Living in Korea

     A team of local HUFS students provides hosting services for international students during ISS. The international student host team is made up of undergraduate students who volunteer to work toward the internationalization of our campus by providing a variety of services through the ISO (International Student Office) during the academic year. The members of the ISS hosting team are also enrolled in ISS classes this summer.

TRANSPORTATION

    We advise you to get a public transportation card. The transportation card saves 100 Won on each ride and it can also be used to transfer between the subway and a bus. The basic fare is 1,050 Won, and if you make a transfer from the bus to the subway or vice versa within an hour, you don’t have to pay twice for the use of different modes of transportation. The fare adds up according to the distance covered. You will probably need a minimum of about 60,000 KRW for transportation costs for your 5-week stay.

CELL PHONE

    If you want to use a cell phone in Korea, you should plan on spending at least 50,000 KRW (about US$50) for that. Having a cell-phone is useful for safety reasons, but it is also extremely convenient when you want to coordinate with your roommates or friends. Here in Korea, nearly everyone over the age of 10 or 11 (sometimes younger) has a cell-phone to stay in constant communication with their family and friends and it has become part of the Korean lifestyle. If you want to save some money, you and your ISS roommates could share the cost of one cell-phone. You can talk about it among your roommates after your arrival.

INTERNET ACCESS

    You do not have to bring your laptop because even though there is no computer in your room, there are many available on campus and of course, they are free and all are equipped with high-speed broadband service. As an ISS student, you will get a HUFS ID card which will give you access to all the computer facilities on campus.

WEATHER

    We usually experience heavy rains at the beginning of ISS since it is the monsoon season. Be sure to bring an umbrella.

MONEY EXCHANGE

    We recommend that you change the equivalent of at least US$50 at the airport (if you haven’t changed any yet) to cover such expenses as the airport bus fare, food, and your first few days in Korea. There is a bank on campus that handles foreign exchange but banks close at 4:00 p.m.and are not open on the weekends, so please make sure you are prepared.

ISS staff and the HUFS students from ISS host services will contact you about a month before the program begins to give you details about orientation and your arrival day in Korea.