the a+ student exchange
SOUTH KOREA
guide to
Since you’re heading over to Korea for exchange, then i’m guessing you’re either a “KPOP FAN” or a “K-DRAMA FAN”. If you’re neither of the above, then I recommend you to start brushing up on your kpop/kdrama knowledge to fully immerse yourself in the Korean experience. Other than the showbiz culture that has been fueling Korea’s tourism industry for the past decade, Korean beauty (also known as K-beauty) have also made their way around the world for its amazing effect on the skin. Pssst, food is definitely something you should also look out for when you’re in Korea!
tell me more about South korea!
Despite being a relatively small country of only 100, 210 square kilometres, it currently holds the 11th largest GDP in the world (as shown in this latest ranking by World Bank). Amazing isn’t it! Most of us will know about the separation of North and South Korea in 1945, and it is astonishing how South Korea is able to achieve such rapid economic growth despite placed in such a situation.
Source: Wikipedia
EDUCATION IN SOUTH KOREA
South Korea has one of the world’s best education systems. SKY is an acronym for the top three most reputable universities in South Korea, consisting of Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University respectively. If you’re heading over to Korea for exchange, you're really in for a good treat!
Source: Wikipedia
WHAT DO SOUTH KOREANS SPEAK?
what do south koreans speak?
Korean is the official language in South Korea and is used by most of the population of people living on the Korean peninsula. But fret not, most people below the age of 40 are able to use English to converse too. Due to the influence for neighbouring countries, almost 1.2 million residents can also speak mandarin. (Statistics could be found on Graphic Maps)
With a strong hierarchical culture in Korea, they speak two forms of Korean language: formal and informal language. This may seem very weird for Westerners but Koreans tends to interchange between formal and informal Korean language, depending on who they are speaking to. Formal languages are used for those that are older or more senior in terms of job level and informal languages are used for those that are younger or more junior in terms of job level.
If you’re interested in learning some Korean phrases to tide you through your exchange programme in Korea, here’s a Youtube Channel that specialises in teaching Korean for day-to-day conversations.
here are some common phrases:
Source: The Arrival Store
WEATHER IN south korea
Similar to most European and American countries, South Korea has four seasons! So fret not, you will never get bored of dressing up for different seasons. Here’s a chart of when the four seasons happen in South Korea:
Source: Visit Korea
PLACES OF INTEREST
1. N-Seoul Tower
N-Seoul tower is definitely the symbolic tourist attraction in South Korea as you can catch a glimpse of the most breathtaking views of Seoul here. Fun fact: N-Seoul Tower consist of the transmission antennas of the biggest broadcasting stations in South Korea! The observatory includes a 360 degrees panoramic view of Seoul at a glance.
Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday, Sunday: 10:00 - 23:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 24:00
Tickets: 10000 Won
Source: N-Seoul Tower
2. Common Ground
Over here, you can find tons of people trying to take their perfect #OOTD shots with the electric blue shipping containers. This is South Korea’s first pop-up store built with shipping containers. How cool is that! Furthermore, there are different types of shops available to shop there, as well as a weekend market that changes theme every week.
Address: 200 Achasan-ro, Jayang 4(sa)-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 1100AM - 0800PM (Sun-Sat)
Source: Common Ground
3. Everland
Everland is one of South Korea’s biggest theme park. No doubt, with a wide range of attractions, it has attracted many tourists and local residents here year after year. They are one of the few theme parks that consists of a wildlife zoo, as well as a water theme park! It is definitely one of the must-go attractions to check off your bucket list while you are in South Korea!
Address:
199 Everland-ro, Pogog-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Vary depending by day of week, do visit their official website to find out more.
Source: Everland
PLACES OF eat
1. Isaac Toast & Coffee
This is also known as the best Korean breakfast toast in Seoul and not many could resist the smell of piping hot Isaac toasts while passing by their shops. Not only is it delicious, it is also very affordable and filling for a breakfast portion!
