(I am upset because I literally finished this blog post, came back, and realized that I hadn’t saved any of it. But that’s okay, because now I have a new perspective of things (even though I just finished two days ago)!)

It’s really hard to make a space yours, you know? You always have to add your own personal touch to things. And now that you’re in a completely new place on your own, you don’t want to be splurging money on everything – you’re still a university student, and you’re still on a budget. So how do you make your room yours? How do you make it functional yet comfortable?

—

TIP: Don’t bring so much stuff. You’ll end up not needing that much, and if you do need something you can always buy a new one – things are quite cheap to buy in Korea (except for groceries). If you insist on bringing so much stuff, try to bring things that you’re going to be able to throw away so there will be more room in your suitcase.

—

Where to buy things: 

GS25 – level B2 of SK Global House

Other convenience stores (Ministop, CVS for U)– exit from the back door and just walk around, they’re not hard to find

Daiso – there’s 2 in the Sinchon area, one near SPAO (Sinchon Station Exit 8) and one near A Twosome Place (I don’t remember the station exit)

Homeplus – I went to the one at Mullae Station, it’s connected to the station; there’s also another one at Hapjeong station (closer and you don’t have to cross the river!)

Grand Mart – Sinchon Station Exit 7, good for groceries

Lotte Mart 999  – Sinchon Station Exit 8, next to Daiso

—

NOTE: Daiso will easily become your best friend. We’ve been here for 2 weeks and we’ve literally been to Daiso more than 7 times already – and, there are Daisos all over the city. The things there are cheap (less than 5000KRW usually) and the quality is good enough that it’ll survive for 4 months. You can’t really complain!

—

Things I would really suggest bringing (aka things you can’t easily find in Korea for cheap):

a few hangers, 2 rolls of toilet paper, adapter, power bar, water bottle, snack box (seriously comes in handy), towels, a reusable bag, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, conditioner, deodorant, duvet cover, pillowcase, fitted sheet (twin size), fabric softener, Lysol wipes, female hygiene products

—

Power bar is key. That way you don’t have to bring 5 different adapters. And I can’t tell you how important my snack box is right now – it lets me pack lunch to class (and to think I questioned my mom for telling me to pack it…)

Soap, conditioner, and shampoo are so expensive here. I had heard about this previously before, but I thought it was just because they were buying Western brands – but I was wrong. Same thing with female hygiene products.

Like a lot of other countries, Korea makes their customers pay for plastic bags – which is good, since it’s better for the environment. Not good if you don’t have a bag with you, though.

—

Things I would really suggest buying instead of bringing:

utensils, cookware (Daiso has 5 dollar pots and pans… good enough for the 4 months that I’m going to be here), laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, house/bathroom slippers, beauty products (Korea is famous for skincare and beauty products- just bring the minimum, or medicinal creams that you need)

—

Again.. just buy everything from Daiso. If they don’t have it at Daiso, try the Homeplus.

TIP: Try to buy things when they’re on sale; there are often 1+1 sales (buy one get one free).

ANOTHER TIP: Don’t buy so much ‘stuff’. By that, I mean things that don’t have any use. Yes, you want to make your room yours, but you’re only living here for 4 months – I’m sure you’ll be able to live with having minimal things. You’ll feel better when you pack everything up to leave, and you’ll save money as well.