International Student Welcome Packet
South of Seoul volunteers would like to welcome you to South Korea. Deciding to move to Korea as a student may bring both a mix of joy, excitement, fear, and sadness. Some of our volunteers have also studied in Korea and relate to the stress and struggle to find the right information at the right time.
What types of students study in South Korea?
As an international student in South Korea, you may meet other students studying in:- International high schools
- Bachelor's programs
- Master's programs
- Doctorate's programs
- Certificate programs
Does everyone have the same experience in Korea?
Each international student experiences life in Korea from their own social/cultural lens. Such lenses may be based on their country of origin, health care needs, culture, race, Korean language ability, location, and so much more. This means that each educator may experience Korean life in different ways unique to them. South of Seoul volunteers seek to provide information that can be easily emotionally accessed and viewed through a variety of social/cultural lenses. We do this in order to support the international student community with empathetic and equitable information.What’s in a Virtual Welcome Packet?
South of Seoul volunteers compiled a Student Virtual Welcome Packet to help with this transition. Such a virtual welcome packet for international students includes information regarding commonly asked questions or shared experiences:- Health Care
- Visa compliance
- Housing
- Hobbies
- Community building
- Mental health support
- Types of educational programs available
- University information
Where does this welcome packet information come from?
South of Seoul volunteers compile lists of commonly asked questions from a cross-section of ex-pat-focused Facebook Groups and personal interviews. We then review the information available online and contact the appropriate government agencies to confirm, clarify, and verify the information. After researching the information, we create blogs that address the information needed in the educational community. That said, South Korea uses an agile government model which means information may change quickly and with minimal notice. Always confirm and cross-reference information between sources.Will I read this information once and have the best life in Korea ever?
Absolutely not. As previously mentioned, each international student brings their own social/cultural lens. Such lenses may impact such things as 1) the perception of information included in blog articles, 2) the meaning of interactions and experiences in daily life, and 3) perceptions of how information, interactions, and experience relate in life. South of Seoul volunteers HIGHLY recommend reading each of these blog articles more than once over time. Such articles provide readers with a great deal of insight which it might take time to relate to. For example, read the SOS blogs before arriving in Korea and then a month after arriving in Korea. Different information will become important during those times.I read all the blogs but I still have questions!
If you have ideas for blogs that need to be added to this list, feel free to let us know in the comments or message us at southofseoul@gmail.com.Where can I find all of South of Seoul’s information?
Download the South of Seoul app! We have designed an app specifically for international residents living in South Korea with a focus on Pyeongtaek and the surrounding areas. After you read these blogs the app will take your life to the next level. Click on the Google Play or App Store icons.
International Student Welcome Packet Articles
Trust us, international students need the information in the following blogs.-
ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, New Arrival Information, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
Pyeongtaek Living 101: Workshops Recap
Here’s a blog recap for the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Workshops for 2024! We hosted 3 sessions of the Pyeongtaek Living Workshops, each session included 4 different workshop topics over the span of two weeks. Here is how they went. Pyeongtaek Living 101 Workshops Recap The Pyeongtaek Living 101 Workshops were a fantastic opportunity for our community to dive deeper into practical topics essential for navigating life in Pyeongtaek. As a follow-up to the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Course, the workshops focused on hands-on, interactive sessions where participants gained valuable insights into…
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Best Phone Apps in Korea, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
Naver Maps V. Google Maps in Korea
Feeling pressured to use Naver Maps (네이버 지도) instead of Google Maps while living in or visiting South Korea? Many valid reasons exist for this pressure. Time to explore the differences between these two map systems that provide different levels of access to information in Korea. Culture Shock Around Map Apps in Korea During our research in satisfaction with integration into South Korean life, we found technology important. For example, we found that a low adaptation to technology may negatively impact life satisfaction. Conversely, those who reported a high level…
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About Pyeongtaek-si, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, Living in Pyeongtaek-si, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
Pyeongtaek Living 101 Online Course: Integrating in Life in Korea
Want to arrive in Korea ahead of the game? Take the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Course before you arrive and then sign up for workshops once you are here. It’s a great way to make the most of your time living in South Korea. Keep reading to learn more about the online course for integration in Korea. Don’t Wait To Get Started: Everyone Welcome Are you planning to move to Pyeongtaek-si, South Korea, or have you recently arrived? The Pyeongtaek Living 101 online course is your key to a smooth and…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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International Student Visa Guide for Korea
Interested in studying in South Korea but you don’t know your visa options? This is the perfect place to start. This visa guide for international students will help you better understand your options. About Studying in South Korea South Korean universities continue to expand their programs for international students who wish to study in the country. Such a drive to attract foreign students means that South Korea offers a few ways to become an international student. In this post, we will look at information for two groups of people: 1)…
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The Dirt on Applying for Korean D2 Visas
Korean student visas, D2 Visa, Studying in Korea
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Intro to the International Student Virtual Welcome Packet
Would you like to know more about being an international student in South Korea and how this Virtual Welcome Packet can help? What types of students study in South Korea? As an international student in South Korea, you may meet other students studying in: Since international students choose to study in Korea due to different reasons, information in this International Student Welcome Packet may apply to different levels of education or different visa types. Does everyone have the same experience in Korea? Each international student experiences life in Korea from…
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Culture & Community, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, Fun & Entertainment, International Student Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
Hobbies for Making Friends in Korea
Recently we posted Tips for Making Friends in Korea and we mentioned embracing your hobbies. Of course, that’s easier said than done. You’ve moved to a new country and language limitations may make accessing your hobby difficult. I want to help make it easier by connecting you with groups in Korea where you can search for connections. About the Following Hobby List Koreans absolutely love indulging in hobbies. The country is filled with clubs, academies, and groups for just about any hobby you can think of. Additionally, if you join…
