New Arrival Information
Be kind to yourself and have grace for yourself when you first arrive in South Korea.
When you arrive in South Korea, you may find yourself scrambling to acclimate. That's ok and that is normal. You are dealing with a new language, new culture, new customs, new foods, new co-workers, and often-times a new career. Culture shock is a very real and often painful experience. Taking the time to inform yourself about the world around you will couple perfectly with having grace for yourself and others.
Be kind to yourself and have grace for yourself when you first arrive in South Korea.South of Seoul volunteers empathize deeply with your struggle.
We have also struggled through that pain as well and our mission is to help minimize the struggle as much as possible. That's why South of Seoul volunteers put together this list of blogs that each shares something we wish we had known in the first three months of our arrival in South Korea. We recommend revisiting these blogs regularly over the first three months because each time you read them something new will stand out.Is there a blog you think we should have on this list?
Information you wish you had? Please leave a comment or message us at southofseoul@gmail.com and we will add it to our list of blogs to post.
-
Obtaining Your Personal Customs Code In-Person
Do you need to register for your personal customs code to order from overseas vendors while living in South Korea? Have you tried to obtain your personal customs code online and experienced difficulties? Do you live in Pyeongtaek? If that’s the case, then you have the option of going to the Pyeongtaek Customs Office in Pyeongtaek Port area to obtain the code in person. What is the Personal Customs Code? The Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC) is a 13-character alphanumeric identifier issued to individuals by the Korea Customs Service. It…
-
Parking Ticket Alerts in Pyeongtaek
Did you know that Pyeongtaek City offers Parking Ticket Alerts via text message for some parking violations? If you register for the Parking Ticket Alerts, you will get a text message (in Korean) from the Pyeongtaek Parking Authority saying something to the effect of, “Move your care in the next (number of minutes) to avoid a ticket.” Keep reading to learn more. The Pyeongtaek-si government website provides the following information regarding ticket alerts. Notifications for Certain Infractions The Parking Ticket Alerts occur for certain types of parking issues such as…
-
Get Comfortable in Pyeongtaek: Classes Starting Soon!
Do you live in Pyeongtaek? Would you like help learning more about the community? We recommend registering for a PIEF (Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation) Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses available in 2024. This year’s curriculum is all new and heavily focused on the Pyeongtaek area. Who Should Register We recommend the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses for anyone who moved to South Korea in the last 24 months. The courses will have information for new arrivals and international residents who want to add depth to their experience. It’s perfect for both SOFA-status…
-
About South Korean Health Care System, Health care self advocacy, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Resources, Physical & Mental Wellness, Public Health, US Military and Korean Health Care, Women's Health
Understanding Types of Mental Health Services in Korea
Psychiatry, therapy counseling, and life coaching are distinct yet often confused approaches to personal development and mental well-being. Navigating such distinctions among these terms and services can feel confusing if not frustrating, but you are not alone in that. To better understand these differences, we must grasp the fundamental definitions of each term. This blog post will provide a breakdown of each type of service (psychiatry, therapy, counseling, and life coaching) to enable you to understand and make informed decisions on your mental health options in Korea. Foreign Language Mental…
-
Overview of Renting in Pyeongtaek
Looking for a home in or near Pyeongtaek-si? Understanding your rental options in the area of Pyeontaek may feel frustrating due to the different types of rental systems, competitive market, language barrier, cultural differences, and so much more. In this article, we will dig deeper into the rental systems in Pyeongtaek. This will include how the US Military impacts renting in the area. My Lens on Renting in Pyeongtaek I moved to Pyeongtaek in 2011 on an E2 Visa. Contracts for E2 teachers often provide the option to accept employer-provided…
-
Managing Your Korean Credit Rating
If you plan to live in Korea for a long period, you may want to understand your Korean credit rating (Credit Score). Here are a few things you may need to know to put yourself in a good position to access credit like credit cards, car loans, or a house loan. About Credit Rating Systems Globally, credit rating systems vary significantly. You can’t expect any country’s credit system to work the same as yours. The systems might be based on different information, used for different types of transactions, and managed…
-
Expat Guide to Navigating Credit Cards in Korea
As an international resident, building a life in South Korea can feel complicated, especially managing finances. So let’s learn about getting a credit card in Korea. The personal experiences in the following blog post include E and F-visa holders in South Korea. Getting a Credit Card May Feel Scary Learning a new financial system while dealing with hidden aspects of culture and a new language may feel unfair and frustrating. The following blog post combines information sourced from 1) financial institutions and 2) lived human experiences. We hope the information…
-
The Reality of Student Work Permits in Korea
Can international students work in South Korea? The short answer is yes, but there are many different rules that you will need to navigate and each student’s situation is a little different. There is no such thing as one set of paperwork or a guaranteed outcome. Such ambiguity may leave international students feeling vulnerable and frustrated. It also may impact a student’s ability to focus on coursework. Therefore, let’s dig into the different factors that impact students’ ability to work on D-2 or D-4 visas in South Korea. Information Disclaimer…
-
International Students and Housing in Korea
Moving to South Korea to study? Let’s talk about the reality of housing and the expenses you may need to prepare for as an international student. Remember universities don’t usually cover student living expenses so international students must budget for setting up their new lives. Barriers to Student Housing International students in South Korea often struggle with finding housing. Understanding the many issues associated with finding student housing can help international students mentally prepare for how hard moving to a new country for school may feel. Language and Culture International…
-
Health Insurance Rules for International Students in Korea
Let’s talk about the Korean National Health Insurance requirements for international students studying in South Korea. It’s important to have a strong health safety net while you are studying and Korea and that includes health insurance. Thankfully, South Korea makes health insurance mandatory and affordable for many students. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content…
