countries.

No prior teaching experience is necessary to apply to the ETA Program. For this reason, most ETAs coming into the program have no background in formal education studies or teaching. A number ETAs have ESL volunteering experience and have tutored before coming to Korea, but Fulbright provides EFL teacher training for everyone over the course of orientation. Most ETAs find that they learn the most through the act of teaching itself.

Because no Korean language skills are necessary to apply to the program, most ETAs arrive in Korea as "dead beginners" in the language. A number of others have some background in Korean from either their studies at university or learning Korean from their parents or relatives. The language training program during orientation will be split into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Typically, 75 percent of the ETAs are split into 3 or 4 beginner classes, and the remaining 25 percent are split into one intermediate and one advanced Korean class.

ETAs are officially allowed 2 weeks of pure vacation time over the course of the year. Many choose to fly back to the U.S. over Christmas break to spend this time; others go traveling to other countries in the region.

The longest break from teaching will be in the winter. The Korean school system involves a long winter break, which typically runs from Christmas time to mid to late February. ETAs are required by contract to teach a special class during the winter break. The nature and scheduling of the winter break class varies by school. However, the program does not exceed 10 days of actual class time, nor exceed four teaching hours per day. See the ETA Handbook for more details.

Apart from that, ETAs are asked not to treat this as "vacation," but to use it to pursue either an internship in Seoul, further Korean language study, or some type of research project. Regardless of how you spend this break period, all ETAs are required to submit a 1 page (minimum) winter break proposal and a 1 page (minimum) follow-up report. As winter break is really an ETA's best chance to undertake projects in Korea, the proposal and report are meant to involve both the ETA and Fulbright staff in making the winter break a meaningful and memorable experience.

 

Fulbright's policy allows grantees to travel outside of the country of their grant for a maximum of 28 days during the course of their grant. Of these 28 days, no more than 2 weeks can be spent in the U.S. The other 2 weeks can be spent traveling in the region to gain more experience with Korea's neighbors. ETAs must notify Fulbright of any plans to travel and are encouraged to take full advantage of their time in Korea.

Living with a homestay is a requirement of the ETA Program, as we feel it is an important aspect of immersion into Korean culture and life. If a homestay change is necessary for personal or logistical reasons, Fulbright encourages ETAs to bring this to the attention of their schools, who should then assist the ETA in finding a new homestay. Fulbright offers whatever support is necessary in this process.

For further information about the ETA Program, please contact the ETA Program Coordinator, at eta.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr, telephone: (82-2) 3275-4010.

Korea's weather is often compared to Washington D.C.'s. There are four seasons- summer is hot and humid with lots of rain (a.k.a. "monsoon season"), fall and spring are pleasant and mild, and winter is cold with occasional snow. Despite this fairly consistent pattern, the weather over the past couple of years has been somewhat unpredictable. Just as temperatures were unusually warm this winter in the United States, Korea had a few 60-degree days in January. Also, the past two summers have been fairly dry. It is best to prepare yourself for all types of weather. There is also a slight temperature difference between the northern and southern regions of the country, (It gets warmer as you move south). Jeju Island is Korea's southernmost territory and is fairly warm all year round.

For more detailed information about Korea's weather please see the "Climate" section of the ETA Handbook.

Korean cuisine tends to be some combination of spicy, hot, pickled, fried, fermented, marinated, or grilled. American favorites like hamburgers and pizza are infiltrating the restaurants, but at home most Koreans still eat traditionally: an array of four to twenty dishes of "pan-chan" are laid out on the table and everyone picks from these side dishes using their own set of metal chopsticks over their personal safety net--their rice bowl. Korean chopsticks are flat and metal, making them much heavier and more difficult to get the hang of than the usual round wooden or plastic ones. Fortunately, Koreans also use spoons with their chopsticks, and it is perfectly acceptable to use your spoon as often as possible during a meal (even for eating rice). Some of the most popular Korean dishes include kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), bulgogi (beef, usually cooked over an open flame), bibimbap (rice mixed with an assortment of vegetables and hot pepper paste), kalbi (Korean ribs, also usually cooked over an open flame), ddeokguk (rice cake soup), mandu (meat dumplings), gim-bap (rice and vegetables wrapped in a roll of seaweed) and u-dong (rice noodle soup).

In most major cities, you can pretty much find any kind of ethnic* food you want. For instance, Seoul has a variety of American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and even Indian and Mexican restaurants. If you are craving American food, fast food restaurants such as Burger King, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Popeye's are ubiquitous in cities large and small. You can also find TGIF's and Bennigan's in Seoul.

*NOTE: Many of the non-Korean foods are "Koreanized," meaning that the taste is altered slightly. Examples include corn on pizza (lots of veggies are used in Korean cuisine), "Chinese" food that is difficult to distinguish from Korean cuisine, hamburgers that are actually "bulgogi" burgers, and mayonnaise-galore on salads of all kinds (especially fruit salad).

If you are a vegetarian please alert KAEC before coming to Korea. Although a lot of tofu and vegetables are used in Korean cuisine, most dishes (even vegetable dishes) include some kind of meat or meat-based product. Dishes without meat are likely to have fish or fish products. While vegetarian restaurants do exist, especially at the bottom of mountains and near temples, vegetarianism is uncommon in Korea. One former ETA wrote:

Upon my arrival here, I had been an avid vegetarian for three years- no meat, no fish. But I quickly discovered that it was almost impossible to maintain that diet in this environment. The eating habits of foreigners in Korea tend to be observed, scrutinized and discussed on a regular basis.

We don’t want to discourage incoming ETAs from maintaining their vegetarianism in Korea (some vegetarian ETAs have made it through the year without changing their eating habits drastically). But it is realistic to expect that maintaining any strict eating regimen will not be easy.

The Korea Herald: http://www.koreaherald.co.kr
The Korea Times: http://times.hankooki.com/
Joong Ang Ilbo English Edition: http://english.joins.com
Digital Chosunilbo: http://english.chosun.com
Economic Life (stock market and general economics): http://english.hankyung.com

For more information on Korean culture and tourist activities, the following websites may be useful:

Korea National Tourist Organization (includes sightseeing, shopping and travel tips): http://www.knto.or.kr
Radio Korea International (pop culture):
http://rki.kbs.co.kr
Korealore.com (an abundance of links to English-language resources on Korea): http://www.korealore.com
Korea.net (an excellent site that combines news and culture):
http://www.korea.net
What's On Korea (A comprehensive guide to Korean culture and tourist information): http://www.whatsonkorea.com
Korea Web (Information and links for Korean studies):
http://koreaweb.ws/

For more in-depth information, past ETAs and KAEC staff members have recommended the following books:

The Two Koreas, by Don Oberdorfer (1997, Basic Books). Provides an overview of contemporary Korean history.

