Because of its favorable geographic location and proximity to China, South Korea has long been one of the popular study places chosen by international students. For the students who are going to study in Korea, what is worth paying attention to the life of studying in Korea? The following is a "small knowledge of life in South Korea to study abroad", which is only for reference, welcome to read this article.
Food Tips
About Food?
Korean diet is less oily, favoring sweet and spicy. Kimchi is an essential side dish on the Korean table. Koreans also can't live without hot sauce, which is used to flavor kimchi, barbecue, and seafood. Rice cakes, cold noodles, grilled meat, bibimbap, and ginseng chicken soup are also representative of Korean cuisine.
When you live in a school dormitory, it's usually a rule that you can't cook on your own. So most students eat in the dormitory cafeteria, or at Korean food restaurants near the school or dormitory. In addition to those who live in school dormitories, many students rent their own apartments in the later stages of their lives. Most of the rented rooms come with kitchens, so students can cook for themselves, enjoying Chinese food and reducing their living expenses. Ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and basic seasonings can be purchased at the supermarket. Special seasonings needed for Chinese food, such as hot pot base, Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, spices such as dashi, star anise, and peppercorns, squash, wontons, dumplings, and rolls, as well as mooncakes, duck necks, spicy hot pots, and spicy crawfish from various regions, can be purchased at Chinatowns. Currently, the most concentrated China streets in Seoul are near Daelim Station on Line 7 and near Konkuk University where Line 2 meets Line 7, but nowadays, there are Chinese supermarkets near universities with a large number of Chinese students. If you go there, you'll usually find a familiar flavor.
Shopping Tips
Clothes & Shopping?
Although it's cold in Korea in the winter, there is heating inside the house, not only in the school classrooms, but also in shopping malls, restaurants, subways, and buses, so it's only when you're walking on the road that you feel cold. Although I wear warm clothes when I go out, I usually wear a T-shirt and thin knitwear underneath my overcoat or cotton coat, so I feel hot indoors when I wear a thick sweater, which I often wear in China. Koreans pay a lot of attention to dress, and the cut and design of clothes are also rich in character and design. Hanbok is the popular clothing of the Korean Peninsula, and in modern times, it is the dress for important festivals and events. Students can dress for all seasons according to their favorite styles, but there is no need to buy a lot of new clothes. Korean clothes are also popular, and Korean clothes are inexpensive and come in all price ranges. Therefore, students only need to prepare 1-2 sets of their favorite clothes for each season. Korean students wear casual shoes, sneakers more, but the price of Korean sneakers casual shoes is not high, and often have discounts, very cost-effective.
Regarding formal wear, it should be noted that students are generally required to wear formal wear when enrolling in school, graduating, or interviewing for a job, but there are not many times when they wear formal wear, so students can still consider preparing a set of clothes to bring to South Korea from home, or buying them directly from South Korea when they need them. There are two options for purchasing clothing, one is to go to a shopping mall, such as Lotte, Hyundai, New World, etc. These department stores have well-known brands of clothing, and the prices are similar to those in China. The other is to go to a private clothing store to buy, these clothes will be the shopkeeper with more Korean style, the price will be cheaper than the mall brand clothing. Students often go to the Myeongdong, Eida Hongda neighborhood, and the more familiar Dongdaemun.
Introduction of shopping places
Myeongdong ? (Main items: clothing, accessories and shoes) ?
Myeong-dong, Seoul's most famous shopping spot, is not only a shopping complex of chain stores and department stores of world famous brands, but also a gathering place for various restaurants and hotels. Among the large shopping centers are Kozny, Utozone, etc.
Namdaemun Market ? (food, tableware, clothing, jewelry, glasses, cameras, shoes, etc.) ?
Namdaemun, the largest general market in Korea, is surrounded by Myeongdong and Namsan. Namdaemun has been a place for merchants since the Joseon Dynasty, 600 years ago, and because of its long history, it has a wide range of products. It is also a place for direct communication between manufacturers and consumers, so you can buy your favorite products at low prices. Note: Many stores are closed on Sundays for Korean traditional holidays and summer vacations. Dongdaemun Market ? (Clothing, food, shoes and sports, Insa-dong: Korea's traditional shopping souvenirs traditional crafts and fine arts) ? Insadong is the best place to experience Korea's traditional culture. It is a place where you can experience the old culture of Korea with its traditional teahouses, restaurants, galleries, and historical monuments. In addition, it is a representative tourist attraction with a contemporary feel and the essence of the old culture, while maintaining the tradition and combining it with the modernity. In addition, there are various art exhibitions such as exhibitions of traditional crafts and works of art, as well as sales of artists' works.
Housing
Renting/Housing?
Housing in Korea is divided into two categories: school dormitories and off-campus rentals
School Dormitories?
