Culture/Country Shocks in South Korea (to keep in mind)

• Personal space

  • Be aware that people and cars are going to be very very close to you

    • There is way more people always outside compared to Hawaii

    • Especially during rush hours when people go to work and go home

      • It can be as much as shoulder to shoulder and front to back

    • There may even be occasions when there is obviously enough space to be pretty far apart but they will still be close to you

      • I think they may just be used to be in close proximity to people

    • Especially going during SNU’s “rush hours” [following bullet points will just be in regards to SNU, skip to “You will notice people stand very close in lines” bullet point if not applicable]

      • Classes in certain departments tend to have same days and times

      • If living at Naejari Oneroometel (very close to SNU)

        • All busses are smaller than Hawaii’s

        • You will always see the bus packed more than you can ever imagine

        • Shoulder to shoulder, back to front, no space is wasted

        • It will not get emptier in time before your class

        • If there is a spot that fits a human and/or the bus driver opens the doors to you, just go in

        • Means bus driver also thinks you can make it in

        • Only in this case that it is very packed, you can enter either through front or back doors, also depending on which door the bus driver opens and/or if the bus driver opens the doors

        • It is surprising but I got used to it

        • Bus balance tip: holding onto poles are more stable than handles and slightly bend knees

      • If taking bus at the bus stops close to SNU station (subway) for class and during SNU “rush hours”

        • Designated bus stops and lines for busses

        • 5511 (goes to business school)

        • 5513

        • 5515

        • Lines will be very long

        • Most you would have to wait is for your specific bus to come by and take people in 2 times

        • Recommend lining up a little earlier due to that delay

        • It will eventually get very packed as I had mentioned previously

        • If living at Naejari Oneroomtel, you can walk to campus if it is too much to handle

        • I knew people who lived in my same building who would just walk to school

        • Does take a lot more time than bussing

        • Around 20 minutes to get to business building

        • Around 10 minutes to business building by bus

        • The more you go in the bus to go to school, the more you just get used to it and get less phased by how packed it gets

        • Only pros:

        • Since the bus stop close to Naejari Oneroomtel is one of the last stops before entering campus, you are placed the closest to the exit, meaning you have more access to hold on to the poles on the side or door handles (instead of being at the spots without access to holding onto anything)

        • If entering the bus by the bus stops by the SNU subway station, I personally found it better to try place myself close to the exit spot or a place where you can hold onto something

        • You can sit if there is a spot, but getting off the bus may take longer and you have to get through the people still staying in the bus

        • Takes 10 minutes to get to classes

    • You will notice people stand very close in lines

      • If you leave too much space, someone could take that space a.k.a cut in front

        • So you should actually stand close too

• Cars and taxis driving ways

  • I always thought taxis drive as if they are in a video game

    • Drive very fast and maybe even rough

  • Cars do honk more often there

  • Cars also go very close to the crosswalk/pedestrians

  • Roads are narrow

    • In places where there is no formal sidewalk

      • Cars will also be very close to you

• So many hills everywhere

  • Most steep I’ve ever seen

    • Not an exaggeration

    • Especially SNU area since we are by the mountain

      • Prepare your legs for the workout

• People don't steal

  • Really nice to not worry about and be at ease for once

    • You’ll see peoples things just left alone

      • People mind their own business

    • There are even self serve stores (no workers)

    • I also saw a tiktok experiment where someone left airpods on the floor in the afternoon at a popular shopping area (Hongdae), it was still in the same spot at night.

• Some etiquettes that are here but not there are

  • Most of the time would not say “excuse me” when trying to pass through

    • Often just nudge their way through

    • If they really can get through, they will often say “jamkkanmanyo” or “jamshimanyo”

  • Not saying “bless you” after someone sneezes

  • Not holding the door open for strangers behind you

    • I know it can be easy to take personally if not known beforehand so, don’t take too personally since it can be quite normal there