Korea's Place in the Sun, by Bruce Cummings (1997, Norton & Company). Korean history from prehistoric times to the present era (although the main focus of the book is the past fifty years).

One ETA's comparison of the above two books:

Oberdorfer is a military guy who focuses on Korea's rescue from communism, and Cummings is an academic historian who takes a more critical view of Korea-U.S. relations and discusses the culture more thoroughly.

You may or may not agree with this assessment...but there's no harm in reading these books to find out!

The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies, by Michael Breen (1998, Orion Business Books). A British ex-pat's view of modern Korean society.

Korea: Old and New- A History, by Carter J. Eckert, Ki-baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael Robinson, and Edward W. Wagner. Provides a general historical overview of Korea, including detailed treatment of the post-1945 period as well as a description of the cultural and historical background from which modern Korea has developed.

Lonely Planet Korea. A backpacker's guide to Korea.

You will need an “A-3” visa. You should begin the visa process as soon as possible. Write or call the nearest Korean consulate, or, if possible, go in person. To find the nearest consulate go to http://www.koreaembassy.org/koreaus/consulates/eng_info.cfm. Each consulate in the United States should be aware of your A-3 status, as they should have been sent a list of this year’s Fulbright grantees. Once you have requested your “A-3” visa, you will need to fill out a form and submit your passport, copies of your IIE and Fulbright acceptance letters, and a self-addressed stamped express envelope (if you are receiving your visa by mail) to the consulate. When requesting your visa ask for a MINIMUM OF FOURTEEN MONTHS, although the longer it is valid for the better. Also, be sure to use the Fulbright office address for your OFFICIAL ADDRESS IN KOREA, (Korean-American Educational Commission; Fulbright Building; 168-15 Yomni-dong, Mapo-gu; Seoul 121-874; South Korea). In the section of the application that asks your purpose for coming to Korea write either "Fulbright fellowship" or "Fulbright grantee." Do NOT write "teacher," as this will confuse the consulate and you may receive the wrong visa. The cost of the visa should be free. If you have any difficulties obtaining your visa, please contact the KAEC at eta.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr.

Before you can be issued a ticket to Korea you must complete the medical clearance form and have it submitted and approved. Don't call IIE for a form; they will send one to you. TAKE CARE OF THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, as Fulbright will not be able to buy a plane ticket for you until you have received your medical clearance. It takes several weeks to get clearance even after you send the form to IIE. If you still have access to your school's health facilities, this will be the cheapest place for you to complete this exam. Please note that Korea does not require an HIV test for Americans entering the country.

Korean government regulations do not require any inoculations of travelers except for those arriving from a plague, yellow fever or cholera-infected area. Some physicians recommend inoculations against such diseases as hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid, typhus, cholera and polio. You should consult your physician before deciding whether or not to obtain these or any other inoculations. The CDC is also a reliable source for information and can be checked at their website: http://www.cdc.gov.

The following vaccinations are recommended by Dr. John Linton, MD, a U.S. Board certified physician at the Yonsei University College of Medicine and Director of the International Health Care Center:

I. VERY IMPORTANT

1. Diphtheria, Tetanus: Updated every 10 years with a single booster. If not updated in the last ten years, you need to start the series over. It is VERY IMPORTANT to do this before leaving the U.S., as reliable serum is in short supply in Korea.

2. Hepatitis B: Three shots over three months (1 month interval between the first two). A booster every five years should be considered. There is a lot of hepatitis B in Korea. You should get as many of the shots as possible before leaving the U.S. - the series can be completed in Korea.

3. Influenza: Annually. Available in Korea.

II. SOMETIMES RECOMMENDED

1. Hepatitis A: A new vaccine does exist and has been approved in Europe. It is available in Asia, and some doctors recommend it for foreigners living in Asia.

2. Japanese B Encephalitis: Two shots, separated by one or two weeks with a booster every three years. This disease does exist in Korea. It is extremely unlikely that a foreigner will contract it, but since the consequences are very serious, immunization is sometimes recommended (It is not too late to be vaccinated after an epidemic is reported).

NOTE: Twinrix, the combination Hepatitis A and B shot, is NOT available in Korea. You will need to do the courses separately as explained above.

III. NOT CONSIDERED IMPORTANT FOR KOREA

1. Typhoid vaccination

2. Cholera

3. Pneumovax

All of these can be obtained in Korea in the unlikely event that there is an outbreak of the disease.

NOTE: Gamma Globulin is a human serum derived product and is NOT recommended.

Although it is best to obtain any inoculations you or your physician may consider advisable well in advance of your departure for Korea, most inoculations are readily obtainable in Korea. Try to save yourself the hassle of getting the shots in Korea, though, because it's much easier to get them done in the States where you can talk to a physician in English. To avoid any unnecessary discomfort while traveling, it is recommended that any inoculations obtained in the U.S. be completed at least one week prior to your departure for Korea.

For further inquiries about inoculations or any other health-related matters, you should contact the nearest representative of the U.S. Public Health Service: http://www.os.dhhs.gov/phs/phs.html.

The U.S. State Department provides grantees with basic health insurance during the period of the grant. There is a US$25 deductible for each incident of medical care. This plan is on a reimbursement basis meaning that you as a grantee have to pay for the medical service and then submit receipts and claim forms to the Fulbright office. Fulbright will then mail them to a company in the U.S. for a reimbursement check. At minimum, the total process usually takes around six months. For more information about the State Department basic health insurance plan please the ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges) website at http://www.oasys.com/usdos.

Please note that the State Department's insurance policy only covers you when you are in Korea. In order to provide insurance for travel outside of Korea while on this grant, Fulbright will arrange for each ETA to get an IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) through Council Travel in the U.S. This card provides travel and health insurance as long as you are traveling OUTSIDE the U.S. (NOTE: This means that you will be covered for health insurance everywhere BUT the U.S. over the course of the year.) For more information about IYTC benefits please visit Council Travel's website at http://www.counciltravel.com or call 1-800-2-COUNCIL.

