Karina: From Tourist to Student - A Story of Moving to South Korea

Karina in South Korea: A Story of Changing Plans

Karina, a young woman from Belarus, traveled to South Korea for three months to study the Korean language, but her stay was far from temporary. Korean, but her stay was far from temporary. Starting her journey as a tourist, she was was struck by the high costs of a short stay.

Unexpected twist

Instead of the planned short trip, Karina discovered that the money spent on the visa, tickets, and accommodation could cover her tuition at the prestigious Kyungbok University. She was passionate about the language and decided to start the application process, receiving valuable advice from a fellow countrywoman who had already studied in South Korea.

A simple and effective admission process

The process turned out to be quite simple: filling out the application, providing a diploma with an apostille, an invitation from the university, and a family income statement. "I was lucky that the response came quickly, and I was able to start my studies on time," says Karina. Her student visa D4 allows her to stay and study in the country.

Moving in and first impressions

Arriving in South Korea at the end of October, Karina was already in the classroom the next day. "The flight from Moscow took 8 hours, but the return trip will require layovers," she recalls. The Korean language courses are held every three months, which is perfect for planning the academic year.

Study of culture and communication

Life in South Korea for Karina is not just about studying. She enjoys socializing with new friends and immersing herself in the local culture. "The housing prices were shockingly high for me," she says. Nevertheless, she finds a balance between her expenses and the opportunities that this amazing region offers.

The future in South Korea

Karina has no plans to return to Belarus in the near future. "South Korea has become my home for an indefinite period of time," she says. Her story is a prime example of how a temporary travel decision can turn into a long-term stay in a fascinating country. travel can turn into a long-term stay in a fascinating country.

Thus, Karina continues her educational and life journey in South Korea, enjoying all its opportunities and discovering new horizons.

Housing for students in Korea

Once, I decided to immerse myself in studying the Korean language for three months, but my stay here turned into a three-year journey. Today, I am a student studying art and making a living working at a hotel between semesters.

Dormitories in Korea for students

My accommodation is in a university dormitory known as "kisuksa." I pay $150 a month for a room shared by three people. The room has a bunk bed, a regular bed, tables, chairs, a refrigerator, and a bathroom. There is a microwave and a water cooler on the floor, but the use of personal electrical appliances is prohibited.

Renting housing in Korea

In the capital of Korea, Seoul, housing rental is very expensive, so many students prefer to live outside the city. The price depends on the location, proximity to the subway, and the age of the building. Usually, rental contracts are signed for a year, sometimes for six months. Options range from modest rooms to stylish studios.

• Deposit for renting housing

In Korea, renting a home requires a deposit, which is returned at the end of the rental period. at the end of the rental period. The higher the deposit, the lower the rent. For example, for small rooms without windows ("koshewon"). the deposit is about $50 to $100, and the rent ranges from $300 to $400 per month.

• Vanrooms

“Vanrooms” are studio apartments without furniture, which you need to buy yourself. The cost of such rooms starts at $400 per month, and the deposit can reach $1000. Utilities may or may not be included in the rent.

Utility costs and daily life in housing

Utility services in Korea are not that expensive — about $50, and water costs around $10. Often, homes are equipped with heated floors since there is no central heating. Using an air conditioner can be an expensive luxury due to the high cost of electricity. For the first time, I saw electric mattresses here that help keep warm on cold nights.

In the dormitory where Carina lives, it is forbidden to use keys. In Wei apartments, there are usually the living room and kitchen are combined and there are two or three small rooms. Unusually, the apartments are built on the roofs of buildings. of buildings lined with greenery. Prices for such housing start from 550 dollars, plus additional fees.

Use of special cards and discounts

It can be noticed that in Korea, regular keys are not used - instead, special cards or code intercoms are employed. After 8 PM, stores often have discounts of up to 50%. Since the beginning of 2022, prices have significantly increased: milk now costs about a dollar per package and kefir is around 5 dollars per liter.

Purchase of fruits and vegetables 3

Fruits and vegetables are sold by the piece without the use of scales, which is different from the usual approach. For example, for six medium-sized bananas you will have to pay about 4 dollars.

