Top Ten Tips

1. Do your FRC ahead of time.

   1. If you want to travel around Asia while studying abroad in South Korea, you must have your FRC card.

   2. Leaving the country without it cancels your student visa, which means you can't return and finish your exchange, messing up many things.

   3. Also, you have to carry a form of ID with you everywhere, and for some people, carrying around their passport can be a lot, so having the FRC takes some of that burden off their shoulders.

2. Do get a phone number.

   1. It's essential when doing anything online, such as pop-up reservations and concert tickets.

   2. I got a phone number, but honestly, I never really used it other than putting it down on some form or waiting list for a restaurant.

   3. I have never made calls or texted, so I suggest getting data and asking a friend to use their Korean phone number to save Money.

3. Get a climate card

   1. It would save you so much Money if you knew you would be running around Seoul.

      1. I spent more than 80k won on my first month on transportation as I explored Seoul. A climate card monthly is just 62k won or 65k won if you want to add on bike rentals.

   2. The only con is that it only works in Seoul, so it is unusable once you leave Seoul for Busan or any other city, like Incheon.

4. Explore outside the famous areas.

   1. Don't just stick to areas such as Hongdae or Seongsu.

   2. Seoul is amazing when you go above those areas, explore, and see what life is like for the locals.

   3. For example, I enjoyed exploring the areas around mountain trail entrances such as Seokchon Village.

5. Do not be afraid to talk to locals.

   1. Ask for recommendations; they will have good ones.

   2. People are generally friendly, albeit there are exceptions, but people are always happy to be helpful.

6. Learn to read Hangul.

   1. Korea has one of the easiest writing and reading systems in the world.

   2. Take advantage of this. Sit down for an hour and read as you explore Korea.

   3. Which is incredibly helpful when searching for things.

7. Exchange a lot of Money.

   1. You need a lot of Money for Korea. While you can get away with a card for the most part, there are still certain areas where you need a lot of Money.

      1. 76k won is what you need for the health insurance every month

      2. Transportation card funds are added only with cash.

      3. Sometimes stores offer a cash discount, especially smaller stores.

      4. If you enjoy the market, you need cash to pay vendors.

8. Follow the ajummas for good food.

   1. Turn around if you look inside a restaurant and do not see a single grandma or grandpa.

   2. Older folks knew the best and cheapest food around.

9. Buses versus Subway

   1. Often, the subway is much faster than the bus, but it never shows it as taking longer.

      1. Ignore that, and if you see the subway ride itself is short, take it as it will save you time compared to the bus.

   2. Buses are better sometimes, though, as they take you closer to your location and let you see the city.

   3. While studying in South Korea, I saw many protests, and the buses took many detours. However, this is unlikely for anyone studying there in the future. I want to warn you that if you know protests will happen, always take the subway, as it will be the most reliable option and will save you so much time and headache.

      1. So, take the bus if you have time and want to see the city

      2. Take the subway if you can not deal with any delay and need to be there quickly

10. Do not overpack

    1. You will end up shopping a lot in South Korea

    2. Prepare for that possibility and bring only what you need and a minimum of clothes.

    3. Especially with skincare, for example, which is a massive thing in South Korea. I bought a lot and even more to bring home to supply me for a long time.

    4. A lot of my friends for example were all freaking out as they packed.

       1. About 25-40% of my friends paid an overweight fee when flying back.