Knowing at least some Korean is likely to make your stay in Korea much more fulfilling and hassle-free. It is highly recommended that ETAs try to learn at least the han'gul alphabet before coming to Korea so that they will be able to read signs, etc. upon their arrival. Knowing basic phrases will also make your life easier. (See suggested websites for learning Korean in Question 6).

But don’t worry too much if you aren’t fluent in Korean after 6 weeks of language training at orientation. In fact, most ETAs without any previous knowledge of Korean come out of orientation knowing only basic greetings and sentences. Even learning this little will go a long way in forging good relations with your school administration, students, and homestay family.

You will definitely be able to survive in Korea with only minimal Korean skills. Most, if not all, of your teaching will be done in English. Most schools want ETAs to speak English only in class, even if they have strong Korean skills. At least one member of your host family is likely to speak some English, but even if you are living in a Korean-only household, you will quickly learn to communicate with minimal Korean and lots of body language.

For those ETAs who are eager to learn as much Korean as possible during their time in Korea, practice and independent study are key. Because of your busy schedule and the lack of Korean-language schools outside of Seoul, it will be difficult to take formal Korean lessons during the regular school year. (For this reason, many ETAs choose to use their winter break time to study Korean at academies in Seoul. See the ETA Handbook for more details.) Korean language books can be found at English bookstores in Seoul and in major cities throughout Korea. Overall, the most effective way to learn seems to be to immerse yourself into situations in which you MUST speak Korean because nobody else speaks English. Taking taekwondo lessons, learning a musical instrument, or participating in any type of social activity with other Koreans are some ways of doing this. Some ETAs in recent years have also been able to set up informal language exchanges with teachers at their schools or university students in town. These exchanges offer good opportunities not only to learn Korean but to get to know others in your school community.

If you have no Korean language background and are interested in studying Korean before your arrival, there are a lot of FREE websites on the world wide web, some with sound files, that will teach basic Korean just as effectively as a book. We recommend checking out the websites first - if you decide you want a Korean language book, you can always buy one when you get here (You will also get one free during orientation). Also, you should wait to buy a Korean language dictionary until you get here, as the selection is much better in Korea than it is in the U.S.*

*That said, one book that may be useful to bring with you is a Korean phrasebook. Most ETA's used Lonely Planet's “Korean Phrasebook" or Barron's "Korean at a Glance." These are good for looking up phrases and other things like numbers and times. Make sure the book has the phrases written in both Korean (in both hangul and romanized forms, if possible) and English. That way, if you are ever really struggling with pronunciation you can just show the book to someone.

To learn Korean online, check out some of the following sites. There are even some for advanced and intermediate speakers.

IIntroduction to Korean: http://langintro.com/kintro/index.htm
Sogang University: http://korean.sogang.ac.kr
Korean Language Study: http://www.interedu.go.kr/intro_eng.htm
Korean Tutor: http://www.koreantutor.com/default.asp
Life in Korea: http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Language/korean.cfm
Language Exchange: http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/Learn/Korean.asp
For beginners: http://www.mct.go.kr/koreanthroughenglish/chapter09_1.htm
For intermediate/advanced, focus on reading: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/korean/korean3/index1.htm

There is also a program called "Korean HakGyo" that you can download with a free trial of 5/15 lessons. This program assumes that you have already learned the alphabet and teaches vocabulary and basic grammar. If you want to try it, download Korean HakGyo version 2.0 at http://www.CNET.com.

Each passenger is allowed two pieces of check-in luggage (double check weight and any other restrictions for international flights as they might have changed recently), one carry-on, and one personal item (e.g. a purse or laptop). All of your carryon items must fit either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Beware: space for carryon luggage on airplanes is very limited, especially in coach class. Also, with the new security measures in place it has become much more difficult to carry on those small suitcases that are JUST above airline size regulations. In order to avoid any hassles, it would be safest to stick to standard carryon sizes (i.e. a small backpack or duffel) when choosing your luggage.

Most importantly, PACK LIGHT! Firstly because most ETAs find that they need less clothing than they expected (space is limited, and washing machines are provided during orientation and in homestays so washing clothes is not a problem), and secondly because you will need to lug your suitcases up stairs and across long distances at various points of orientation before settling into your placements.

You will need to pack in two phases. The first phase should include those things that you will bring on the airplane with you in July. This will consist of clothing, etc. that you will need for orientation and the first month or so of teaching. The second phase is everything else to be shipped after you move to your school placement. Ideally there will be no second phase-- this way, you will be able to carry everything with you on the plane, AND the less you have to ship home at the end of the year, the better!

Phase 1 itself is subdivided into what we call our "2-bag policy." When you arrive at the airport, one of your bags will immediately be placed on a truck and put in storage at the Fulbright Building. You will not see this bag again until you move to your school placement at the end of August. The second bag will go on to the orientation site in Chuncheon.

For a breakdown of the types of things that should be packed in each suitcase, please refer to questions 5-9 or the “Packing" section of the ETA Handbook.

You do not need to bring everything in July; most ETAs end up shipping at least one box of winter clothes in the fall (although some have claimed that they were able to find everything they needed here). We highly recommend that you do not ship anything until after you move into your homestay and are able to assess how much space you have and how much you actually need. Some options for shipping are as follows:

1. SURFACE MAIL. This is the cheapest option. It comes to Korea by boat and takes about two to three months to arrive. Although many shipping companies exist, ETAs have found the standard U.S. Postal Service to be the most reliable.

2. USPS AIR MAIL, FEDERAL EXPRESS, or DHL. Use these options only if you are in a hurry to receive the shipment, as they are significantly more expensive than surface mail or cargo delivery. Air mail is about as fast as Federal Express or DHL unless you live in Seoul, where FedEx and DHL tend to be faster.

3. APO (FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ONLY). By authorization of the U.S. State Department, Fulbright grantees coming to Korea are permitted to mail small quantities of educational materials through the U.S. military postal system known as the "APO." Important: The U.S. Department of State sets limits on the quantity and weight of educational materials sent via APO. Fulbright grantees are never authorized to send more than four boxes of materials, none of which can weigh more than 40 pounds. (For most ETAs, this was more than enough.) ALL BOXES MUST BE SENT AT THE SAME TIME JUST PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL IN KOREA. Note that "educational materials" means BOOKS and PRINTED MATERIALS ONLY. No computers, no games, no prizes, no matter how "educational" you may consider them to be, are allowed through the APO mailing privilege. Personal items and things arriving later than August 1st are routinely returned to the sender by the Embassy mailroom. Please see the ETA Handbook for further details on APO shipping.

