From Hawaii to Hanbok: Pt.2 of Study Abroad Prep Guide for South Korea

 Aloha everyone! 다시 조이스예요~

In my first post, I discussed pre-departure considerations, and now I’ll share some thoughts on what to expect upon arrival. You’ll need to make several adjustments to settle in effectively. 

So you made it! You landed in South Korea, collected your luggage, and now… what? Time to get settled in! Here are a few essential aspects to consider:

Transportation Essentials  

Before anything else, get a T-Money card. It functions similarly to a U-Pass or Holo Card (basically Korea’s version), and you’ll use it for buses, subways, and sometimes even convenience stores. The easiest place to grab one? The airport and you don’t have to pay for it! Just get it right after landing and load some cash onto it. 

Must-Have Apps 

A list of mobile applications that will significantly enhance your experience:  

1. Naver Maps – Forget Google Maps hehe, this is the go-to navigation app in Korea. 

2. KakaoMetro – Works with Naver Maps, which is helpful for planning subway routes and subway stops. 

3. Kakao T – The go-to app for booking taxis.  

4. KorailTalk – Necessary for reserving bullet train tickets or KTX (yes, you’ll want to take trips!). If you're considering your travel options, I highly recommend taking the subway. It's not only more affordable, but it also provides a chance to experience the local vibe and energy of the city. You can observe the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

However, if you're pressed for time and need to get to your destination quickly, KTX would be an excellent alternative. This high-speed train can get you where you need to go in no time. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance, as they can get quite popular during peak travel times.

On the other hand, if you have a more leisurely schedule and enjoy taking in the scenery, consider opting for a regional train or bus. These routes often take you through beautiful landscapes and quaint towns that you might otherwise miss when traveling at high speeds. Whichever option you choose, make sure to enjoy the ride!

5. KakaoTalk – This is the social messaging app in Korea—more popular than Insta, WhatsApp, or Snapchat.   

6. Papago – An effective translation tool for basic conversations especially if you’re still learning Korean.  

7. ChatGPT – Surprisingly useful for translating phrases with contextual accuracy.  

Learning Hangul  

Even if you’re not fluent and even when fluency in Korean is not required, learning how to read Hangul will make your life easier. You don’t need to be a language expert, but knowing how to decode store signs, menus, and directions will save you so much confusion.

SIM Cards & eSIMs  

If you have an eSIM, get one at the airport—it’s super convenient. If you do not require an eSIM, you can obtain a local SIM card from the university or nearby stores. Although my existing phone plan worked, I found that local Korean SIM cards offer better coverage and affordability, particularly for frequent travelers. Even though some international phone plans work in Korea like mine, honestly? Getting a local SIM is way cheaper and more reliable.  

Making Friends & Cultural Etiquette  

The people here are super welcoming. Korean students are generally welcoming and eager to introduce international students to local attractions. However, cultural differences should always be respected. Patience and understanding will go a long way in building meaningful connections.  

Language Exchange & Campus Events 

Participating in language exchange programs is an excellent way to meet local students. In my case, students from America (미국) had between six and eight exchange partners—I personally had eight and enjoyed each experience. So, language is a 10-week program. They'll pay you about 120,000 won, which comes to about 100 bucks—not too bad! It is a solid way to pick up some new skills or experiences. The 10-week commitment feels just right; it’s long enough to really engage with the students but short enough that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

Also, don’t skip on-campus events like Global Day, Cafe Hours, and Festivals! Spring festivals here are magical—from small local celebrations to cherry blossom festivals and even huge university concerts featuring K-pop artists. Basically, don't miss out!

From Hawaii to Hanbok: Pt.1 of Study Abroad Prep Guide for South Korea

 안녕하세요 여러분, 만나서 반가워요! If you’ve somehow stumbled onto this blog, you’re probably dreaming about—or already planning—a study abroad semester in South Korea. If so, be ready, because I’m about to give you the lowdown on everything I wish I had known before hopping on that plane.  

I’m Joyce, a sophomore nursing student currently making memories on an exciting study abroad journey in South Korea for the spring 2025 semester. Studying abroad is a wonderful experience, but preparation is key to ensuring a smooth transition. As a Nursing student, before committing to the program, I strongly recommend completing your major coursework first to avoid any complications with credit transfers. Trust me, you don’t want to deal with credit transfers messing up your graduation timeline.  

Now, let’s talk about pre-departure prep—because no one wants to land in a foreign country feeling totally lost.  

Essential Pre-Departure Considerations  

Visa Requirements:

Aside from the usual documents required by the Korean consulate, they also asked for an original copy of my grades and class schedules. Yep—my actual, physical copy. Depending on where you’re from, you might need different documents, so always double-check with the consulate. Pro tip: If your visa process requires an in-person visit (I processed my visa in person, so I advise checking the requirements well in advance to ensure you have everything ready.), book that appointment early to avoid last-minute panic.  

Packing Wisely: 

Listen, do not overpack. I repeat: DO NOT OVERPACK. Just bring what you need. It is important not to overpack.  If you know deep in your heart that you’re going to be hitting the shops (and trust me—you will), then resist the temptation to bring your entire wardrobe (like me). You will likely want to get back many items from Korea. Keeping your luggage light is a strategic decision. South Korea has amazing fashion, beauty products, and quirky souvenirs that you will want to bring home and may tempt you during your stay. Save space for those future hauls! 

