Study in Korea

Why study abroad in South Korea? 

South Korea is a fascinating country and unsurprisingly one of Asia’s most popular study abroad locations for international students. The country is characterized by modern, bustling cities, subtropical islands, and rich culture as well as history. In Korea, a modern and trendy lifestyle meets the history of long-gone dynasties. The country has become well-known because of its thriving music and film industries (K-pop and K-drama). Low living costs and high quality of life are two other factors that make Korea so appealing. Furthermore, seven South Korean colleges were ranked among the top 200 universities in the world by Times Higher Education.  

All in all, when you study in Korea you will collect cultural experiences, live exciting student life, and invest in your career as well as personal growth.  

How to study in Korea?  

Do you want to study in Korea, but you don’t know how to realize this dream? You’ll be surprised how easy it is if you follow these 6 steps:  

1. Firstly, you need to decide on a study program and university in Korea. You have the choice between three universities in Seoul and Busan and three different study abroad programs: a summer school, a semester abroad, or even a full degree. Read below on how to make the best decision for yourself! 
2. The second step is getting the attachments needed for your application to the university or program of your choice. You can find all required documents on the program page under “study matters .”Then, send the online application with all attachments, and your journey starts here! 
3. Afterward, Asia Exchange confirms your study placement within 1-3 days. You will receive an email including the confirmation, a study guide, and further instructions. The guide includes details on visas, lodging, studies, living in the destination, etc. About two months before the semester, you’ll receive the most recent guide version. And yes, this means that your spot in the program is secure!  
4. The next step is paying the application fee. You will receive an invoice shortly after the confirmation email, which you should pay within 10 days to accept your study placement.  
5. Finally, you can prepare to study abroad in South Korea. This includes, for example: 

• Reading the student’s checklist 
• Inform yourself about accommodation options in Korea 
• Booking flights 
• Getting travel insurance 
• Getting vaccinations 
• Apply for funding/scholarships 

Before you study abroad in South Korea, the last steps are paying the tuition fee and applying for a visa. You will receive the tuition fee invoice approx. 2.5 months and the official acceptance letter from the university one month before the semester start. Afterward, you can apply for your visa with the acceptance letter. You will need a D2 student visa to study in Korea. For Summer School students, a visa may not be required due to the length of the program. Please get in touch with your local embassy for more details.  

 Read Florentines’ blog post about her application process to study in Korea: “HOW TO APPLY TO UNIVERSITIES IN KOREA“ 

Where to go? Busan or Seoul? 

If you want to study in Korea, you can choose to study at Dong-A University in Busan or Seoul at Hankuk University of Foreign studies or Hanyang University. You should also consider the area you want to live in besides the program offer.  

On the one hand, Busan is South Korea’s most popular tourist destination and second-largest city, with over 3,5 million people. This wonderful city on the Pacific Ocean’s coast is trendy during the summer season because you have all the city life advantages with beautiful beaches nearby! There are many reasons to visit Busan. For instance, stunning beaches and delicious seafood, traditional marketplaces, and cultural towns. Busan is an excellent choice for international students, with its clean beaches, old temples, sacred mountains, distinctive attractions, and thriving art scene. The atmosphere in Busan differs from that in Seoul. If you prefer quieter cities to the frenetic and crowded city life, Busan may be a better option than Seoul.  

On the other hand, Seoul is one of Asia’s most developed and contemporary cities. It is the capital of an Asian Tiger, a remarkable economic development success story. The Han River splits the elegant city with many parks and places to hang out. Seoul is surrounded by mountains, similar to Busan. In contrast to the downtown skyscrapers, there are several UNESCO world historical sites, including ancient temples, palaces, and courtyards. It is the perfect destination for international students who want to experience the Korean big city life.  

How do you choose the study abroad program in South Korea? 

Asia Exchange offers four different study programs at three universities in South Korea.  

Semester abroad 

Spend 1-2 semesters abroad at Hanyang University in Ansan, Dong-A University in Busan, or Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul and gain international experience during your studies. For instance, this option is excellent if the home university has a limited range of study abroad destinations or study placements. So why not just study as a freemover in Korea?  

Tip: If you’re presently enrolled in a university, college, or other higher education institution, check with them first about your study abroad intentions. Examine the course offerings of the university you’re interested in on our website and construct a study plan to propose to your institution. You’ll know if the study credits you acquire abroad can be applied to your home degree. You can find the study fields and course descriptions on each destination page. 

Full Degree 

Moreover, you can complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree at HUFS. This program is perfect if you want to live and study abroad for a more extended period. Immerse yourself in the Korean culture and live in Seoul, improve your Korean language skills, and make local and international student friends. Do you want to have a thorough study abroad in South Korea experience? Apply for a full degree in International Relations, Economics, Developmental, Law, or Language and Culture. 

Summer School 

In addition, the four-week Summer School Program at HUFS is an excellent alternative for students who want to use their semester break to earn a few credit points (ECTS). This allows you to take some pressure off their curriculum while gaining international experience. The summer school also accepts high school graduates who want to learn more about Indonesia and gain study experience. 

Housing for international students in Korea 

All three universities offer student housing. However, the universities decide who will receive a placement. Therefore, we recommend not to apply last minute when you choose to live in a student dormitory.  

You can read more about the dormitories and room options here. 

Other good options for accommodation are Airbnb or a Goshiwon. Goshiwons are dormitory-style apartments, usually small, that come with a desk, bed, TV, and internet access. They are rented monthly and mainly used by students or workers. Prices for a room range from KRW350 000 to KRW 450 000. There is no mandatory contract, so students can live there for a month and leave if they wish.  

Some students stay at hostels/hotels for the first week to get to know the other students/potential roommates during the orientation events. If this is your preferred approach, we recommend booking the accommodation for your first days via Agoda. However, we still recommend looking into your long-term accommodation well before your flight. Remember, other students will also be looking for places to stay! 

Is it safe to study abroad in South Korea? 

South Korea is a highly safe place to visit for exchange students. Koreans are peaceful and the country has lower crime rates than the United States and is comparable to other European countries, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Consequently, students can even walk alone at night in big cities without feeling unsafe.  

Ensure that your vaccinations are up to date before leaving your home country. In addition, to the essential vaccinations (MMR and diphtheria-tetanus), travelers are often advised to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.  

In addition, the safety of our students is our priority. Although Asia is typically secure, there are several precautions you should take. One of the most crucial safeguards, other than being vaccinated, is obtaining the right insurance. All students need health insurance when studying in South Kore. Find out more here.  

o Fire, Emergency and Ambulance Tel: 119
o Police Tel: 112
o Medical Emergency (aimed at foreigners in Seoul) Tel: 1339
o Tourism and Translation Service Tel: 1330
o Coast Guard Tel: 122
o International Emergency Rescue Tel: 02 790 7561

Social life and universities culture in South Korea 

In contrast to what many think about student life in Korea, students enjoy the university culture and social life. Compared to the demanding high school, once students make it into university, they genuinely enjoy the experience outside the classroom. Going to university also means socializing, joining student clubs, participating in university activities or sports, and partying! Studies are no longer the primary focus, particularly in the first or second year of university. International students can make new friends effortlessly by connecting with the people living in their dormitory, talking to classmates, and joining university activities of their interest. Many universities offer buddy programs for incoming students that study abroad in South Korea.