In South Korea: Culinary Specialties and Places

In South Korea, you can find various places, like "bupae," where guests are offered a wide range of dishes without limits. These establishments delight visitors with different culinary styles, from Korean cuisine to pizza and fast food. You can enjoy a variety of flavors at relatively low prices. For example, two hours in a Korean café will cost around $8, while a pizza will be about $15. There's also an interesting rule here - if you don't finish your portion, you'll have to pay extra. An important system in the country is coupons, which can be used as gifts or for personal use.

Shops Without Salespeople and a Love for Meat

In addition, cashier-less stores have become popular in South Korea, featuring self-checkout kiosks and surveillance systems. Previously, prices in these stores were lower, but now they have become the same as in regular stores. Locals love meat, especially chicken and, of course, pizza. Among popular snacks, kimchi (fermented cabbage) and various soups should be mentioned. Small businesses are thriving, contributing to the diversity of street food. A well-known dish, tteokbokki, consists of mini rice cakes, and it costs around 3 dollars.

Transport and High Prices

As for transportation, South Korea uses special fare cards similar to bus passes. similar to bus passes. You can't buy an unlimited monthly pass; you have to top up the card with a certain amount of money and pay for each trip separately. and pay for each trip separately. A bus fare will be a little over a dollar, a subway fare a a dollar. There is an opportunity to transfer without a new payment, if you transfer from one bus to another within half an hour.

One of the disadvantages of living in this country, according to the lady, is the high prices, especially for medical care. The cost of health insurance, which needs to be paid every month, has increased over time.

Life in South Korea: Everything You Need to Know

South Korea is a country with a rich culture that has undergone many transformations over the past few decades. Life in this country can be unique for foreigners, but it can also be enjoyable and surprising for them.

Insurance in South Korea

There is a wide range of insurance services available in this country, with the exception of dental procedures, which are not included in the standard package. As a rule, the cost of medical services is partially reimbursed and patients have to pay about 50% of the total cost. However, potential tourists and immigrants need to be aware that medical fees can be high, except for the mentioned insurance cases.

Active lifestyle

South Koreans are known for their active lifestyle, with many of them engaging in sports and frequently visiting gyms. In addition, South Korea attracts people with its high level of safety, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals. The residents of the country are generally very open and willing to communicate, often greeting strangers even in ordinary situations. There is a strong curiosity about foreigners here, especially among the youth.

Convenience in life

In South Korea, convenience is a high priority, and Wi-Fi is almost always available, from buses to subways. However, the internet speed here may be lower than what tourists expect. The country also has many free public restrooms with separate areas for women, where they can freshen up their makeup. Although these restrooms are in high demand, locals generally appreciate this convenience.

Unique mentality

South Koreans have their own unique mentality, which can be unusual for tourists and immigrants. Distinctive habits, such as eating with loud sounds or wearing light clothing even in the winter with high humidity, may seem strange to natives of different countries. Additionally, visitors to the country are influenced by the exquisite atmosphere that encompasses a vibrant culture and progressive technologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, life in South Korea certainly has its advantages and disadvantages, but in most cases, it proves to be attractive to tourists and immigrants. The locals are known for their openness, sociability, and friendliness, and the country boasts a high level of safety and modern technology.

Conclusion:

I,KarinaHonestly, I didn't expect my trip to South Korea to unfold this way. The originally planned three months turned into three years of a rich life and studies here. My desire to learn the Korean language and culture led me to a new specialty and a job at a hotel during the semesters.

Thinking about renting a home here, I realized that the choice of where to live can make a big difference on cost and quality. The specifics of renting apartments, studio rooms or koshevons present their own conditions and rules. But despite all the nuances and variety of offers, each accommodation here forces you to be in motion, discovery and constant self-improvement.

I had the opportunity to get acquainted with many aspects of Korean life and education, and I am grateful for the chance I was given. It was an unexpected but precious adventure that changed my life. Now, enriched with new experiences and knowledge, I may return to my homeland, but the energy and hospitality of South Korea will stay with me forever.

With love and gratitude,
Karina