TIPS before departure (other than getting a visa and passport)
Come with a plan/bucket list
Know what you should do while you’re there
Try things that aren’t available in Hawaii/U.S.
Get plug adapters
I know you could get it there
Personally found it difficult to find
Especially if you want certain kind of plug
Amazon has like different types, pack of 3 for like $11
Also ones with like multiple usb slots too
If you charge a lot of things
Charles Schwab debit card
No foreign transaction fees and no ATM fees
Gets refunded to you at the end of every month
Very easy to get
Just fill out form online
Mail the card to you
Can mobile deposit or bank transfer
4 most important apps
I feel like every single exchange students to korea downloaded these
NaverMaps is like google maps
Found it the easiest to work and understand
KakaoTalk is like their main source for communication
Not once had people opted for using phone numbers
KakaoT for taxi
Can be linked to KakaoTalk account
Can pay with foreign card after ride
Taxi is much cheaper in Korea too
Papago for translating
Said to be more accurate than Google translate
Very helpful feature is that you can take picture
And it will translate on the picture
So you can know what parts in the picture say what
Read or watch videos on
Things to know before going
Culture shocks
Tips
I did not cover everything so it’s good to just be aware the most you can
Learn Korean alphabet and basic phrases if you can
Learning Korean alphabet to make processes faster
When reading signs, store names, etc.
One of the easiest alphabets to learn
Basic phrases to be polite, ”hello” and “thank you”
TIPS while in South Korea
T-money card
You can get it at ANY convenience store
Very much like the holo card for bus in Hawaii
Except have to tap when going inside AND going outside too (to avoid being charged extra)
Reloading card
Machines in subway stations (English available)
Any convenience store
Can only reload through won bills
Transportation
Fare for transportation, subway/bus is cheap
Can transfer for free within 30 minutes
After 30 minutes charge depends on how long since the previous drop off
Usually not that expensive
Make use of travel websites
Examples; Trazy, CreaTrip, Klook, KKday, etc.
Personally often used Trazy
They can often offer discounts and easy mobile ticketing
Even have sets with tour guides where you can do multiple things in a day
They can show you things you may have not known about
If you are staying during the winter season
Get proper shoes for icy ground
It gets very slippery
I wish someone told me about this
The many hills don't help either
I was always walking anxiously when the ground was icy
If you need anything, I recommend going to Daiso because they will have every possible necessity item for much cheaper than anywhere else.
Many Daiso stores and they are usually very big
Get Korean phone number, Alien Registration Card and Korean bank accounts
Most in-person transactions accept foreign card, however, online Korean platforms may only accept Korean bank accounts
Alien Registration Card and Korean phone number is required for making a Korean bank accounts
Alien Registration Card often needs to be officially linked to Korean phone number for identity verification purposes when purchasing online with Korean bank
Need to contact phone line handler to link ARC to phone number
Need all three for using local food delivery apps where you have more selection (e.g. Coupang Eats, Yogiyo, etc.)
Need all three for using the Korean “Amazon”, Coupang
Need all three for Korean shopping/ticketing websites that do not have global versions of their website
I often hear Myeongdong has the best exchange rates
However, I often just went to ATMs on campus
Woori Bank ATMs have the smoothest process with foreign cards
With Charles Schwab debit card, fees get refunded to you at the end of the month
Many ATMs of different Korean banks also on SNU campus
Do not push the button at the crosswalks
Crosswalk light will always change automatically
Button is only for people that need assistance
It will bring someone to help you cross the street
Do not press the single colored button in empty space on wall at your left/right sides of restrooms stall
If there is a button to flush, it will usually be next to a bunch of other buttons (for bidets) and white
Usually just regular flush handles
That singular colored button is also only for assistance, not flushing
There will usually information indicating it is for that purpose of assistance