A note about shipping and theft: Be careful about shipping valuables. Sometimes packages arrive opened, and, although it is fairly uncommon, some contents (particularly CD's and electronic equipment) may have mysteriously “disappeared." Fortunately, this does not seem to be a problem for used items, especially winter clothing. Overall, the shipping system is pretty reliable. NOTE: If you are worried about losing something in transit, you SHOULD BRING IT WITH YOU or consider using a more expensive shipping option, such as Federal Express, which provides tracking systems and/or insurance.

 

During orientation there shouldn't be any need to ship a lot of stuff. We highly recommend that you put off large shipments until after you move into your homestay and are able to assess how much space you have and how much you actually need. Keep in mind that your homestay room may not be very big. Even though each ETA is entitled to his/her own room in the ETA contract, it could be the size of a large closet and have very little space for storage.

Most ETAs choose to use their school’s address for receiving mail throughout the year. You will find out your school's address in the final week or so of orientation. You can then e-mail your family and friends to tell them the address so they can ship things there.

If you ABSOLUTELY need to receive something before you get to your school, you have the option of shipping it either to the Fulbright Building in Seoul or to Kangwon National University (KNU)- the primary location of orientation. In order to avoid inconveniencing the Kangwon University staff, we request that you limit shipments to KNU to SMALL boxes or envelopes. It is also important to make sure that mail sent to KNU arrives BEFORE the end of orientation. The last few days will probably be spent somewhere away from campus, so make sure it gets there early. KNU will not forward your mail to you after you leave. Packages and mail received at Fulbright will be forwarded to Kangwon University (if it arrives during orientation) or your school (after orientation and throughout the year).

For KNU and Fulbright addresses please refer to the ETA Handbook.

Also-- see the ETA Handbook for specific APO shipping instructions and addresses.

As was mentioned earlier, PACK LIGHT! In the words of one former ETA:

I packed lighter than anyone for orientation and was never wishing I had brought more. I only brought as much as I could comfortably carry (a backpack of clothes, some music, and a photo album) and washed my clothes once a week (there are coin- operated washing machines and dryers near the dorms). You will definitely appreciate not having much stuff for those few times in transit when you will need to carry your luggage for medium distances and up flights of stairs.

The ETA handbook recommends "summer campus dress" for the bulk of your time in Chuncheon. A couple pairs of shorts, T-shirts, 1-2 pairs of jeans, a couple shirts/blouses, one sweater/sweatshirt (it can get chilly in the evening) a rainjacket, beachwear, tennis shoes, and sandals should suffice.

If you like to go out and dance, you may want to bring something for that as well (Korean "nightclub gear" is very similar to the U.S.). There is plenty of nightlife in Chuncheon, and you will also have the opportunity to go out in Seoul one or two weekends during orientation.

You will also need clothing for at least one dress-up occasion. (Men: slacks, shirt with collar, tie [no jacket necessary]; Women: slacks/skirt and blouse or dress, etc.) At some point of the summer you will take a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which has a strict dress code of no T-shirts, no sleeveless tops, no jeans, no shorts, no mini-skirts, no backless dresses, no sheer clothing, no stretch pants (or any tight clothing), and no sandals or flip flops (sneakers in good condition are okay). You will need to dress accordingly. In addition, you will be meeting your school administrators at the end of orientation and will need a nice outfit for that day.

A NOTE ABOUT KOREAN CLOTHING STYLES: Koreans tend to dress conservatively. Shorts are usually knee length, and tank tops worn without a top to cover the shoulders are rare (at least outside of Seoul). However, you will be staying in a college town for orientation and will be mostly in the company of other Americans, so this won't be much of an issue for your first six weeks. You will want to bring more conservative clothes for teaching- see Question 7 for more information.

A NOTE ABOUT KOREAN SUMMERS: The weather in July and August is typically very humid and wet (monsoon season). Keep this in mind as you are packing for orientation.

The other things you need to pack are what you consider your "necessities" for the six weeks of orientation. Necessities may include:

Laptop computer
There are Internet hook-ups in the dormrooms in Chuncheon. Be sure to bring your own Ethernet card software and Ethernet cord, (although it is possible to buy an Ethernet cord relatively cheaply in Korea). See Computers for more information.

Large Bath Towel
Korean towels are most often a size similar to hand towels in America. You may be able to find larger ones in Chuncheon, but you will have to look around a bit.

Camera
Cameras (and electronic equipment in general) are pretty expensive in Korea compared to the U.S. Film is cheap and widely available, so just bring enough to get you started. Advantix film can be more difficult to find, but it is sold in select camera shops in Seoul and Chuncheon.

Some toiletries
Try not to waste a lot of space on this stuff; it's heavy, and you can buy a lot of the things you need pretty much anywhere in Korea. See Availability of Everyday Items for the specific "American" products you can find.

You will probably be able to get away with bringing a few outfits and recycling them from week to week. The level of formality varies from school to school, but erring on the dressy side is definitely safer, especially for your first few weeks of teaching. Female teachers typically wear blazers, slacks, dress shirts/blouses, skirts, or dresses, while male teachers usually wear slacks with a shirt and tie. It is important to keep in mind that Koreans tend to dress more conservatively than Americans. Skirts are rarely worn above the knee, and sleeveless shirts or dresses are generally not worn (at least not in the classroom) without a top to cover the shoulders. Tight or revealing clothing of any kind is not a good idea unless you want to attract annoying attention from students and other teachers. Sandals and open-toe shoes are worn with stockings. Some ETAs have found that their school dress codes veered from these standards, but it is best to play it safe and keep these norms in mind if you are shopping for teaching clothes in the States. You will also need to pack for warm and cold weather, which will probably require more space than you have in your two suitcases. Your best bet is to pack for the first month or so of teaching (hot to mild weather) in your second suitcase and wait to see what kinds of winter clothing you want either to buy in Korea or have sent to you from the U.S.

SHOES: At most schools, everyone wears "slippers" inside. (Usually, they are any kind of slip-on shoes.) If you wear shoe sizes smaller than 10 for men and 8 for women, you will be able to find "school slippers" easily in Korea. Otherwise, you should definitely bring some along (many ETAs in previous years have brought Adidas-style sandals or Birkenstocks for this purpose). As for outdoor shoes, a pair of black dress loafers/shoes will suffice for most occasions. Also, be prepared for rainy or snowy weather. Shoes like Doc Martens (or something similar) that can be waterproofed are great for both the snow and rain. They also have good traction on ice. Other advantages of Doc-type shoes: they look good with almost any pants, including jeans, and they can be tied just right so you can slip them on and off without too much difficulty.

