Welcome to the 250+ new NETs that have just arrived in Daegu!  You’re probably freaking out over the littlest of things….. but if it makes you feel any better, 100 of us came to Daegu a year ago, and roughly 75% have re-signed to stay another year.  You can do it!  

My tips for you can be found here:

New NETs:  Odds and Ends Survival Guide (Part 1 - TRASH) 

New NETs:  Odds and Ends Survival Guide (Part 2 - TRANSPORT)

New NETs:  Odds and Ends Survival Guide (Part 3 - WESTERN RESTAURANTS)

and now for the 4th installment:  THINGS TO BUY!!!!

I was inspired to write this by two things:  
1.  Moving into a new apartment and having to buy some staples.
2.  Helping my newbie shop for his apartment.  

First and foremost, WHERE TO BUY:

Let me introduce you to an amazing store called Daiso (pronounced “Dah-ee-so”).  This Korean version of a dollar-store is well-equipped with cheaply priced…. well…. EVERYTHING!  You can literally find just about anything you need for your apartment.  

(Photo courtesy of Christina Kaaloa at GRRRLTraveler)

For nicer things or things you cannot find, go to HomePlus or E-Mart, but definitely check out Daiso first!!!!!  

There are Daisos littered around Daegu.  There are two located within Banwoldang subway station.  One is located between line 2 and line 1 (towards Daegok).  The second one is located once you have exited the subway and have gone upstairs to the underground mall.  You can find it right around the main court area.  There is another one located in the downtown shopping area near exit 13, close to UNIQLO and Irish Potato.  

(photo courtesy of GRRRL Traveler)

WHAT TO BUY:

1.  HOOKS (can be bought at Daiso)
Your apartment is probably pretty small.  Shelving is lacking.  One of the things I have found most helpful are little stick-y hooks that you can put everywhere.  I use them to hang everything from kitchen utensils, curtains, scarfs, loofahs, towels, jewelry, etc.  

2.  SQUEEGIE (can be bought at Daiso)
You will grow to love showering in your bathroom.  Yes everything gets wet, but everything is within reach and it makes bathroom cleaning a breeze.  However, your bathroom will stay wet for hours (days?) if you don’t do something about the standing water.  I keep a squeegie in my bathroom and squeegie all the excess water down my drain after every shower.  

3.  FAN (can possibly be bought at Daiso)
Also helpful for drying a wet bathroom, I mostly use my fan for 2 things:   1)  as white noise for sleeping (apartment buildings tend to be noisy and echo-y) and 2) as a dryer.  Your clothes will take days to dry, and the assistance of a fan will speed up this process immensely.    

4.  USB (not available at Daiso)
You will probably not survive without this.  Most of you will change classrooms for each class…. or you will teach in an English zone that is not where your office is located.  Therefore, you will need a USB to transfer all your lessons.  Make sure your PowerPoints and docs are “saved as” 2003 compatible — most schools still run on Windows XP and Microsoft Office 1997-2003.   I carry my USB around on a lanyard around my neck so I don’t lose it.  

5.  WINE OPENER/BOTTLE OPENER (can be bought at Daiso)
Because let’s face it…. you’re going to need a drink every now and then (every day?).  Beer and soju run cheap and plentiful.   If you ever sicken of cheap Korean beer and splurge on Budweiser, Buds here are pop-off top only (no screw-offs) so you need a bottle opener or lighter.  Wine is a little more expensive ($6-$30) and can usually only be found at the more major markets.  However, the selection is pretty wide and stores like Donga, Emart and HomePlus usually have their own wine sections, complete with a sweetness/dryness scale and English pricetags.  

… and don’t worry—  you will survive this year!  It takes just about a year to get settled and comfortable.    You will find this year challenging and frustrating and rewarding and fun all at the same time.  You will have great days where you want to skip down the street and hug passing ajummas. You will have horrible days where you want to quit your contract and go back home.  

My best advice to you is this:  socialize.  You have an amazing community of foreigners here in Daegu.  Go out as much as you can handle.  Make friends.  Get involved.  Party your ass off.   There’s nothing wrong with this.  You will rely on each other to survive. 

Good luck!