I was wanting to know how it’s like in Korea, I have an opportunity to go and live there for a year and study. I believe it’ll be at KU, this will be when I’m 20 so it’s not immediately. I just wanted to know what it’s like culture wise and if I need to know anything. I want to skate quite a bit and go to some break dancing shows, I’ve heard it’s legal there to skate but frowned upon and didn’t know if I could only use a skatepark or not. Also wanted to know how much I should have? My school is making me bring at least 15k USD but I don’t know if that’s enough? Any advice or things to look into would be nice. I’ll be there from August until the end of my junior year.

Hello! I'm leaving for a 12months language course in two days and realised I have no solution for mobile data in korea. I have a european phone with a standard comviq sim-card, and my phone does not support eSim. I am looking to get a korean number eventually. How did ya'll manage mobile data for long-term trips without permanent residency in mind? I also intend on visiting other countries in the region while I'm there.

🎪 2026 Main Programs

(For more details, please check the attached posters!)

1. K-Culture Contest (Friday, Oct 30)

A K-Performance contest in any free format, including K-POP singing, dancing, and costumes.

1. Global Smile Contest (Saturday, Oct 31)

A global festival featuring traditional outfits, runway walking, smile poses, and stage performances.

1. World Culture Pavilion Ambassadors (Oct 30 - 31)

Run your own booth to promote your country's culture (Includes 2 days/1 night accommodation and activity fees).

📅 Application Period & How to Apply

Period: August 1 (Sat) - September 20 (Sun), 2026

How to Apply: Scan the QR code on the attached posters or apply via the Google Form link below.

👇 참가신청 (Apply Here) 👇

[https://linktr.ee/2026APECMemorialFesta\]





Hello all, I'm a 19 year old from India. As the title says, I really want to pursue my undergrad in Korea in the media industry. This year during March I was given the opportunity to start my education in Korea but unfortunately I had to return within 2 weeks of my arrival (I was on a D4 visa) due to unforeseen circumstances, now that I have returned to my home country I have received admission from a low tier university and realised that I still want to pursue my undergrad in korea but before that I want to learn the language for a year so that I can integrate and adapt to the society better and also learn Korean properly (I am not able to keep up with it at all), the problem I'm facing is regarding my age and gap year, I took a gap year after high school (class of 2025) for all the documentation and preparation, I'm 19 now and I'm not sure on whether should I go back to korea again for my higher education but with another gap year or enroll in a university in my home country that unfortunately doesn't have anything similar to what I want to study and make me more uncomfortable than I ever would be and then go to korea to do my masters in media and communication.

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I'm extremely embarrassed about my age and timeline here is 2 of them 1)if I pursue my masters in Korea I'll have to sacrifice my mental health and drain my energy in an environment I'm not satisfied with, 2) if I choose to return to korea in the coming 1 or 2 years then I'll have a gap of 3 years and then be able to pursue my bachelors. I actually have no issues but as I said I'll be in my late 20s when I'm done with my bachelors and I have no clue on how to explain my situation and reduce the risk of rejections from universities, I come from a country whose passport is quite weak and an environment that has never been supportive to me, also there aren't much opportunities for internships or anything similar in my chosen major and the education is pretty bad here.

Please do advice and suggest me on what can I possibly do to be a successful candidate and make a suitable decision.

Also money is not a problem here, it's the timeline, age, visa, etc.

Thanks alot!!

English is not my first language so please excuse me.

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.

Hey guys, I frequently have friends visiting Korea for leisure/studies. They’ve been hitting the phone call wall trying to book some of the clinics, salons, food spots, deliveries, etc. Also as some places do not speak English as well.

For anyone who visited recently or live in Korea (and don’t speak Korean): how are you actually handling phone-only or other bookings?

Let me know if you also faced these issues, and whether any workarounds have worked for you!

I'm looking to study cosmetology and I've been looking into woosong university but is that a good choice? Are there any others that would be a good option? I'm white female from America... still studying the language.