For more specific information, please see the "Climate and Clothing" section of the ETA Handbook.

Teaching materials that ETAs have suggested bringing or having shipped over include:

- Photos of your family, friends, and hometown
- A video of your hometown and/or school
- Your high school or college yearbook
- U.S. maps (so you can show your students where you live)
- American menus (for food lessons)
- Bus or train schedules (for transportation lessons)
- Stickers (encouragement/prizes)
- Sample U.S. currency (for money/shopping lessons)
- Magazines, especially ones with popular singers or movie stars
- Postcards of your hometown/city (also good for prizes)
- CD's or tapes of pop songs (for use in pop song lessons
- slower songs are best. You can't go wrong with Britney Spears or N'Sync) Videos of TV shows/cartoons (popular shows: Friends and Sabrina the Teenage Witch; popular cartoons: Tom&Jerry, Dragonball, Sailor Moon, The Simpsons, Spongehead Bob, and Rugrats)
- Cultural holiday stuff (e.g. videos of "The Grinch" or "Charlie Brown's Christmas"/"The Great Pumpkin," CD's or cassettes with holiday music, Valentine's Day hearts, etc.)

NOTE: Although certain materials (stickers, etc.) will be useful regardless, you may want to start teaching to gauge your student's abilities and interests before bringing/sending a lot of materials to Korea. Also, it is best NOT to bring a lot of ESL-related books to Korea, as there is a good selection to choose from in the Kyobo Bookstore in Seoul, and it will be difficult to predict what will be useful before you actually start teaching. You will also be given a Fulbright teaching manual to help you with lesson planning, which includes actual lesson plans and references to ESL websites with an abundance of teaching ideas. (Please see Question 6 in the Teaching section for further information.)

Gift-giving is very important in Korean culture. You will create a very positive first impression if you bring gifts for your school (principal, vice-principal and co-teacher) and homestay family. (In fact, you run the risk of creating a very negative first impression if you do not participate in this aspect of Korean culture.) The gifts can be simple, and preferably objects that aren't readily available in Korea. Current ETAs compiled this list of gift suggestions:

* Specialty candy/chocolate
* Calendars or postcards of your state/hometown, pens,or typical souvenir-type things from your hometown (prizes in school)
* Souvenirs (T-shirts, caps) from your university if your school or city is famous (i.e. I <3 NY)
* American games (like Monopoly- very popular with homestay children, and you can always use it for club classes if you wind up with a homestay without young kids)
*Anything that shows you have put in thought. Remember, you will be living in these homestays and working at these schools during the year.
*Many gifts can be purchased in Korea if you do not have the chance to bring anything from America.

This list is a compilation of current ETA responses:

* Too many pairs of shoes (4-5 pairs should suffice)
* Too many clothes (you really will wear the same things over and over)
* Too many pairs of pantyhose
* Too many teaching materials (...the well prepared ETAs)
* Too many toiletries (many of the same brands are available here)
* Batteries (inexpensive and abundant in Korea)
* Stationary Supplies (Korea is a country of stationary-lovers, although most of it is covered with cutesy cartoons and funny English phrases)

This list is a compilation of current ETA responses:

* BOOKS! (# 1 response- good to send via APO)
* Teaching materials (The less prepared ETAs)
* Winter stuff- scarves, gloves, etc. (mostly shipped later)
* Cardigans (can take on/off easily between the cold hallways/ warm classrooms)
* Videos WITHOUT Korean subtitles
* American cold medicine
* Vitamins/Calcium tablets (dairy products are not a large part of the typical Korean diet)
* Face wash (some brands, like Noxema, are hard to find)
* American junk food (e.g. Tortilla chips, pretzels, etc.)
* Original programming discs for reinstalling computer programs (Windows software, etc.)
* American TV shows, commercials, music videos, etc. for use in lessons.
* Music (many ETAs said they got tired of the same 20 cd's pretty quickly)
* A year's supply of prescription medications (having it shipped every month is a pain; asking a co-teacher for help attaining it here can be more of a pain)
* Laptop computer

This list is a compilation of current ETA responses:

* A large bath towel (hard to find here)
* A washcloth (also hard to find)
* Your favorite pillow (this is debatable, as it takes a lot of space, but some ETAs are not fond of the hard Korean "bean pillows")
* Books/novels (can trade with other ETAs)
* Crayons/UNO (see also: teaching materials list)
* For women: Lots of bras (almost all Korean kinds are padded)
* Q-tips (it's been said that the Korean kind "sucks")
* Battery-powered alarm clock
* Pictures, pictures, and more pictures!
* Hiking backpack (great for traveling; also possible to buy one here)
* High school/College yearbook (your students will enjoy seeing you as a student)
* Deodorant
* Band-aids
* Laptop computer

If you go to any large cities like Seoul or Pusan, you will pretty much be able to find whatever you need. Seoul, in particular, has a large array of imported goods from America, Europe, and Japan in places such as: - Lotte Department Store Import Section

- Hyundai Department Store Import Section
- Doota (Doosan Tower) B2 (Basement level 2) Import Section
- Shinchon Import Black Market (across the street from Hyundai Dept. Store's front entrance)
- Namdaemun Black Market

At these markets, you can usually find American products that are difficult to find in other parts of Korea, such as deodorant, macaroni and cheese, coffee, nuts, lotions, perfumes, shampoo (e.g. Herbal Essences), and kitchen utensils for Western-style cooking (e.g. baking tins, spatulas, etc.) As is the case with most imports, the prices of these goods tend to be significantly higher than U.S. prices.

In recent years, Walmart, Carrefour, and E-Mart have opened branches in cities large and small across the peninsula. These foreign-owned chains are a sure bet for an array of Western products. Large supermarkets also occasionally have an import section, even outside of Seoul.

The following is a list of some American-style food you can find locally: Cereal
Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes, Cocoa Puffs (You can find other types as well, but these are the most widely available.)

Cheese
"Real" cheese is pretty hard to find in Korea. Typically, the type of cheese that is easy to find is similar to Kraft singles in the U.S. (i.e. processed cheese). Mozzarella cheese (known here as "pizza cheese") can also be found relatively easily. In bigger cities you can sometimes find "Philly" cream cheese as well.

