Shopping

• Grocery Shopping (Supermarket)
  • Small marts nearby are available but the larger supermarkets in Korea are Homeplus, E-mart, Lotte Mart, etc.

  Note: big supermarkets are required to close on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month. Depending on the region, it could close on a different day of the week so make sure to check if they are open before getting your groceries.

• Living Supplies
  • Daiso, Coupang (online), large supermarkets such as Homeplus, E-mart, Lotte Mart, etc. has living supplies as well
• Traditional Market
  • Kwangjang Market, Noryangjin Fisheries Market, Namdaemun Market, etc.

Entertainment

• Movie Theater : CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox
• Bookstore : Kyobo, YP (Youngpoong) Books, YES24, etc.
• Sports : Baseball (Jamsil Baseball Stadium), Basketball (Jamsil Gymnasium), Volleyball (Jangchung Arena), Soccer (Seoul World Cup Stadium), etc.
• Amusement Park : Lotte World, Everland, SeoulLand, etc.

  Every last Wednesday of the month is Culture Day. Cultural activities can be enjoyed for free or at discounted price. Check the Culture day website for more information on what activities you can enjoy.

Cell Phone

Getting a Korean phone number

There are generally two options for mobile plans: prepaid plan and monthly plan.

1) Monthly Plan

Contract plans are usually 2-3 years so it is not recommended for students staying for a short period of time. Contract plans may require a proof of a long-term visa. The main mobile service providers in Korea are SK Telecom, KT (Olleh), LG (U+ / U-Plus). Each provider has different services plans, so make sure to visit multiple stores to compare deals. When getting a new phone, be sure to take your 1. Passport and 2. Alien Registration Card. To learn more about getting a cell phone in Korea, visit the following website.

→ Info About Cell Phones, Plans & Providers in South Korea

2) Prepaid SIM Card

Students staying in Korea for less than one year are recommended to purchase a prepaid plan which starts around 30,000 won. With an unlocked phone, you can use a phone right away without any wait. To learn more about getting a prepaid SIM card in Korea, visit the following website.

→ SIM Cards in Korea

Banking and Currency Exchange

Many banking, insurance, financial products and services are available in Korea. There can be some restrictions imposed to foreign students in banking or finance due to strict national regulations. Depending on the types of international transactions, there can be some specific stipulations on documents and transaction amount.

• Service Hours: 9 am to 4 pm (Mon-Fri)

  Note: bank hours may change, so please check before visiting

Transfer

When you want to send money overseas, you can transfer money at a bank. Through designated foreign exchange banks, you can transfer up to $50,000 (remittance + exchange rate) a year, and if you have a document showing how the money was acquired, then you can transfer any amount within one’s range of income. Different banks have different fees and restrictions on transfers, so it is recommended that you compare the information at different banks. It is convenient and fast to transfer money through telegraphic transfer. For such a transfer, you need to write down the name of the recipient, address, account number, the name of bank, and other pertinent information in English.

Foreign Exchange

If you have a passport, you can easily exchange foreign money or traveler’s checks for Korean money at Korean banks, including the Korean Exchange Bank, and the change booths at the airport. You can exchange up to $10,000 (for one entry) at a time. The foreign exchange rates are not fixed and change depending on economic factors.

Money & Currency in Korea

[Source: http://www.bok.or.kr/eng/main/contents.do?menuNo=400112 ]

Korean Law

As a foreigner, there are several laws that can be used as a guide according to your [visa] status in Korea.

Note: Related laws can be changed and revised according to policies in Korea. These regulations and guidelines will guide you throughout your studies in Korea.

[As of April 15, 2022]

Category	Contents	Related Laws in Korea
1. Study Abroad in Korea	Admissions Curriculum Related	『HIGHER EDUCATION ACT』 『ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT』 『IMMIGRATION ACT』 『REGULATIONS ON ANY PERMISSION FOR STAY AND RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF』
2. Visa Issuance and Duration of Stay	Visa Duration of Stay	『IMMIGRATION ACT』
3. Entry to Korea	Entry Re-entry	『IMMIGRATION ACT』
4. Registration as a Foreigner	Alien Registration in Korea	『IMMIGRATION ACT』 『REGULATIONS ON ANY PERMISSION FOR STAY AND RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF』
5. Support for Foreign Students	Support for Foreign Students	『FRAMEWORK ACT ON TREATMENT OF FOREIGNERS RESIDING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA』 『IMMIGRATION ACT』
6. Housing	Forms of Housing Finding Housing Moving Internationally	『LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS ACT』 『HOUSING ACT』 『IMMIGRATION ACT』 『REGISTRATION OF REAL ESTATE ACT』 『HOUSING LEASE PROTECTION ACT』 『CUSTOMS ACT』
7. Finance	Financial Transaction	『FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS ACT』
8. Traffic	Traffic System Obtaining Drivers License Car Registration	『ROAD TRAFFIC ACT』 『MOTOR VEHICLE MANAGEMENT ACT』
9. Communication and Mail	Communication and Mail System Subscription and Use of Mobile Phones, etc.
10. Medical	Medical System Getting Health Insurance	『NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT』
11. Part-time Work	Part-time Work	『IMMIGRATION ACT』 『REGULATIONS ON ANY PERMISSION FOR STAY AND RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF』

[Source: Ministry of Government Legislation]

Safety Tips

Seoul is a relatively safe metropolitan city, and students are unlikely to face any serious threat to personal safety. However, it is always best to be cautious.

• Be aware of your surroundings and of the behavior of the people around you.
• Follow your intuition; trust your feelings about suspicious situations.
• Be careful of your personal belongings such as passport, wallet, purse, mobile phone and any other valuables at all times, especially on public transit. Do not leave valuables unattended.
• It is best not to wander alone late at night. Walk in well-lit areas and areas with many people.
• Travel in groups of people that you know, especially late at night. In particular, you should be careful when engaging in off-campus nightlife.
• There are no police officers stationed on campus, but there are security alarms and telephones installed on campus that are monitored by private security. There are also 24 hour security guards stationed in each building. If there is an emergency, contact them for assistance, or call 119.

→ National Police Agency Crime Prevention Guide