21st Century Clinic in Jeongja

I have a dry cough for five days now and I can't sleep because of it. So, I sought some advice from Expat Women in Korea, a closed Facebook group for foreign women in Korea. And everyone said to see a doctor. And, one of the ladies suggested the 21st Century Clinic near Jeongja Station, in Seongnam.

How to get there:
1. Get to Bundang Line going to Jeongja. For me, since I am from Gachon University station, it only took me 7 stops to get to Jeongja. I use KakaoMetro App to check for train routes and schedules as well as how much I am going to pay for the trip. This app is a must when coming to Korea as an expat or just for vacation.

There are 7 stops from Gachon University to Jeongja. Estimated travel time is 15 minutes and the trip will cost 1,250 won. 

2. Get out of Jeongja Station at Exit 4. Signs posted inside train stations are both written in hangul and in alphabet, so it's foreigner friendly.

3. Cross the street just straight outside Exit 4. 

You'll see this street just outside Exit 4. The building on the other side of the road is where the clinic is.

21st Century Clinic is on the 7th Floor of this building.

4. Go to the 7th floor. At the back of the building and you'll see an entrance where the elevator is. 

When you get to the 7th floor, turn leftand you'll see this.
This is the entrance to the clinic.

My first experience with Korean medical service was really good. The nurses and the staff were friendly and some of them were good in English. They asked for my Alien Registration Card (ARC) but since I did not have one yet, I just gave them my passport. Always remember to bring your passport with you when you go out especially if you do not have an ARC yet. 

So, when you're a foreigner, they automatically assign you to a doctor who speaks English. And good thing, my Doctor was excellent in English. She just asked me what my symptoms are and in less than five minutes, I am done. All I needed to do was to wait for my bill and prescription.

If you have a health insurance, make sure to inform the staff so that they can provide you with necessary documents.

Just outside the clinic, still on the 7th floor, there's a pharmacy where you can buy your prescribed medicines and the pharmacist speaks English too. She gave me clear instructions on what medicines to take and when to take them.

Medicines were packed in groups.
My prescription says I need to take one set of tablets and one Synatura three times a day for three days.

I paid 14,410 KRW in the clinic and 15,940 KRW for the medicines. Then, the doctor asked me to come back on Saturday for a follow up check up.

So, hopefully I'll get better after everything. Hahahaha

Packing for South Korea

My Life in a Single Picture

Months before my flight to South Korea, I've been searching and reading blogs and articles about what to bring and what not to bring with me. And, now that I am here, I am too much disappointed how unprepared I am.

Now, keep in mind that I am from a normal family in the Philippines who enjoyed a lot of cheap and low-cost food and drinks. I am going to live here in SoKor for more or less two years because I am earning my Master's degree and working on research projects under a scholarship. Therefore, the budget is really tight. Thus, having brought things from the Philippines, could have my life easier.

Below are the things that I think are important and you should bring with you:

Clothes
As we all know, SoKor has four seasons (summer, fall, winter, and autumn). Therefore, you need to be prepared. Let us be clear here, you do not need to bring every clothe you have for the different seasons. It is wiser to bring whatever the season of the country is.

1. Shirts and Blouses
Make sure only to bring those you sure you are going to wear. Excess clothes will just a waste of space inside your luggage. Five shirts and five blouses will do. Besides, you can buy more here in SoKor. If you're not good with the cold, like me, bring thick ones.


2. Shorts and Pants
I brought some shorts from home but when I arrived here, it was too cold so, I am glad I brought a few pants with me. I brought 5, by the way. Style doesn't really matter since Koreans do not really care. What matters more is that you're comfortable with what you're wearing.

3. Jackets
Oh! Your partner in everyday life. I've mentioned earlier that I am not good with cold weather. Therefore, I brought a lot of jackets with me. One UP jersey jacket (thanks to my friend who let me steal it from him), my dad's giant sweater, five thick ukay-ukay winter jackets (only Php70 each or ~USD2). Yep, it consumed more than half of my luggage. I brought too much. I should have stick to three or four.

4. Scarfs and Bonnets
In case your jacket or winter clothes aren't enough, one or two scarfs won't harm you. For me, I am a big fan of bonnets, I brought five with me.

5. Under wears
Of course!

6. Other things you need can be bought in flea markets and cheap shopping districts around Seoul. (Which I am gonna write about in another article in the near future.)

Footwear
1. Ballet flats
I love flats because they're comfortable to wear and you can pair it with a lot of styles.

2. Rubber shoes
I did not brought one and I really should have. This is a must when you decide to have long comfortable walks.

3. Socks for all occasions!
You'll never go wrong with socks. Even when you sleep at home, you might need to wear one, or two.

Bathroom Essentials
Bring your favorite body soap, shampoo and conditioner just in case you haven't found a worthy replacement yet in SoKor. But eventually, you'll find one that you'll like.

Skin Essentials
MOISTURIZER! Bring one for your face and one for your body. The temperature in SoKor can be really low that you're skin becomes dry in the middle of the day.

Fooooooooood!
For me, this is the most important in the list. Do not forget your most favorite food from home and condiments, too. I kind of underestimated this and just brought Otap and dried fish from Cebu. Now, I'm waiting for my father's package of Filipino food that I miss the most.