Jelly/Jam
This is available in most bakeries and food stores. Your host family may even make their own, which will probably taste much better than the store-bought versions.

Peanut Butter
Even in small towns you can find peanut butter in bakeries (particularly "Crown Bakery" and "Paris Baguette") and in some food stores. If you look hard enough you can sometimes find brands like "Skippy" and "Peter Pan," but Korean brands taste pretty similar.

Spaghetti and Sauce
Spaghetti noodles and sauces are available in just about every food store. In big towns you can sometimes even find brands like "Ragu."

Yogurt
"Yoplait" and Korean brands are widely available in strawberry, blueberry, and peach flavors.

Chocolate milk mix
Nesquick and Korean brands

Popcorn
In 7-11-type convenience stores you can often find "Pop Secret" microwave popcorn, along with other Korean brands. They are usually located near the microwave oven in the store.

Pringles
Surprisingly enough, these can be found everywhere, too. There are even some special Korean flavors, like "Funky Soy Sauce" and "Crispy Curry."

Not really. If you can find it at all, it's usually the spray kind and is more expensive than the U.S. versions. As was mentioned above, some of the large department stores and black markets carry American brands of deodorant, but the prices are significantly higher than if you buy it at home.

Many ETAs brought a year's supply of deodorant with them, and they were glad that they did. However, many have mentioned that they brought WAY too much. It's best to bring a moderate amount (3-4) with you and have it shipped if you need more.

"Renu" is the easiest lens solution to find. "Optifree" and other general saline/ protein removers are also available. Before leaving the U.S., it's a good idea to make sure your contacts are compatible with other solutions. If they aren't, they may become altered (i.e. change color or break down) when used with a different type of solution.

Also, glasses and lens wearers might be interested to know that you can buy prescription glasses in a variety of styles and colors inexpensively in Korea compared to the States. Altogether, frames, prescription lenses, and an eye test generally costs a total of US$60. The prices are so reasonable that many Japanese tourists come to Korea specifically to shop for glasses!

Nonstandard sizes (i.e. anything unusually large, tall, small, long, etc.) are difficult to find in Korea. One ETA described the clothing situation as follows:

Although you can find most styles of clothing available in the US, be aware that most Korean pants come in the same length. There is a "mens" length and a "womens" length. The only exception is the "hip hop-style" pants, which are deliberately adorned with trains of fabric. Things are changing in some places, but even in such stores as Levis and Fila, which are foreign-owned, the jeans and pants come in two Korean lengths. I'd say the pants are just right for a woman of about 5'5" to 5'6" and a man of about 5'9". Of all things, I think that pants are hardest to find in Korea.

Other ETAs seem to have more luck finding nonstandard sizes. As one female ETA said:

I'm 6 foot and definitely tower over the world in Korea. I've done quite a bit of shopping here- pants, skirts, shirts, etc.- and have been able to find things that fit me. Itaewon, a shopping area near the U.S. Army base in Seoul, sells all kinds of western-sized clothes, many of which are made here and exported to America. I've bought a lot of stuff there. Believe it or not, I've also done some shopping in Korean stores and have found some stuff that fit there, too. Granted, sometimes the shirts/skirts/pants are longer on my Korean friends than me. I guess my general feeling is if you don't mind things being a smidge short (i.e. not super-big or super-long), then shopping in Korea should not be a problem.

Overall, it can be difficult doing 'nonstandard size shopping' in Korea, but some of the problems are surmountable if you are somewhat flexible with your style. If you have doubts about being able to find clothes that fit you in Korea, you may want to bring enough to get you through the summer and then ship over your winter wardrobe from the U.S. once the weather starts to get cold.

SHOES: These are difficult to find (particularly dress shoes) if your foot is larger than size 10 for men and size 8 for women. If you fall out of the range of easy-to- find shoes, you might think about bringing all the shoes you will need for the year.

UNDERWEAR: Most ETAs recommend bringing all you'll need for the year, especially long underwear for the winter (you can find long underwear in Korea, but be sure to keep the size ranges mentioned above in mind). Women, bring enough bras (including sports bras, which are difficult to find here), and pantyhose too, unless you are very small. Plan on hand-washing your bras and bringing a few extras, as Korean washing machines have an appetite for them and non-padded bras are difficult to find in Korea. For socks, however, you don't need to stock up too much. Socks are everywhere here - cute socks, sport socks, colorful socks, dress socks - whatever you're in the mood for!

You will definitely need a winter coat to brave the chilly Korean winter. However, it is a good idea to hold off on bringing one when you come in July, as it will take up a lot of your suitcase space. Winter coats at comparable prices to the U.S. (anywhere from US$30-$200) are pretty easy to find in Korea. Ski jackets are also easy to find, but name brands like "Columbia" tend to be more expensive than they are in America. Sizes up to 110 cm (44 inches) are available. For 'nonstandard' sizes, check out the shopping area in Itaewon, next to the U.S. Army base in Seoul. If you do not find a coat you like in Korea, you can always have one shipped from home when the weather starts to get cold- usually in October.

If you are picky about your razors, it is a good idea to bring your own. They shouldn't take up too much space if they have disposable blades. (Just make sure you leave them in their packages and pack them in your checked luggage if you plan to bring them with you in July. As you undoubtedly know, airport security for carryon items has become very strict.)

Generic disposable razors are widely available in Korea (check food stores outside of Seoul; just about anywhere in Seoul).

The following is a list of brands that are easy to find just about anywhere in Korea:

- Dove (body wash, soap, face wash, shampoo/conditioner)
- Johnson & Johnson (lotion)
- Pantene (shampoo, conditioner)
- Nivea (body lotion)
- Neutrogena (face wash)
- Clean & Clear (face wash, toner)
- Sun Silk (shampoo- very similar to "Thermasilk")
- Close-up (toothpaste, only it's green in Korea)
- Crest (toothpaste, toothbrushes)
- Oral-B (toothbrushes)

Unless you have a hairdryer or curling iron that can be switched to 220 volts, you will need a transformer (which will probably cost US$30). It will be much cheaper and easier to buy a hair dryer or curling iron in Seoul or Chuncheon after you arrive. Both are widely available for around US$15-25.

Pads- yes, you can find these in convenience stores and pharmacies everywhere. Korean brands offer the same range of products/styles as in America.

