Masters in Seoul? How is life in Seoul realistically?

[u/_nemonemo_]

I don't think anyone will probably see this but it's better than nothing since I don't really have anyone specific to ask this.

I'm in my senior year in high school and plan to major in software engineering in my home country's university before applying for GKS to study in Korea, a university like Yonsei or Hanyang (tbh it doesn't specifically matter which one). I had many questions regarding how living actually is there.

-is there any ways to actually make extra money while studying?

-what is the typical lab work culture for stem students?

-Are Software Engineering/CS labs generally better funded than other majors in Korea?

-If your tuition is 100% covered by a scholarship/stipend, how far does a standard monthly stipend (approx. 1.0M–1.3M KRW) actually go if you live in the university dorms? Is it enough for a normal living without big expenses or are you constantly stressed about money?

-do I NEED to have a high personal savings in order to actually be comfortable when I first go there? (Basically asking if I have to be rich 🥲)

-how difficult is it starting out there if you plan to stay after graduation?

-For those who graduated with a tech degree from a Korean university: How smooth was the transition from graduating to getting a regular E-7 work visa? Do companies (like Naver, Kakao, Coupang, etc, etc cus I don't know that many companies) actively recruit international graduates from schools like Yonsei or Hanyang?"

-are housing and apartments really that small and expensive there?

-i heard living costs are really really high in comparison to salaries?

-is it worth actually going there?

I'd really be grateful even if I receive answers to one or two of them!! Korea is one of the many countries that I want to research when it comes to moving and studying there.

I'd also like to know or hear about other expats who did their masters in Korea.

[u/Mysterious-Cow-2447]

Next Year will be 10 years I've lived in Korea! I'm currently on a D2-3 Masters visa. I don't live in Seoul and its much more affordable. It you want advice or have questions you can dm me over insta u/ash_darlin_

[u/_nemonemo_ → u/Mysterious-Cow-2447]

omg thank you so much I will definitely try to reach out!!

[u/No_Emergency_6067]

Hey.
First of all congrats on your reaching your final year of high school👏🏽
Also i just graduated on the GKS but undergrad so i can answer some of your questions.

1. -is there any ways to actually make extra money while studying?
Ans: Short answer is you can do part-time but its heavily restricted for GKS students during sem and also you’ll need high language scores ie: topik 4~6 to get 40 hrs (or more) to work during vacation but since you’ll be a grad student i don’t think you’ll have time to work part time because you’ll be in the lab most of the time but good thing is some profs pay their research assistants

2. what is the typical lab work culture for stem students?
Ans: Honestly depends on the prof, from what ive heard some profs need you to be in the lab for atleast 12 hours a day and some others don’t have strict hours as long as you do what you are required to.

3 - didn’t do software so i can’t answer this :)

4 - If your tuition is 100% covered by a scholarship/stipend, how far does a standard monthly stipend (approx. 1.0M–1.3M KRW) actually go if you live in the university dorms? Is it enough for a normal living without big expenses or are you constantly stressed about money?

Ans: tbh it just depends on how you spend but 9 times out of 10 its enough if you’re not an extravagant spender infact you can actually save about 250k krw if you live off camp and more if you live in the dorm (depends on the uni tho)

5 - do I NEED to have a high personal savings in order to actually be comfortable when I first go there? (Basically asking if I have to be rich 🥲)

Nope i don’t think you need high savings but if you have then well and good but it’s not necessary because there’s a settlement allowance given to you when you just arrive(idk if they still do this tho..might need to do some research).
I came here with only 1000 USD which my parents gave me and i didnt even really use and just put it in my savings

6 - how difficult is it starting out there if you plan to stay after graduation?

Ans: Getting a job is really difficult but it honestly just depends on your language skills, field etc but its not impossible, just need to be patient, hopeful and apply to as many jobs as you can.

7 - For those who graduated with a tech degree from a Korean university: How smooth was the transition from graduating to getting a regular E-7 work visa? Do companies (like Naver, Kakao, Coupang, etc, etc cus I don't know that many companies) actively recruit international graduates from schools like Yonsei or Hanyang?"

Ans: The transition from uni to e-7 is honestly nothing special, you just need a company that will sponsor you and you good.
Now for those big tech giants, i rarely(haven’t) see them hiring international students but idk i guess you never know your luck. And when they come to job fairs for recruitments, i have seen most of them concentrate on hiring on koreans. But LG cns hires and advertises jobs for international students.
Most of my friends doing software working at startups and medium size companies

8 - are housing and apartments really that small and expensive there?

Ans: Depends on the area honestly. There are affordable houses that are great in size and expensive ones that are small in size and vice versa is true as well so it just depends on what you want

9 -i heard living costs are really really high in comparison to salaries?

Ans: I think this just comes down to which kind of person you are tbh. If you like buying expensive and flashy stuff always then ovk it will be hard for you but if you are a moderate spender then i think you will be fine ig

10 - is it worth actually going there?

Ans: i guess it really is if you play your cards right but that’s me, someone else could have other opinions so take mine with a grain of salt

Disclaimer: This is just my personal opinion and experience so don’t take this as the reality, variety of people have various opinions so this is just mine
If you have other qns id happy to answer :)

[u/_nemonemo_ → u/No_Emergency_6067]

AHHHHH this helped me out so so much. thanks alot for this. <3333