1, Seoul area may be a little difficult to apply for the dormitory, other areas of the school dormitory is generally better to apply. Duration of stay: generally corresponds to the length of the semester. Cost: 90-120,000 won a semester (no additional payment for electricity, water, heating, etc.) Advantages: minimal dormitory deposit, usually refunded when you check out of the dormitory. Dormitory environment is good; there is access control to ensure the safety of students. Disadvantages: You need to apply separately for vacation accommodation; you may not be able to apply for the same dormitory every semester, so you may have to move rooms every semester; you can't cook your own food.
Renting off-campus?
There are three general types of off-campus rentals:?
1. Shimoyuku (?) In "Please Answer 1994", Shimokujuku life was filmed. You live in the house of the landlord and live with the landlord's family and other dormitory students, and the landlord provides one or two meals. Cost: KRW 300,000-600,000/month Advantages: Living with a Korean landlord gives you a more direct experience of Korean life and improves your speaking and listening skills. Disadvantages: There have been cases where the landlord interferes too much with the student's life, which is not comfortable.
2. Exam center ( / ) As the name suggests, this kind of accommodation used to be prepared for the examination of students in the house, although the room is small, but a variety of basic living furniture are available, the general examination center, toilet and bathroom is common. In recent years, there are also high-level examination centers that have their own toilets and bathrooms, and these are more popular among students. Examination centers generally have a large communal kitchen where eggs, rice, and seaweed are provided free of charge, and students can buy simple ingredients to make their own food. Cost: 350,000-600,000 KRW/month Advantages: own private room; small security deposit; ability to cook for yourself; flexible rental period, can stay for a few months or a few years. Disadvantages: Smaller rooms, not too airy.
3. Self-catering ( ) Self-catering is a small apartment in China, with a separate kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It is very cozy when students decorate it well. Cost: 350,000-600,000 won / month; deposit 5-20 million won. Advantages: privacy and freedom; you can cook your own meals, and it is more convenient for friends and relatives to visit Disadvantages: higher deposit; all utilities are paid by yourself; longer contract period, at least one year, usually 2-3 years contract period. Tips: If you don't apply for a dormitory, we recommend you to apply for a dormitory outside of the country where Qidian cooperates. There is no deposit, and there is a unified administrator who will help you if you have any difficulties in life. The first thing you need to do is to rent a room for yourself, because you need to give the landlord a large deposit, and you need to sign a rental contract with a real estate agent, so that you are legally protected.
Transportation
In Korea, the most common transportation methods are subway and bus. In Seoul, you can use the Korea Transportation Card for both the subway and bus. There are many types of Korean transportation cards, the most common of which are the card type, cell phone pendant type and cell phone card built-in three, depending on the style, pattern, texture, the price is generally between 2,000-1,000,000 won. Transportation cards are valid for buses and subways, and can be topped up manually or at automatic machines at subway stations. Students can buy a T-Money transportation card at the convenience store at the airport as soon as they enter the country and recharge it for discounted rides.
Public transportation ?
Fares start at 1300 won (1200 won with a transit card); cash can be used, but it's a bit of a hassle to get change.
Subway
From KRW 1,350 (KRW 1,250 with a transit card)
Taxi ?
From 3,000 won (except for model cabs)
Train ? By Mileage
Long Distance Buses By Mileage Speed
Bicycle
Guide to Public **** Transportation
1. Transfers between the subway and buses are free of charge for up to 90 minutes. 2. Swipe your card when you get on the bus, and then you need to swipe your transportation card when you get off the bus. 3. There are caring seats on both the subway and buses. Even if there are no elderly people sitting in the caring seats on the subway, young people will consciously leave them empty and try not to sit there. If there are no elderly people in need of care, young people will leave their seats empty and try not to sit on them. 4. Some long-distance buses have student tickets, so you will need to show your student ID when purchasing them. 5. Trains do not check tickets when entering the station, but there are occasional checks on the train, so you will need to purchase your own ticket. 6. You can install the "Naver Map of Korea" app on your cell phone. "
The train is a very convenient way to search for information about the surrounding area.
Communication and Medical Insurance
Cell phones in Korea are generally postpaid, and can be done after obtaining a login card. Students who are underage can purchase a prepaid cell phone card.
Insurance
Korea requires international students to purchase international student insurance, which includes basic medical outpatient expense reimbursement (non-emergency accidental medical care) and accident insurance. The insurance can be purchased at home before you enter the country, or when you pay the tuition fee according to the instructions of the school, or some schools can purchase the insurance at the entrance briefing.
Medical services
Korea has a well-developed medical service, from small specialized clinics to large university hospitals, with good service, and some universities have specialized medical staff for foreigners.