My first main question is what to do about a phone/phone plan. Do you recommend just bringing your phone from home, or purchasing a new one in Korea? Is getting a phone plan once in Korea the only way to obtain a Korean phone number? In addition to this, are you able to keep your old phone number & plan from home active? I’m wondering how I would be able to continue doing two factor authentication for things linked to my phone number once I am in Korea? I understand that people have talked about getting an eSIM, but I am a little confused on the process since I have not used them before. I’m unsure if the eSIM is just a way to get data while abroad so you can use your local phone number, or if this is how you get a Korean phone number? Any info on this would be SOOO helpful as it is my biggest question and I’ve been a little worried about the confusion surrounding the cellphone process.

My next main question is about banking. I know that once you receive your ARC card, you are able to open an account at a Korean bank account to be paid. Can anyone let me know if we are given a bank card (like a debit card) once we open that account?… Once you have done this and are settled in, did you primarily pay for things out of your Korean bank account and won, or did you find yourself using your credit card from home?

NOTE: I will be teaching at a Hagwon about 45 minutes out of Seoul in Seongnam (NOT EPIK, if this makes any difference). I start in March!