Address:
Isaac Toast Myeongdong
105 Toegye-ro, Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Isaac Toast Hongdae
93, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04040, South Korea (opposite Hongik University entrance)
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 10:00pm (Sat – Sun)
Source: Isaac Toast
2. Kyochon Chicken 교촌치킨
Fried chicken is definitely something you have to eat when you’re in Korea! There are so many fried chicken restaurants around but Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun is definitely the real deal here! Voted as the best chicken restaurant by South Koreans for 13 years consecutively, Kyochon is the leader of the fried chicken industry and they are committed to delivering the best chicken to their customers.
Address:
Kyochon Chicken Gangnam Station
8, Gangnam-daero 69-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM (Sun - Sat)
Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun
294, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu | 2f, Seoul 03119, South Korea(Dongdaemun / Sindangdong)
Opening Hours: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM (Sun - Sat)
Source: Kyochon
3. Mukshidonna 먹쉬돈나
Known for its tteokbokki (traditional Korean rice cakes), Mukshidonna is a must-go place if you would like to immerse yourself in the full Korean food experience. They are also known for famous Korean dishes like army stew and Korean fried rice. The best thing about them: They serve huge portions at affordable prices! What are you waiting for?
Address:
Mukshidonna Samcheongdong
74-7, Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03061, South Korea
Opening Hours: 1100AM - 0800PM (Sun-Sat)
Source: Mukshidonna
4. Palsaik Samgyupsal
This is one of the best Korean BBQ and it is highly popular because of its distinct differentiation of offering 8 types of flavours of pork. The 8 types of flavours include ginseng, wine, pine leaves, garlic, herb, curry, miso paste, hot. How interesting is that!
Address:
Mapo-Gu, Seokyo-dong, 363-4 (서울시 마포구 서교동 363-4)
Opening Hours: 11am – 12am (last order : 11pm) - Daily
Source: Palsaik Samgyupsal
NIGHTLIFE IN south korea
If you are a night owl / party animal, South Korea is definitely the place for you! Despite being one of the most competitive work & study environments, South Koreans surprisingly know how to relax and play hard at the same time too. They have the most dynamic nightlife in Asia with many different activities to do at night!
Some rules that are good to know before embarking in this night owl life in Korea:
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19 Years Old
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Legal drinking age in South Korea
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Minimum age to smoke/ buy cigarettes
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Bring your IDs around
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There are very likely to be checks, especially if you’re heading to bars or clubs
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Strictly zero-tolerance on drugs
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Do note that if caught for possession with drugs, you could be deported or even sentenced up to five years in jail.
Bars
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South Koreans love drinking! They have different forms of shot soju challenges, also known as drinking games. Here are some shot soju challenges you can master first before heading to Korea for the real thing.
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Just head over to Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam areas at night, there will be a variety of bars all around those areas for you to drink all you want!
Clubs
South Korea has many reputable clubs all across their nightlife districts. Clubs play a big part in their dynamic nightlife where youngsters in their 20s & 30s dance all night round.
Do note that most of the clubs in Korea charge a cover fee of about 10,000 to 30,000 won.
Here are some of the most popular clubs in Seoul, arranged in the different nightlife districts:
GANGNAM
Octagon
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Also known as the best club in Asia, Octagon is currently the must-go club when you visit Korea. They are currently also ranked 7th globally on the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs chart.
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P.S: There are a handful of handsome guys and pretty girls who frequent Octagon, so keep a look out for them!
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Address: 645 Nonhyeon-ro, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Source: Octagon Seoul
ITAEWON
CakeShop
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Known to be the best club in Itaewon, you can find hip-hop or electronic music here in Cakeshop. Famous DJs also plays their sets here which makes it sardine-packed during weekends!
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Address: 34-16 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Source: Cakeshop Seoul
HONGDAE
NB2
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The most popular nightclub in Hongdae is none other than NB2. It is owned by YG Entertainment, which you should be very familiar by now if you are a KPOP fan. If you don’t know what YG Entertainment is, it is one of the biggest South Korean entertainment company that houses popular groups like 2NE1 and Big Bang. Judging from this, you can expect quality hip-hop music in there!
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Address: 361-10 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Source: NB2
Noraebang
Other than the partying life, Noraebang, also known as Karaoke, is especially popular among Koreans of all ages. The price usually ranges from 6,000 - 30,000 won, depending on the number of hours you choose.