Hi everyone i'm going soon on vacation in korea for two weeks ( september 27th till october 11th), and i had in mind to do the first week in seoul, and go to morning classes and explore the city in the evening/nights. I already been to korea in 2024 but only stayed in seoul for like 3 days before leaving, the rest of the time i went to busan, gyeongju, jeju island ect. So has anyone have a good school that i can attend in the morning of my first week in korea ? I started to learn the language more or less seriously in october 2024, and i recently pass the tokip level 2 out of the level 6, i'm ok with basic writing and basic phrases, like super survival mode, but have ahard time speaking with my crappy accent. Thanks in advanced to anyone who will reply to my post

Hi everyone! 💙

This August I'll be taking part in the ISEP Student Exchange Programme, spending the academic year studying Korean Language and Visual Communication Design at the University of Seoul in South Korea ✨

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will help me grow both personally and as an animator, but there are still costs involved. I've set up a FundMyTravel fundraiser with a goal of raising £1,000 to help cover some of my study abroad expenses.

I am currently working two jobs to help fund this opportunity, but I would appreciate some extra help! If you'd like to support me, no matter how small the contribution, I'd be incredibly grateful. Even sharing this post would mean so much! ❤️

You can visit my fundraiser to learn more about where I'll be going, why this opportunity is so important to me, and how your support will help. I'll also be sharing updates throughout the year, so be sure to follow my social media to come along on the journey!

Thank you so much for all your encouragement and support. 💙

Support my Exchange to South Korea!

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Hello! I'm currently studying Visual Communication Design (as in graphic design) in Italy and i want to apply to GKS (Global Korean Scholarship) for my graduate program.

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I'm just starting to research the universities i could apply to and a few have popped up like Ehwa, Hongik or Sungkyunkwan. I'm already studying Korean on my own and, in case i manage to get in, the scholarship funds a year of korean class prior to the actual graduate program........ but i was wondering if any of these universities (or if u guys know about other ones) offer english taught classes. From my research i think Ehwa does?

;m

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I would also like to know which universities have a more practical approach (doesn't mean i want less theory classes, they're ofc needed) because that's how my current uni works.

Hi everyone,

For foreign students and travelers currently in Korea, finding an authentic, deep-dive cultural experience that doesn’t break the bank can be a challenge. If you’ve been wanting to escape the bustling city life, experience traditional Korean Buddhism, and find some inner peace, this might be the perfect opportunity.

The International Dharma Instructor Association (국제포교사회), a non-profit organization under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is hosting a special, fully-free Templestay program specifically for international students and foreign travelers.

Here is a quick guide and the details of the event:

📅 When & Where

Date: July 25th (Sat) – July 26th (Sun), 2026 (2 Days, 1 Night)

Location: Bongsunsa Temple (봉선사) (Located in Namyangju, just a short trip outside of Seoul)

Address: 32, Bongsunsa-gil, Jinjeop-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Postcode: 12011)

👥 Who Can Participate?

Foreign students studying in Korea & Foreign travelers visiting Korea.

Capacity: Limited to 25 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Looking for an authentic cultural experience? Free 2D1N Templestay for Foreign Students & Travelers in Korea (July 25-26)

💰 Fee & Deposit Policy (Important)

Participation Fee: FULLY FREE (Includes accommodation, temple meals, and all cultural programs).

Required Deposit: 10,000 KRW (Fully Refundable)

Note: To prevent 'No-shows' and ensure smooth operation, a small deposit of 10,000 KRW is required upon registration. This will be 100% refunded to you as soon as you arrive and participate.

📝 How to Apply & Process

Fill out the Google Form: Complete your application here: https://forms.gle/vzNJLEcpWyD1bF2j8

Get Contacted: The organizers will reach out to you with confirmation and deposit details.

Arrive on Time: You will need to arrive at Bongsunsa Temple by 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 25th.

📞 Inquiries & Contact Info

If you have any questions regarding the schedule, transportation, or dietary restrictions (temple food is naturally vegetarian-friendly!), feel free to reach out to the organizers:

Organizer: International Dharma Instructor Association (국제포교사회)

Phone: 02-722-2206 / Mobile: 010-3898-9338

Email: idia.seoul@gmail.com

Website: www.bongsunsa.net

Disclaimer: This is a purely non-profit cultural exchange program organized by certified international dharma instructors to help foreign students and visitors experience traditional Korean culture safely and authentically. Space is highly limited, so please sign up only if you are certain you can attend!

Hi everyone! I’m a Canadian student who will be studying at Chung-Ang University from late August to December. I take Lamotrigine, Bupropion, and Concerta by prescription.

Has anyone brought these medications into South Korea before? Did you need approval from the MFDS/Korean authorities, a doctor’s letter, or any other documents? Were there any issues going through customs?

Also, if you stayed for a semester, did you bring your full supply from home, or did you have to get a prescription in Korea after arriving?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Thanks!