The successful PIEF Pyeongtaek Living 101 Courses are back and better than ever in 2025! This year brings new speakers, children’s safety-focused workshops for kids 3-10, a new Pyeongtaek-si Integration Handbook, and finalized workbooks filled with information and activities. Learn more below and register sooner rather than later! Our programs will make life easier and more fun.
About Living in Korea
We know that living in Korea is a wild ride for international residents. How does one learn the hidden knowledge that makes life easier when you don’t know what questions to ask? That’s why the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation built the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Program, comprising of workshop and lecture courses. The Lectures and Workshops exist as part of a support system for international residents in our community and are designed to help you feel empowered, informed, and connected.
We’re not talking about tourist tips. Our curriculum is about the details that make real life in Pyeongtaek-si more dynamic, successful, and fun. We share the information that allows you to source groceries, schools, apps, errands, social circles, and that daily stuff that makes you feel at home in a place. (Of course, the tools we teach can also help you find amazing things to do on holiday.)
Also, the Pyeongtaek Living Program works. In 2024, over three times more people signed up than the year before, and it just keeps growing because people feel the results. In fact, 100% of attendee survey respondents said they’d recommend it to a friend. Now it’s your turn to feel those results!
A Holistic Program for the Whole Family
The 2025 Pyeongtaek Living 101 Program serves the whole family. We have planned important activities for the adults AND kids. We learned from last year’s events and found that the whole family needed support to feel more comfortable in Pyeongtaek-si. Therefore, we decided to offer more than just adult support and childcare. Instead, we are offering workshops and lectures for ALL AGES! The whole family can learn more about their new home.
Here’s how it all works:
Adult Lecture Course: Learn the Systems (4 days)
This 4-part series is perfect for anyone who wants to better understand how Korea works—from setting up online shopping accounts to navigating trash rules and making community connections.
You’ll learn:
- Residency Lectures: Foundational information regarding government systems so you understand banking, reservation systems, online shopping, government support, medical systems, and more.
- Pyeongtaek-si Lectures: Provides insight into Pyeongtaek-si and how to navigate trash, parking, city events, and more
- Home and Living Lecture: A deep dive into managing your daily life in Pyeongtaek-si .
- Building Community and Friendships Lecture: A focus on various communities you can connect with across Pyeongtaek-si.
These topics might sound boring, but the Lecture Courses can reduce your sense of daily frustration and culture shock dramatically. Attend all 4 lectures, and you’ll earn your Pyeongtaek Living 101 Certificate of Completion.
Adult Workshop Course: Practice the Skills (4 days)
If the lectures give you the what, the workshops give you the how. These small-group sessions are interactive, hands-on, and packed with practical tools.
You’ll get help:
- Finding Korean search terms that actually work
- Building a life around one convenient neighborhood hub
- Planning a year in Korea that matches your values and goals
- Learning where to go, what to say, and how to get it done
We laugh, we snack, we take group selfies, and we leave feeling a whole lot more confident.
KIDZ Workshop Series 1: Language, Safety & Community (4 days)
While adults are in their sessions, kids ages 3–11 can join their own interactive classes. The first KIDZ series focuses on:
- Korean greetings and basic phrases
- How to ask for help and stay safe
- Making new friends and understanding social rules
- Fun games that teach teamwork and language naturally
We keep things moving with crafts, stories, and plenty of playtime.
KIDZ Workshop Series 2: Exploring Life in Pyeongtaek (4 days)
Our second kids’ workshop series goes beyond the basics and helps children start to live in Korea, not just visit.
Kids will learn:
- Pyeongtaek Places
- Pyeongtaek Transit
- Kids’ Culture
- Local Snacks
Grocery Snack Break
The opportunity to try a wide variety of new grocery products is one of the favorite parts of the Workshops and Lectures. We taste-test different kinds of ready-made meals and snacks so that you can find affordable and delicious ways to feed your family. Even picky eaters and shy learners should have fun in these sessions. It’s all about making new experiences feel exciting, not scary.
During the snack break, our staff and volunteers can also help you learn how to read the food labels and share their favorite food recommendations with you as well.
Completion Certificate
Participants who complete the Pyeongtaek Living 101 Lecture or Workshop Courses receive an official Completion Certificate that comes with special benefits. Certificate holders get early access to register for upcoming classes, tours, and special events. They are also invited to exclusive gatherings for past participants and receive ongoing support from our volunteer partners in South of Seoul. This extra support helps them stay connected and continue building a stronger, easier life in Pyeongtaek-si.
Limited Opportunities for Free Courses
Our workshops and lectures only happen a few times a year, so don’t miss your chance. These workshops and lectures are offered in Paengseong and/or Songtan in the spring, summer, and fall. Follow The Pyeongtaek Living 101 Facebook Page to register for the next courses. Attend a few or join the full course path and earn your Completion Certificate. Either way, you’ll feel more prepared, more included, and way less stressed.
Created by People Who’ve Been There
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all government seminar. It’s a grassroots, community-powered program that’s funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, designed for the City of Pyeongtaek, hosted by the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF), and in collaboration with our team at South of Seoul. Our curriculum is built and taught by others who have also been confused and overwhelmed when they moved to Pyeongtaek-si. And now, they are turning everything they learned into something that helps you and your family thrive.
Come join us. Let’s build this life in Korea together.
Stay updated by following:
facebook.com/PyeongtaekLiving101
Pyeongtak Living 101 is a PIEF (Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation) Program that supports international residents living in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The program provides classes, workshops, and information to make integration into Korean life smoother.
The Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF), established in 2014, is a key organization in promoting global exchange and fostering international relations in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. PIEF’s mission centers around enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation, especially with the United States Forces Korea (USFK), local foreign residents, and citizens of Pyeongtaek, with the goal of becoming a globally recognized city.
PIEF operates three main centers: the Paengseong International Community Center, Songtan International Community Center, and the Pyeongtaek English Education Center. These centers provide various services, such as language education, cultural programs, and support services for foreign residents. The foundation focuses on strengthening the ROK-US alliance through community-building events, cultural festivals, and educational programs that aim to integrate both locals and international residents. Additionally, PIEF facilitates programs to support foreign residents in Pyeongtaek by providing interpretation, legal and immigration counseling, and other resources to help them settle in Korea.
By organizing diverse programs, such as the Global Supporters and Global Citizenship Fostering initiatives, PIEF actively promotes cultural exchange and global citizenship among Pyeongtaek’s residents. The foundation also seeks to enhance the city’s global reach through collaborations with other cities worldwide and through public diplomacy initiatives, aiming to position Pyeongtaek as a leading international city in Korea.
