3-MINUTE TRAVEL GUIDE:
SEOUL, KOREA
DON’T FORGET TO PACK Your favorite mosquito repellent! If you have curly hair, bring all the products. I couldn’t find products for curly hair, and heat protectant spray isn’t widely available either. Bring a good amount of clothing that can be styled differently for all the seasons you’ll be there. South Korea is very fashion-centric, but the clothes you can buy are generally smaller than in the US.
Women: bring deodorant and for your comfort, bring your preferred menstrual products (there’s not a lot of variety).
Pro tip: bring one ‘extra’ copy of the recommended documents for yourself. At orientation for KU, I had to give the staff all five photocopies of my passport. I couldn’t fathom that they would actually need all five, but UCEAP was right—they did! Make one extra copy for yourself.
BEST LEFT AT HOME School supplies and skin care—so many stores have great deals on these items.
WHERE TO LIVE I recommend a goshiwon rather than the on-campus dorms. Friends who lived in the dorms said the application process was complex, rife with glitches, and housing filled up quickly. The dorms are also situated on the top of a hill, so if you’re there in the summer, it can be a hot, humid walk uphill every day.
A goshiwon is a small, private space with everything you need: a bed, private bathroom, mini fridge, closet, shelves, and cabinets (think a tiny efficiency apartment). You may have to splurge a bit for a good goshiwon, but honestly, if you plan to explore a lot and make the most of your stay in Korea, you don’t need a lot of room. Be sure to research carefully and talk with the owner before you rent (this is for your safety and to be courteous). I stayed at KU Guesthouse because it’s on Anam Street near so many great food places and close to everything (especially the Science campus). Plus, the landlady was a sweetheart!
BEST EATS NEAR CAMPUS I miss Okduheon Handmade Tofu (옥두헌손두부) the most. Their chicken stew was so delicious, they gave lots of side dishes, and the prices were so affordable. Their bibimbap was also delicious. Another great place is Chuncheonjip Korea University Branch (춘천집 고대점). This is a dakgalbi place (spicy stir-fried chicken), but there are several add-ons you can buy, such as cheese tteok (I highly recommend). To find these places, paste the Korean name into Naver Maps (South Korea’s GPS navigation app).
FAVORITE KOREAN ACTIVITY Walking around the markets where there are many street foods and shops. Myeongdong, Namdaemun, and Gwangjang markets are some of my favorite markets because of the variety and prices. If you like art and crafts, the Gwangjang market has a lot of affordable materials.
WHERE TO STUDY Study cafes are very common in Korea. This is one of the reasons you don’t need a big room when renting in Korea. You can easily take your work to a café or a library.
MUST-TRY LOCAL DISH If you like chicken, cheese, and glass noodles, you have to try jjimdak! This was one of my first meals in Korea, and it was so delicious that my mouth still waters just thinking about it.
BEST PHOTO OP If you are studying abroad during the fall, I suggest going to the Science Campus and taking pictures there in November (when the leaf colors change). Most students don’t go to the Science campus, but there are fantastic photo opportunities with beautiful trees and stairs.
BIGGEST FAIL Not going out more. Korea has so much to offer. It’s a beautiful place with so many exciting and diverse activities. After winter came, I went out less, and I regret that. The winter season has its own charm. Just make sure to layer your clothes and bundle up!
BUY THIS The Korail pass! These are bullet train passes, and the faster train is actually cheaper. However, the most important thing you’ll buy is a T-money card, which can be filled up and used to pay for buses, subways, and even taxis. It can also be used at some stores, but it’s an absolute must for public transportation.
NOT THAT Clothing from outlets (it’s very expensive, thrifting is cheaper).
MOST INTERESTING CLASS Introduction to Korean and East Asian History (HOKA004). Exactly as the title suggests, you learn about the history of East Asia, giving you a perspective on the politics between East Asian countries and how it relates to day-to-day life in Korea.
BEST PART OF THE PROGRAM Making new friends and solo exploring Korea. While group activities are fun and exciting, one of my most memorable experiences in Korea was traveling to Pyeongchang and exploring on my own. Korea is pretty safe, and although I was a little scared to do things by myself, it was so worth it. My self-confidence and self-satisfaction shot up once I set my fear aside and started doing things by myself.
UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND TRIPS Seoul has much to offer, but taking weekend trips to other cities is a different adventure altogether. While Busan is a must-go place, it is a big city like Seoul, so the vibe is similar. I suggest going East to Chuncheon or Gangneung. Chuncheon is about an hour away by train, and Gangneung is a little over two hours away. I preferred the small-town feel, slow pace, and beautiful simplicity over the fast-paced big cities.
BONUS PRO TIPS Learn to read Hangeul. Menus are just English words written in Korean.
Don’t take too many difficult classes. You will be very distracted while studying abroad and unable to focus on complex studies. Also, remember that grading and the study culture are different abroad.
Even if you don’t make friends or travel buddies, go out and explore by yourself! You’ll regret staying in.
Most of the time, locals prefer not to interact with foreigners, so if there are clubs or programs for international students, take advantage of them. This will help you make friends with local students.
Keep up to date with politics and news, and sign up for STEP—the US government’s way of keeping track of where you are and ensuring you are accounted for in case of international emergencies. When I was in Korea, I received messages about the goings-on of North Korean missile launches, which served as a good source of knowledge.
Finally, apply for scholarships! I would not have had such a good experience without the Gilman Scholarship. It was integral to my study abroad plans and I was grateful to receive it.
