Top 10 Tips

1. Climate Card/T-money Card

   1. I recommend getting a Climate Card, a transportation card that offers unlimited rides on Korea's subway and bus system. There are two different plans: one includes bike, bus, and subway access, while the other covers just bus and subway. If you connect it to your Alien Registration Card (ARC), it costs 55,000 KRW, which is a great deal compared to the regular price of 62,000 KRW for 30 days without bike access. This card helped me save a lot of money, especially when traveling frequently around Seoul.

   2. Keep in mind that Climate Cards can only be used within Seoul. Therefore, I suggest also having a T-Money card as a backup in case the Climate Card doesn’t work. I personally used a WOWPASS card, which functions as both a T-Money card and a debit card.

   3. You can check out this link for climate card information: Climate Card - Seoul Metropolitan Government.

2. Learning the Language and Culture

   1. Before traveling abroad, I highly recommend doing some research to learn about the culture and language. This will help you adapt to a new environment and improve your interactions with locals. People appreciate the effort when you try to communicate in their language.

3. Naver Map, Kakao, and Papago

   1. Google Maps does not work in Korea, so make sure to download Naver Map. It’s user-friendly and convenient. I recommend saving locations in the app for easy access when you're nearby.

   2. Kakao apps such as KakaoTalk, KakaoTaxi, and KakaoMap are also essential. Most Koreans use KakaoTalk for messaging and calls, so setting up an account is important for staying connected. KakaoMap can sometimes have place names that Naver Map doesn’t include. KakaoTaxi is a safe and convenient way to order taxis, which my friends and I frequently used in Jeju and Busan or when buses became scarce.

   3. Papago is a helpful translator app, often more accurate for Korean translations than Google Translate.

4. Book tickets and etc. through travel companies

   1. To book tickets and activities, check out travel or booking companies online. These sites often offer discounts, special offers, and bundle packages:

      1. Klook

      2. Trazy

      3. Korea Travel Easy

      4. Seoul Travel Pass

      5. Direct Websites

5. Have credit/debit cards ready

   1. Before studying abroad, notify your credit/debit card companies that you will be using the cards internationally. Ensure you have more than one card in case one gets damaged or isn’t accepted.

   2. I recommend getting a WOWPASS, which serves as both a T-Money and debit card.

6. Get involved with school/campus activities

   1. Participate in school or campus activities such as fairs and clubs. They offer great opportunities to interact with Korean students and learn about their culture. At Korea University (KU), the buddy program is highly active. I attended activities like Lotte World, Sports Day, and after-parties. For the business school, the KUBS buddies organized fun activities such as bowling and picnics at Hangang.

7. Pack lightly

   1. I highly recommend packing lightly to leave room for purchases. You can buy essentials in Korea cheaply at stores like Daiso, Costco, or Olive Young.

   2. Bring clothes you can part with to make room for new ones. Consider coming with at least one empty suitcase.

   3. Vacuum-seal bags are also incredibly useful and can be bought cheaply at Daiso.

8. Keep track of your expenses

   1. It’s easy to overspend, so maintain a spreadsheet to track your expenses. Personally, I focused more on tracking than restricting spending because this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Buy what you want and will use, but keep financial records.

9. Maintain work-life balance

   1. While studying abroad, it’s easy to neglect academics. Dedicate a few hours each week to review materials so you don’t fall behind.

   2. Studying at a new cafe can make this time enjoyable. I often studied with friends and explored new places afterward.

10. Get a SIM card

    1. Before arriving in Korea, consider ordering a SIM card that covers both data and calls. I used Chingu Mobile’s U SIM Basic Plan A for 150 days at 105,000 KRW, which covered my entire semester. Other options include Trazy.

    2. You can check out their website for other plans and information: ChinguMobile