The first month sets the tone for your whole contract. Get the essentials done early and the rest of the year is far smoother. Here is a practical order of operations.
Before you fly
- Save scans of your passport, visa, degree and contract to the cloud
- Bring enough cash or a travel card for your first month
- Pack any prescription medicine with a doctor’s note
- Download offline maps, a translation app and the messaging app your school uses
Week one essentials
- Get a local SIM or eSIM so your school can reach you
- Get a transit card — T-money in Korea, Suica or PASMO in Japan, EasyCard in Taiwan
- Register your address with the local city office or immigration office, if required
- Save your school’s emergency contact and the location of the nearest clinic
Setting up home
If housing is provided, inspect everything on move-in day and photograph any existing damage. If you are renting privately, confirm whether utilities are included and how deposits are returned.
Open a local bank account as soon as your residence card arrives, then link it to a payment app so you can pay for everyday things without cash.
Admin and money
- Apply for your residence card on time and keep the receipt
- Confirm your health insurance is active and know how to use it
- Check your first payslip for tax, insurance and pension deductions
- Set up a low-fee way to send money home
Emergency numbers
Save these in your phone on day one. Most cities also run a foreigner helpline with English support.
| Country | Police | Ambulance & fire |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 112 | 119 |
| Japan | 110 | 119 |
| China | 110 | 120 (ambulance) · 119 (fire) |
| Taiwan | 110 | 119 |
| Vietnam | 113 | 115 (ambulance) · 114 (fire) |
| Thailand | 191 · 1155 (tourist police) | 1669 (ambulance) · 199 (fire) |
Settling in
Find a grocery store, a pharmacy, and a coffee shop you like within walking distance. Small routines go a long way toward making a new city feel like home. Learning a few phrases in the local language makes daily life much warmer — and your students will love it.
Keep a digital folder with scans of your passport, visa, residence card, and contract — you will be asked for them more often than you expect.