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• Living in Korea

Location

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The Korean Peninsula is located in North – East Asia. It is bordered by the Amnok River(Yalu River) to the northwest, separating Korea from China, and the Duman River (Tumen River) to the northeast which separates Korea from both China and Russia. The country itself is flanked by the Yellow Sea to its west and the East Sea to the east.There are several notable islands that surround the country including Jeju-do, Ulleung-do and Dok-do (Liancourt Rocks).The Korean peninsula is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The land area is 99,200 sq km (38,301 square miles), and it has a population of 48.9 million people (2006). Because of its unique geographical location, Korea is a very viable piece of land and an international hub of Asia.

 

Climate

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Korea has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November to March. The island of Jeju off the southern coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country. The most ideal time to visit Korea is during the autumn months (September~November). During this time, the country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies that are cobalt blue and spectacular foliage that is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are cold and dry and remain a good time if you are interested in winter sports as there are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April~May) is also beautiful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very busy and one needs to book in advance to ensure accommodation is available. The summer months are muggy and hot, and rather crowded. It is also when the monsoon begins so many activities are subject to the fluctuations of heavy rain.

 

Food

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Of the three basic elements of life ― house, clothing and food ― the change in dietaryhabits has most significantly affected Koreans. Rice still remains the staple of most Koreans, but among the younger generations, many prefer Western-style food. Rice has been usually accompanied by various side dishes, mostly seasoned vegetables, soup, pot stew, and meat. A traditional Korean meal is not complete without kimchi, a mixture of various pickled vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, radish, green onion and cucumber. Certain types of kimchi are made spicy with the addition of red chili pepper powder, while others are prepared without red chili peppers or are soaked in a tasty liquid. However, garlic is always used in kimchi to add to its flavor.
In late November or early December, Korean families used to prepare enough kimchi to last the long winter. The kimchi was stored in large clay jars partially buried to maintain temperature and retain flavor. In modern Korea, housewives often don’t have time to make kimchi or the outdoor space needed to store large amounts. But kimchi is still a vital part of the Korean lifestyle: companies making the fermented dish and others selling special kimchi refrigerators enjoy brisk sales. In addition to kimchi, doenjang(soybean paste), with its anti-cancer attributes, has attracted the attention of modern-day nutritionists. Koreans used to make doenjang at home by boiling yellow beans, drying them in the shade, soaking them in salty water, and fermenting them in sunlight. However, only a few families go through this process anymore; the majority buys factory-made doenjang. Among meat dishes, seasoned bulgogi (usually beef) and galbi (beef or pork ribs) are the most favored by both Koreans and foreigners.

 

Currency

The unit of Korean currency is the won, usually written as a simple capital W preceding the amount, as \1,000. As coins, the won is minted in 10 -, 50 -, 100 -, and 500-won denominations; as banknotes, it is issued in 1,000-, 5,000-, 10,000-, and 50,000 won bills. Banks also issue checks in \100,000 increments. As with most currencies around the world, the won exchange rate fluctuates, but as of now (Dec., 2008) the rate is approximately 1100 won to the one U.S. dollar.

 

Seoul

Seoul, the capital city of Korea, is both a modern metropolis and a repository of Korean culture. All that is required is a little curiosity and an adventurous spirit to discover and appreciate the many things to do and places to visit. Places of interest range from open markets to luxurious department stores, small student-run theaters to world class art centers, and century old palaces to modern high-rises. In addition, Seoul is becoming a more multicultural city and finding various international cuisines requires little effort. Unfortunately, most Koreans are not fluent in English, so if you get lost, or need help with directions, strangers may not always be accommodating. However, more often than not, a kind person will try to help you find your way. Take time to learn about the culture, the people, and make the most of your stay in Korea. You may visit the website.
http://www.visitseoul.net/

 

1. International Calls- How to call Korea from overseas

When you make a phone call to Korea from abroad, first dial 82 (country code for Korea), then the area code (except for the first number 0), and then finally dial the phone number you desire to call. For example: calling Seoul (area code 02) with 3299-1114 as the phone number, dial +82-2-3299-1114.- How to call overseas from Korea First dial any of the following international call company numbers and then the country code, area code and finally the number you are calling.
* Regular International Phone Call Carriers: 001, 002, 008
* Mobile Phone Carriers : 00345, 00365, 00388, 00700, 00727, 00766, 00770.
* Pre-paid phone cards : pre-paid phone cards are available at any convenience store or news stand.
⇒ Students are not allowed to use the telephones in the administrative offices.

 

2. Public Phones

There are three types of public telephones: coin-operated telephones, card phones, and credit card phones. A local call costs 70KW for three minutes. You can use public telephones for local, long-distance and international calls with a calling card (2,000KW, 3,000KW, 5,000KW, and 10,000KW) or coins (10KW, 50KW, 100KW). The calling cards can be purchased at banks, post offices, shops and bus stop kiosks near the phone booths.

 

3. Tourist Information Service

Information and assistance are readily available at the Tourist Information Center (TIC) of KTO (Korea Tourism Organization). The TIC provides you with up-to-date and accurate information on Korean tourism. Visitors can obtain helpful information on travel, accommodation, tourist attractions and much more.
Seoul KTO Tourist Information Center
Address : 40, Cheongyecheonno, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-180
Tel : Travel Information : +82-2-1330(24 hours)
Center Information : +82-2-7299-600
Homepage : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/
Korea Travel Phone 1330
When you need English assistance or travel information, just dial 1330, and a bilingual operator will offer you detailed information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, etc. If you want information about areas outside of Seoul, enter the area code of that region before pressing 1330.

 

4. Tips on Cultural Etiquette

Remember that in coming to Korea, you are entering a new culture, which may differ greatly from your own. Cultural blunders and mistakes will be inevitable for newcomers. Here are a few tips to help you get through the first few days.
– Greetings are very important to Koreans. Words of greeting and thanks are usually said with a bow of the head. The depth of the bow depends on the relative seniority of the two speakers.
– Koreans do not appreciate an overly outspoken style, and physical contact between acquaintances is limited to a handshake. However, physical contact among close friends is common. For example, it is not uncommon to see two men walking in the street with their arms around each other’s shoulder and young women walking hand-in-hand.Public displays of affection between the sexes, however, are regarded as unseemly.
– Koreans traditionally sit, eat, and sleep on the floor, so shoes are always removed when entering a Korean home. Bare feet are offensive to elderly people, so it is best to wear socks, even in summer, when visiting a family. “Going Dutch,” though becoming more popular among young people,is not widely practiced in Korea. Be prepared to be either a guest or host.