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Kang & Kriel Recruitment
A week-by-week checklist for new ESL teachers arriving in South Korea — covering housing setup, banking, phone, transportation, work orientation, and social integration during your first month.
Your first 30 days involve four major phases: settling into housing and meeting your school (Week 1), setting up banking and a phone (Week 2), establishing your work routine and building social connections (Week 3), and exploring your neighborhood and optimizing your daily life (Week 4). Keep your passport, contract, and ARC receipt accessible throughout.
In your first week, focus on moving into your apartment, meeting your co-teacher or school contact, completing your initial school orientation, and getting a temporary transit card. Do not try to accomplish everything at once — jet lag and culture shock are real, and your school expects an adjustment period.
Your school or recruiter should meet you at the airport or arrange transport. Check your apartment thoroughly on arrival — test hot water, heating or air conditioning, internet, and the washing machine. Take photos of any existing damage and report it to your school in writing. Your school will introduce you to colleagues and walk through the daily schedule. Ask for a campus map, Wi-Fi password, and emergency contact numbers. Buy a T-money transit card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, or 7-Eleven) and load 10,000 KRW to start. Locate the nearest convenience store, grocery mart, and subway or bus stop.
Save these emergency numbers immediately: 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and 1345 for the Korea Immigration Contact Center which offers English support 24 hours a day. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation, KakaoTalk for messaging, and Papago for real-time translation.
KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in Korea — your co-teachers, school admin, and landlord will all contact you through it. Register with your Korean phone number as soon as you have one. Naver Map is more accurate than Google Maps for Korean addresses and transit routes. Papago (by Naver) provides excellent Korean-English translation including camera mode for reading signs and menus. The 1345 immigration helpline handles visa questions, workplace issues, and general settlement support in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other languages.
Within 90 days of arrival you must register at your local immigration office to receive your Residence Card (formerly called Alien Registration Card or ARC). This card is your Korean ID — you need it for banking, phone contracts, and health insurance enrollment. Book your appointment early as wait times can be several weeks.
Visit the Hi Korea website (hikorea.go.kr) to book an appointment at the immigration office nearest your home. Bring your passport, contract, two passport-size photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm), and the application fee of 30,000 KRW. Processing takes 2-3 weeks. You will receive a receipt that serves as temporary ID. Your school may handle this process for you — ask during orientation. Once issued, your Residence Card contains your Alien Registration Number which is required for nearly every official transaction in Korea.
Open a Korean bank account at Hana, Shinhan, or Woori Bank — all three have English-language support at major branches. You need your passport, Residence Card (or ARC receipt), and your Korean phone number. For your phone, buy a prepaid SIM or sign up for a postpaid plan at a carrier like SKT, KT, or LG U+.
Some banks allow account opening with just your passport and ARC receipt before the full card arrives. Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank are popular with foreign teachers for their English mobile banking apps and foreign remittance services. Ask your bank to set up your account as a foreign-designated account if you plan to send money abroad. For your phone, your school may help you sign up for a postpaid plan. If going solo, carrier stores in your area can set you up with a plan starting at 30,000-50,000 KRW per month with generous data.
By your third week, you should be settling into your teaching schedule, receiving your first lesson plans or curriculum materials, and confirming your National Health Insurance (NHIS) enrollment with your school. Ask your school for a pay slip template showing salary, tax, pension, and NHIS deduction breakdowns.
Your employer must enroll you in NHIS within 14 days of your start date. Confirm enrollment by asking for your health insurance card or checking with the school office. If your school has not enrolled you, contact the NHIS helpline at 1577-1000 (English available). Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy to your home and workplace. Start building your lesson planning routine — ask co-teachers for textbooks, previous lesson plans, and classroom resources. Observe other teachers if possible during your first week of classes.
Korean grocery shopping centers around large marts like Emart, Homeplus, and Costco, as well as smaller neighborhood markets and convenience stores. Budget 200,000-350,000 KRW per month for groceries if you cook at home. Western ingredients are available at international food sections in major marts and through Coupang (online delivery).
