Bank account and cell phone

Today I opened a bank account and got a cell phone with the help of two of my teachers. I’ll tell you a bit how that worked out.

I’ll start with the bank account. I chose Shinhan Bank after comparing it with KEB, KB, and Woori. I know there are more banks out there. But even between these banks, there didn’t seem to be too much difference between them. The main two advantages Shinhan had over the others was that it was the closest to my apartment, and it has a crapload of branches and ATMs throughout Korea.

As I suspected might happen, I was told that I couldn’t have an ATM card for three months. But since this was with regard to ATM cards with a VISA logo, I persisted and asked for just a regular bank card without the VISA logo. That way I could at least use the ATM machines and not have to go into the branch every time I need money. I don’t mind waiting three months to get a debit card, but not being able to use an ATM when the banks close at 4:00 and I don’t finish work until 4:40...that could be a problem (especially since I’ll get paid by direct deposit…and all my bills will be paid by direct withdrawal. So like, everyone would have access to my money except me).

So the teller called someone higher up and found that that was possible. I’ll get a bank card in about four days. Then in three months, I’ll apply for the VISA debit card.

I was a little concerned how much remittance would cost using my bank here. In Japan, I used third-party service from Llyods TSB, since they offered a flat rate to send money back to my bank in the States. But it looks like it only costs 5,000 won (less than US$5.00) to wire money home, and I can do it online. (It sounds like most banks in Korea have online banking, so that’s pretty cool.)

Not sure I’ll be sending money home anyway since the banks there aren’t getting good interest rates, and because I’m not sure I’ll be going back to the States this time. If in three months I can get my international debit card anyway, it’s just as well I leave my money here (unless saving my money in the form of other currencies becomes advantageous).

Ok, the cell phones here. Really cool, I think. I guess I never got much more than I needed in Japan or Taiwan (or America) as far as service was concerned. This will be the first time I have a phone that I can use in other countries. To avoid startup costs or paying for a phone, I signed up in my teacher’s name (I did this in Taiwan, too). Otherwise, I would have paid about 90,000 won (about US$70.00) for the phone. I liked free better. And it’s a sweet looking phone, too. I’ll take a picture of it sometime after I buy a power converter for my camera battery charger.

Anyway, between a phone I can use here and overseas and (eventually) a VISA debit card, it seems I might be able to anchor myself in Korea a bit.

I also got my ARC and my multiple re-entry permit for my passport. I get paid next week (and get my plane ticket reimbursed). The semester doesn’t start until the 27th... Wonder if I couldn’t make a quick trip over to Japan... Hmmm... Tempting. We’ll see...