Don’t come to Korea if you…

Zhibek Azamat 27′ is Business Analytics and Marketing double major currently studying at Seoul National University for Fall 2024!

Now that I have shared some culture shock moments I have experienced, I would like to share some tips and tricks that one might find useful while preparing to visit Seoul. This is a compilation of apps that should be downloaded before you arrive in Korea. It also includes a couple of recommendations for a smoother transition from one country to another!

Do not come to Korea expecting to use Google Maps! While generally, Google Maps will be accessible within majorstreets, the majority here uses two map apps: Naver Map and Kakao Map. I prefer the Naver map as it shows multiple ways to get from one station to another allowing the user to choose the most convenient path. Unlike Naver map, Google Maps sometimes might not show the bunch of small cafes and restaurants in the area. The app even tells the estimated time of arrival for the closest bus or metro which is very useful when it comes to planning the commute time. Seoul is a large city and getting from one neighborhood to another sometimes takes up to an hour and a couple of minutes. Kakao Map on the other hand comes in handy while on SNU’s campus. The university has quite a complicated campus structure since it is located on the hills, so the building might have multiple entrances with similar room numbers yet still be considered a completely separate building.

Do not come to Korea with a debit/credit card that has an international fee. Although, card transactions go smoothly here, make sure the card does not have an international fee as it might be too costly to pay an extra couple of bucks throughout the day. It might sound like a small commission, however, it definitely adds up at the end of the month, especially, at the crafter’s fairs, farmers’ markets, or Airbnb rental apps. Thus it is smart to make sure with your bank issuer how much the fees are overseas and if they can offer you better options. Also, every time I use bank ATMs to withdraw cash, there is a 3600 Won fee, something to keep in mind as cash is a necessity when paying the rent, trying out local street markets, paying for a T-money card, and other small purchases. 

Do not come to Korea not knowing simple phrases in Korean! Every Drexel student is required to take a Korean 101 class before arriving in Seoul, so do not treat it as just another class you would have to pass. Knowing some basic phrases like “I don’t speak Korean” or simple conversation when ordering food is crucial as it will make your life here so much easier. Practice your Korean every day for at least 10-15 minutes by watching some videos on YouTube, and working on pronunciation and listening skills. Watching K-dramas may help as well, though I recommend using active listening skills for it and writing down the words with the translation. My Korean is barely at the beginner level which made me a little overwhelmed when I saw all the billboards and tags in Korean, some food ordering kiosks not having English versions, etc. 

Do not come to Korea without downloading Klook and Papago. Korea has a lot to offer from tea ceremonies to outdoor activities available for foreigners. Klook is the app that compiles the majority of the activities both free and paid whichallows the users to filter out the events by the price, dates, popularity, and type of activity. One major benefit you can get is discounted prices for the activities on Klook, and by writing reviews or creating a post you can even get free admission to paid events as well! Papago on the other hand is the savior app for those like me who know Korean at the level of the alphabet and a couple of greetings words. This is the translation app that is more accurate than Google Translate as it was created specifically for the translation of languages like Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The app allows you to take pictures and get the translation right away. 

Finally, do not come to Korea with a closed mind. There are a lot of “bizarre” things that might shock you or simply stress you out. Couple culture, spicy food, not very inclusive food options, sorting out trash and so many more things that stem from Korean culture and history, locals’ life habits, and the dense population of an urban city like Seoul. However, with time after living in denial and constant comparison that anywhere else it would have been better, one gets used to it and all one needs is to have an open mind to a new culture that is so different from what you are used to. Think of it as a maze or a puzzle with thousands of pieces. At first, it might seem way too hard and overwhelming but only by putting each piece together, you get to enjoy the process and finally see the bigger picture. Just remember that the grass will always be greener on the other side yet you should not let those fears restrain your perception of a country. Studying abroad is an amazing time to learn about a new culture well beyond the pretty picture on the Internet.