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Whether you are preparing for just a month-long exchange or moving for a four-year degree – there’s nothing more daunting than packing your life into one or two bags under 23kg to hold you over in a foreign country.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through our experience of must-bring items and what you can leave behind as you pack for an exchange or study abroad semester in South Korea! 
- Clothing
- Cosmetics / Personal Care Items
- Electronics / School Supplies
- Other (Snacks, Medicine / Vitamins, Etc)
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1. Clothing
K-fashion is increasingly popular worldwide as seen with the ever more popular Seoul Fashion Week. And with reasonable prices and varied styles, it’s not hard to find your new favorite wardrobe pieces in Seoul. However, in some more rural areas of the country, in-person shopping may be limited and wherever you go the sizing is often ‘free’ meaning one-size-fits-all, which may not actually work for everyone.
1) Sizing
While typical straight sizes are usually not too difficult to find, especially at stores like H&M or UNIQLO, plus sizes as small as XL are still considered a niche market in Korea. This means that even in Seoul you’ll find only a handful of physical stores with bigger sizes. Most residents shop online for larger sizes, but this may be difficult to do until after you’ve received the ARC. We recommend bringing a good amount of wardrobe basics for all sizes, but even more so for those with bigger builds.
2) Undergarments
Similar to typical store sizing Korean undergarments are likely to be sized and offered in a different variety than what you might be used to back home. If possible we recommend packing enough to last your entire stay rather than trying to buy after arrival.
3) Seasonal Clothes
Korea goes through all four seasons throughout the year, so make sure you’ve checked the predicted weather for your stay & pack accordingly! Some areas like Jeju and Busan typically run warmer and may not need heavy winter gear, but a good winter coat is a must in Seoul! Accessories like scarves, gloves, and hats are easy to find for purchase, but finding the perfect winter coat in your size could be a challenge.
Check out our blog on the trendiest places to shop in Korea here.
2. Cosmetics / Personal Care Items
Likely taking up the bulk of the weight in your suitcase – next up we’ll talk about cosmetics and personal care items. South Korea is infamous for exceptional skincare, so feel free to skip packing your daily moisturizers. But here are a few things you may want to pack extra of instead.
1) Deodorant
It’s true! Koreans on average sweat less & smell better than others. According to research at the University of Bristol only 0.006 percent of the Korean population have the ABCC11 gene, a major culprit behind body odor. As a result, the range of deodorant in Korea is extremely limited and often more expensive than overseas. If you have a brand you like to use at home, we highly recommend packing one (or 2, or 3) for your time in Korea.
2) Conditioner
Korean haircare is big on following shampoo with what’s called a ‘rise’ or ‘treatment’. While essentially similar to a light conditioner, this formula is likely to take some adjusting to and may not work for all hair types. Bring a big bottle of your favorite conditioner in your suitcase to help your hair make the transition & avoid drying out.
3) Acne treatments
Skincare in Korea is largely focused on prevention & maintenance of the skin, rather than the Western focus on treatment. This means that although pimple patches are the cleverest thing since sliced bread, it’s also one of only a few skin treatment methods common in Korean skincare. If you have a favorite acne treatment featuring hyaluronic acid in particular, it’s unlikely you’ll find an exact match in K-beauty so be sure to bring it with you.
4) Sephora Favorites
Sephora in Korea, unfortunately, began closing its doors in the country in 2023 due to the heavy competition from domestic brands. Usually, you won’t find you miss it with excellent Korean dupes for most beauty products you can think of found at Olive Young. However, some globally popular brands like REM Beauty, Rhodes, Summer Fridays, and more are virtually impossible to find in Korea as a result.
5) Beauty Tools
As tempting as it is to bring your favorite curling wand or flat iron, we recommend saving space and picking one up at Daiso instead. The average mid-level hair tool in Korea will not set you back more than 35,000won and is sure to work consistently with the electricity and outlets in your accommodation. Trust me, you do not want to fry the breaker – or your hair! – using the wrong plugs or wattage.
Get your phone plan squared away before you leave with Trazy!
3. Electronics / School Supplies
If you’re coming to Korea for school your laptop and school supplies are easily one of the most important items to pack. But beyond making sure your laptop doesn’t get fried while charging, Korea’s got studying down to an art.
1) Laptop Power Converter
Similar to styling tools, most foreign chargers will require not only an adapter but also a wattage converter to work with Korean outlets. Surprisingly, these can be a bit tricky to find within the country as most will convert foreign wattage input to Korean output and not the other way around. Skip the headache and pre-pack your own or grab one at your departure airport.
2) Stationery Supplies
It feels straightforward to bring pens, pencils, and a notebook to start school but as many universities embrace the modern age, most students will stick to their laptops or iPads for notetaking and studying. If you do find yourself wanting physical notes, Korea also offers no shortage of clever and cute stationary from stores like Artbox to boutiques across Hongdae for all your notetaking needs.
3) VPN
A VPN can be a game-changer for accessing foreign sites while in Korea. While most commonly used for Hulu and Netflix, a VPN will also allow you to shop foreign websites to send things back home or even access some banking information that is geographically locked. While not an absolute must-have, it will definitely come in handy if you regularly surf the web or stream!
Avoid stress and pre-book your transportation from the airport:
4. Other
From Cheezits to Benedryl – some creature comforts from your home country just can’t be replaced. If you’ve got some extra space in your bags, here are a few items to consider bringing to help cut down on homesickness and ease your transition to a foreign country.
1) Snacks & Spices
As tasty as Korean food and snacks are, there is likely to come a time when you’ll have a craving for a flavor or texture from home you just can’t replicate in Korea. For times like these, consider packing one or two of your favorite condiments, seasonings, or snacks to help combat the homesickness. (I know there’s a dedicated section of my suitcase just for American Kraft Mac n’ Cheese!)
2) Medicines
Being sick is the worst – even more so when you’re on your own in a foreign country, especially if you don’t yet have the language skills to get the meds you need. Korean pharmacies, or Yakguk, are well stocked and able to help with just about any basic ailment but typically require a basic Korean conversation to get what you need. We recommend bringing a few basics like aspirin, after-bite itch cream, Tylenol, and Bendryl with you to tide you over during the learning process.
5) Space for Souvenirs
Most importantly – we recommend bringing ample room (hello second empty suitcase), for souvenirs and purchases from your time in South Korea. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your bags will fill when its time to return home, and the 23kg limit imposed by airlines is no joke! Although you can ship items home if needed, the cheapest options often take 3-4 months to arrive – so plan ahead by packing that space with things you use up and dispose of in Korea, like snacks, or purposely avoid filling your bags to the brim for room to do so later!
Check out more Trazy Blogs on survival tips for exchange students in Korea!
For those who are planning to join an exchange student program in Korea next year, check out the essential info & tips for international & exchange students in Korea! And don’t forget to use the coupon code “studyinkorea24” to get a 5% discount on all the fun things to do in Korea!
With an endless amount of things to do and places to visit, don’t forget to stop by Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop for endless suggestions on things to do!
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