Tampons- more difficult to find, and the selection is limited. They tend to come in one size (small), which may not suffice for everyone. If you are unsure, it's best to bring some to get you through the first couple of months. If you find that you do not like the Korean brands, have more shipped later.

ORIENTATION: This really depends on your spending habits. From the moment of your arrival in Seoul and through the 6-week summer orientation period at Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, Fulbright will cover your room and board expenses and three meals a day. You will be given a small per diem to cover expenses (35,000 won). You will also be given extra money on weekend trips during orientation to cover meals. Most people found this to be sufficient for day-to-day expenses (snacks, laundry detergent, trips to Baskin Robbins, etc.). However, if you are someone who likes to shop, eat at restaurants, or hit nightclubs and bars often, you may find that the 35,000 won runs out quickly. “Big spenders" are advised to bring some extra pocket money (anywhere from US$200 to $500) to cover their expenses during orientation.

There are advantages to each. Traveler’s checks are safer, but cash is often more convenient. US cash or traveler's checks can be exchanged in just about any bank throughout Korea.

American Express traveler’s checks are the most widely recognized in Korea and throughout Asia (some ETAs have had difficulties with VISA ones). In some places, American Express traveler’s checks actually get better exchange rates than cash. Many ETAs have said that bringing around US$300 in traveler's checks is a good idea in case of emergencies or for use during orientation.

Cash is convenient, although you have to be a little more careful about where you put it. Some countries will accept it (with no percentage taken out) instead of the country's currency (e.g. Vietnam). Also, if you are ever REALLY stuck without any Korean won you may be able to convince someone to let you pay with US dollars.

The monthly stipend for ETAs is 1,300,000 won per month once you are teaching at the school.

It will be cheaper and more convenient to exchange money in Korea than in the U.S. Fulbright will provide each ETA with a small stipend to cover daily expenses upon arrival. If you would like to exchange more money in the first few days, there are places to do so in Chuncheon, where you will be living for the first six weeks over orientation.

Most cities will have ATMs available that accept foreign cards, especially Visa. They can often be found in major convenience stores (7-11, Family Mart, GS25, etc.). While your card might not work at all of these machines, you will mostly likely be able to find a machine that will work (there are at least 3 right next to Kangwon National University, the orientation site). Check your daily withdrawal/advance limit before arrival so that you don't encounter confusion if an error message generates in Korean for exceeding your daily limit.

It is possible to wire money from Korea to the U.S., but you may want to ask a fluent Korean speaker to help you with the transaction if you do not feel that your Korean language skills are strong enough. Wire transfers require that you have your U.S. bank information (Swift code, routing number, and bank address) on-hand along with your account information. Bring an unused check and deposit slip from your bank in the U.S., as these could help the Korean bank determine the correct routing number. Also, bring your passport, as Korean law periodically requires banks to record how much is wired per individual in a year. The usual cost of wire transfers is around US$15-$20 on each end of the transaction, depending on the bank (i.e. A total of US$30-$40 in transaction fees).

Another option for bringing money back to the U.S. is to get a banker's cashier's check at your bank in Korea or purchase US dollar traveler's checks and physically carry them with you when you go home. This method does not involve transaction fees, but there is always a risk of losing the check(s) en route to the U.S.

In the past, ETAs have dealt with credit card bills in various ways. Some brought their checkbooks with them and sent checks home each month. Wiring money directly tends to be very costly (see above). Others ran up a surplus on their credit card accounts by writing checks in advance (Citibank cards allow this) so that they had already paid their bills before making purchases. There may also be Internet payment options these days for many credit card companies (Bank of America offers this on-line service). One ETA last year chose to sign power of attorney rights over to her brother-in-law so that he could pay her bills for her directly from her account.

 

The Fulbright program is an authorized signatory, so it is possible to get your student loans deferred. If you have loans to pay, you may want to contact your lender first.

You are responsible for filling out and submitting your loan forms before arriving in Korea. You will need to send your loan form to IIE in New York. Please include an addressed, stamped envelope for each loan deferment form you submit (addressed to the respective loan agency). IIE will certify the loan deferment and mail it in for you.

If you need a specific loan deferment form, you will need to obtain that form on your own. (Contact your loan agency or school to determine if you need a special loan deferment form.) You can download the "Education Related Deferment Request" form here: http://www.nchelp.org/elibrary/Forms/Deferment/FP0606EDU.pdf.

You'll have to file U.S. taxes while you're here, especially if you worked in the months prior to the grant. The basic principle of U.S. Taxes is to report all income, including grant money from Fulbright, even if you do not think it will be taxed. The KAEC office cannot legally give you any advice regarding your taxes. Arrange to bring your necessary paperwork with you or have it sent. Publications 520 (Scholarships and Fellowships), 54 (Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad), and 593 (Tax Highlights for U.S. Citizens and Residents Abroad), put out by the IRS, might also be helpful. These are all available on the IRS Web-site at http://www.irs.gov. Remember, although you get an automatic 60-day extension by living overseas, you will have to pay interest from April 15 on any unpaid taxes.

Calling home can be incredibly expensive if you choose the wrong calling card or plan. However, prepaid international phone cards (available in Korea) allow you to make international calls for less than 10 cents per minute. These cards offer the best and cheapest deals for calling home. Fulbright will provide each ETA with a card worth 10,000 won (around 90 minutes) at the beginning of orientation. These cards can then be recharged via credit card over the phone, so you will probably only need one card for the entire year. New cards are sold at most major convenience stores. These cards can be used from any phone in Korea, including cell phones.

As part of our "safety policy" (it is important for Fulbright to be able to contact ETAs at all times in case of emergency), Fulbright requires all ETAs to obtain cell phones upon reaching their schools. While most ETAs will have to pay for the actual phone itself, schools will give the ETA a monthly phone stipend of 100,000 won to pay for services. Most ETAs spend around 40,000-60,000 won per month on mobile phone service. Mobile service is available nationwide.

Every school in Korea has Internet access, if not in each of the classrooms then at least in the teacher's room. You may be sharing a computer with other teachers and the connection may be slow, but you can count on being able to get online while at school regardless. You may or may not have a connection at your homestay. Chances are, if there is a connection you will have to share it with avid Internet game-players and/or web surfers in the family (i.e. you won't have much time to use it yourself). Some ETAs decide to set up their own line in their homestay (this can be done for 40,000-70,000 won); others choose to use Internet cafes instead.