Learn your neighborhood grocery options in Week 3. Small vegetable shops and traditional markets (시장) offer the best produce prices. Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) are everywhere and stock ready meals, snacks, and basics. For international food cravings, Itaewon (Seoul), Haeundae (Busan), and online retailers like iHerb and Coupang carry imported goods. Start a simple meal rotation to manage your food budget — Korean staples like rice, kimchi, eggs, and seasonal vegetables are inexpensive.
By Week 4 you should explore your broader neighborhood, join at least one social group or activity, and establish a weekend routine. Korea has active communities for foreign teachers including sports leagues, language exchange groups, hiking clubs, and online forums. Building a social network early prevents isolation.
Facebook groups like "Expats in Seoul" or city-specific teacher groups are the easiest starting point. Many cities have organized weekend hiking groups — Korea has excellent mountain trails accessible by public transit. Language exchange meetups (where you practice English with Koreans practicing Korean with you) are a great way to make local friends. Your school may also organize social events. Explore your district on foot during your first free weekend — find your favorite café, restaurant, and park. These small familiar spots become your anchors in the new environment.
Set up your international money transfer service (Wise or Remitly) during Week 4, establish a monthly budget, and confirm your first paycheck is correct. Check that your salary, tax deductions, pension contributions (4.75% in 2026), and NHIS premiums all match your contract terms.
Register for Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Remitly to send money home at better rates than Korean bank wire transfers. Link your Korean bank account. Set up a simple monthly budget: fixed costs (phone, transport, insurance) plus variable costs (food, social, personal). Most teachers find their first paycheck arrives on the 10th or 25th of the month depending on the school. Verify all deductions match your contract. If anything looks wrong, raise it with your school immediately — payroll errors are easier to fix in the first month than later.
Move into your apartment, inspect for damage, buy basic supplies, and get a T-money transit card from any convenience store.
Duration: 1-2 daysMeet your co-teachers and principal, tour the campus, review the curriculum and schedule, and collect teaching materials.
Duration: 3 daysSchedule your Residence Card appointment at hikorea.go.kr. Gather your passport, contract, photos, and 30,000 KRW fee.
Duration: 1 dayVisit a carrier store (SKT, KT, or LG U+) to get a SIM card or postpaid plan. You may need your passport and ARC receipt.
Duration: 1-2 daysVisit Hana, Shinhan, or Woori Bank with your passport, ARC receipt, and Korean phone number. Request foreign remittance setup.
Duration: 1-2 hoursAsk your school to confirm your health insurance enrollment. Begin teaching your first classes and building your routine.
Duration: 1 weekRegister for Wise or Remitly and link your Korean bank account for international transfers at competitive exchange rates.
Duration: 1-2 hoursJoin a teacher community group, attend a language exchange, or explore a new neighborhood. Build your support network early.
Duration: OngoingSenior ESL Consultant & TESOL Trainer
8+ years of experience
Korea has excellent shopping, but bring any prescription medications (with documentation), deodorant in your preferred brand (limited selection in Korea), larger clothing or shoe sizes (Korean sizes skew smaller), and any specific comfort items. Books in English are expensive in Korea — bring a few or use an e-reader.
Bring at least $1,000-$1,500 USD in cash or accessible funds. Your first paycheck may not arrive for 4-6 weeks depending on your start date and pay cycle. Budget for food, transport, phone setup, and ARC fees before your first salary.
Document everything with photos and timestamps. Report issues to your school contact immediately in writing (email or KakaoTalk message). Most schools will arrange repairs within a few days. For urgent issues like no hot water or broken heating, insist on same-day attention.
Yes, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. However, some smaller shops, traditional markets, and restaurants are cash-only or only accept Korean cards. Carry some Korean cash (50,000-100,000 KRW) for the first week until your Korean bank card is ready.
Jet lag from Western countries to Korea typically lasts 3-5 days. Maintain regular sleep and meal times from Day 1. Culture shock peaks around Week 2-4 and is completely normal. Stay busy, explore your neighborhood, and connect with other foreign teachers who understand the adjustment period.
Save 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1345 (immigration helpline with English), 1588-5800 (Medical Korea English interpretation), and 1577-1000 (NHIS health insurance helpline). Also save your school emergency contact and your embassy phone number.
Sarah Chen. (2026, April 1). Your First 30 Days in Korea: The Complete Settlement Checklist. ESL365. https://esl365.com /knowledge-hub/first-30-days