Korea is one of the most wired countries in the world, particularly broadband. Internet cafes, called "PC bangs" are EVERYWHERE, even in small towns. They usually provide full Internet services for 1,000 won per hour. Sometimes they even offer word processing programs and printing services.

If you currently own a laptop and use it a great deal, it is a good idea to bring it along. Chances are, you will not have unlimited access to a computer at school or home. Some ETAs do have their own computers on their desks at school, but this is not universal. Homestay computers will have to be shared with an entire family, and using the Internet often ties up the home phone line. Most ETAs who want to use their own computers for Internet, etc., arrange for their own phone lines at their homestays. (Some have even hooked up ASDL lines this year for constant Internet access.) That way, they do not have to worry about occupying the phone line, and they can take care of the bill on their own.

If you currently have a desktop and think you will miss having a computer in Korea, you may want to think about purchasing a cheap laptop for the year.

ETAs who have laptops this year say they use their computers for e-mail, playing games, downloading music, and lesson planning (can use Power Point, show websites to students using monitors in the classroom, and even show movies).

This is not to say that surviving without a computer is difficult in Korea. As was mentioned above, Internet cafes are prolific, and even if you don't have your own private computer at school you will have access to one in the teacher's room. Since most ETAs are at school for a major portion of the day they can often take care of their "computer business" between or before/after classes (although you may have people looking over your shoulder).

Most laptop computers can handle AC inputs of 100-240V AC or 60/50 Hz 1.5A. If you are not sure what your computer can handle, check either your manuals or the bottom of your AC adapter/power block.

Standard voltage in Korea is 220V AC. If your computer is capable of handling that then you only need an adapter plug (widely available in Korea electronics stores for less than US$1.) The other option is to buy a new AC power cord when you get to Korea. These are fairly cheap at most Korean computer stores.

If your laptop cannot handle 220V, do not bring it to Korea, unless you plan to buy a rather heavy and bulky power converter (approximately the size of a shoe box).

If you are bringing your computer you should DEFINITELY have a LAN (Ethernet) card. If your homestay does not already have a LAN or ADSL connection, you can set one up for W30,000-40,000 per month. Newer laptops (purchased within the past year or so) should have built-in LAN/Ethernet capabilities. Older laptops may require PCMCIA cards. If you have a PCMCIA Ethernet card, make sure you bring an extra connector (or two) for the card to Ethernet cord connection. These connectors are easily broken. If you don't have one, buy one that can handle at least 10 Base T or 100 Base T (10/100 cards) transfer rates.

If you are bringing your laptop, you should bring all the important boot disks and CD-ROM backup software that came with the system. In particular, make sure to bring your Windows disk. If you have not set up or used your Ethernet card before, you may need files from the disk to correctly enable your card.

Also, keep in mind that viruses are just as common in Korea as in the U.S. If your system is damaged by a virus, you may have to reformat your drive. You will then need all of the system disks and drivers to reformat your computer correctly. Otherwise you may be stuck with a computer that doesn't turn on. It may also be a good idea to bring your Windows software manual. And make sure you have all of your I.D. or registration codes/serial numbers for the programs you bring with you.

CABLES: You won't need anything more than an Ethernet cable and perhaps a phone cord if you are considering setting up a dial-up connection. You can buy these in Chuncheon (orientation site) for around 3,000 won (less than US$3). You can also buy surge protectors and 3.5" floppy disks for around 1,000 won each. There is a computer store close to the dormitories you will live in during orientation.

This year's orientation will be held at Kangwon National University in Chuncheon (sounds like "Choon chun"). Chuncheon is the capital of Kangwon Province and a small city by Korean standards (population 180,000). You will live in same-sex shared dormitory rooms on the KNU campus (2 males/females per room). The dorms are relatively new and are equipped with air conditioning in each room.

Generally, ETAs have enjoyed this living arrangement. The only complaints in recent years involved the hilly campus (lots of uphill walking in intense heat and humidity), the bathroom/shower arrangements (facilities separated by gender/floor), and the food (standard college fare, not typical of Korean food in general). Overall, however, the beauty of the campus scenery and surrounding area (Kangwon is famous for its lakes and mountains) and the lively college town on the edge of campus tend to make up for any minor inconveniences.

This year's orientation will concentrate on intensive language training. It will also be a transitional time that will allow you to acculturate at a more comfortable rate with a structured support system in place. Weekday mornings will be spent in language classes, and afternoons will be used for either more language and teacher training, cultural activities, or other lectures on topics related to the program. Generally, evenings will be free (aside from homework). Many ETAs in previous years have used this time to meet with language partners or pursue cultural or recreational activities.

The orientation period will be about six weeks long. In addition to language classes, it will include orientation in Seoul and culture trips to various sites. This is a great time to get to know your group and make some friends--they will function as your support group throughout the rest of the year in Korea.

It is difficult to estimate the amount of Korean you will learn as an ETA. It depends partly on how much Korean you know coming into the program, and how much initiative you have to study. ETAs who have an intermediate or advanced base in Korean are often able to build on their vocabulary and grammar knowledge substantially over the orientation period. If you are a "dead beginner," as most ETAs are, you can realistically expect to learn the basics: the hangul alphabet, greetings, and simple sentences. With this foundation, you may plateau at the end of orientation and not learn much else over the course of the year, or you may choose to advance your Korean through self-study and put yourself into situations in which you will be forced to speak Korean. It is very difficult to estimate the amount of Korean ETAs will pick up, as it depends mostly on each ETA's ability to learn languages, discipline to engage in self-study (it is very difficult to find formal instruction outside of Seoul), and access to Korean-only environments.

Although the language training and seminar schedule is intense, there is still some time left during orientation to relax or pursue other activities. Morning classes will probably run for 3 hours, with an hour to rest at lunch. Afternoon classes or lectures will run for another 2 hours. You can expect to have some homework each evening, but you should also have enough time to spare to play basketball or tennis, meet with language partners, pursue other cultural or recreational activities, or simply rest. Apart from a couple of weekends that are designated for Fulbright trips, ETAs are free most weekends to pursue their own activities.

There are two gyms on Kangwon National University's campus. One is located under the cafeteria next to the dorms and the other, which is significantly larger, is up a hill near the dorms next to a big sports hall. The smaller gym is about thirty feet square and has about ten pieces of equipment. Last year there were two treadmills, a leg bench/pulley machine, a bench press machine, a set of cable pulls, a standing punching bag, and two sit-up benches. The larger gym is roughly the size of an elementary school gymnasium. It has mostly fr