Weather Awareness:

If you’re coming for the spring semester, bring a few warm layers for February and March, but don’t go crazy with winter clothes. As someone from Hawaii, I personally found February and March to be way colder than expected. However, the weather gradually became warmer. Bringing a few cold-weather essentials is advisable, but heavy winter clothing may not be necessary (for the spring semester!). Also, I've noticed that my skin gets super dry here. I really recommend bringing your own lotion because we all have different skin types. It's best to have something on hand that works for you to keep your skin moisturized.

Comfortable Footwear:  

Walking is an integral part of daily life in South Korea. Between campus commutes, trips to local markets, and city explorations, a sturdy pair of walking shoes will be invaluable. Personally, I noticed an increase in muscle tone in my legs due to the extensive walking! The stairs? Endless. The hills? Unforgiving. The walking distances? Surprisingly long. Please, do yourself a favor and invest in solid walking shoes before arriving.

Excursions around South Korea

 Hi Sharks!

My name is Isabella Garcia, and I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in South Korea this past summer! In this blog post, I will share some excursions that I've been on and highly recommend if you ever travel to South Korea. I studied abroad at Konkuk University, which is located in the heart of Seoul, where transportation (bus/subway) is only a 10-15 minute walk from campus! 

I will first share my favorite excursions organized by Konkuk University, which were scheduled for every Wednesday during the program. We went on a total of 3 excursions to the DMZ, Gangwon Province, and Everland Theme Park. All these trips were so much fun, I will include Gangwon in this post since it was my favorite out of the 3 and then get into more things I did off campus!

Gangwon Province

Konkuk University organized a day trip to Gangwon Province, which is about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Seoul (we took a charter bus there). We first went to Gangchon Rail Park, located in the city of Chuncheon, where we rode rail bikes around a designated area. The scenery was beautiful, and it was so much fun!

Cafe Hopping

Studying is so much more fun at cafes, and one of my favorite things to do. Studying abroad in South Korea, I would highly recommend going to a cafe; there are so many options inside and outside of campus and across multiple districts. Some cafes are open much later than the ones in the US, which was a culture shock for me.

 

Museums 

Since I took the K-Art class, I had the opportunity to go to multiple museums for class, such as the National Museum of Korea and the Modern & Contemporary Art Museum. I learned a lot about Korean art and history!

 

Shopping

There are multiple places to shop around Seoul! I've been shopping at Insadong, Seongsu, Gangnam, and even the Kondae district right outside campus! I've bought so many things, such as clothes, accessories, skincare, and makeup! I even got color-matched for some of the makeup products, and my skin was analyzed so I could find the right products for me!

 

That's it for this post. I hope you all enjoyed a sneak peek into some of my daily life studying at Konkuk University. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at igarcia8@my.hpu.edu. 

My Experince in South Korea at Konkuk University

My overall experience in South Korea was amazing. I made friends from all over the world and got to try so many new experiences I could never do anywhere else. When I arrived in South Korea, I had pre-booked my hotel, which was located at the airport. There are two types of hotels at the airport. The first one is the transit hotel, which is before customs. This hotel is for people with a layover. The second is a capsule hotel located outside of customs, which is the one I booked and was perfect for one night. There are multiple room options, and they are very convenient. It can be small, but for only one night, it's worth it. The cost is very reasonable; I booked a single shower for $55 USD. These sell out a month in advance, so book with plenty of time before heading there. 

To get to Konkuk, I took the airport limousine bus for $12 USD. This was very convenient as the bus stores your luggage under the bus, and when you get off the bus, the driver retrieves it for you. It was a two-hour ride to Konkuk. Once I got there, I met with the interns who provided my dorm key and rented bedding ($23 USD). After that, I settled in and went shopping for dorm necessities at Daiso, which is an amazing store that sells household items for extremely cheap. Made many Daiso runs while I was in Korea. Konkuk is located near many tasty restaurants, so finding food was never too difficult. The first night, we went out to eat with our interns for chicken and went to karaoke after. This was a very fun first experience in Korea. The next day was orientation and buddy missions, the missions were to take pictures across campus and even places in Seoul to win prizes like Lotte World tickets. 

Our first field trip was to Waterbomb, which is a Korean music festival. This was one of my favorite excursions because we got to see so many popular artists and even received some free gifts. We had field trips every Wednesday, which were nice breaks from classes. Some of my favorite excursions were the baseball game and Everland Amusement Park. The baseball game was so energetic, and the entire crowd cheered for every player. The food was very good and fun to eat. Everland had so many thrilling and fun rides that we went during a weekday, so the lines were very short. We also got to see the cutest and clumsiest pandas there. I also enjoyed the sauna, even though it was very hot and humid in Korea; the sauna experience was very fun and relaxing. It was a true bonding experience. Other field trips we did were the DMZ, Lotte World, Gwangwon province, a cooking class, and a Han River Cruise. Everything was really enjoyable, we did have to pay for certain excursions like the baseball game and Sauna, but Konkuk got us really good deals. 

I had two classes, K-Psychology and K-Aesthetics. They were each three hours long, Monday through Friday, except on Wednesday for field trips. K-Psychology was very insightful about the Korean people and culture. We had a different professor every week and I liked each of their the teaching methods. One professor brought in our Korean buddies, and we got to ask them questions about what it is like to live in South Korea. For K-Aesthetics, we learned about skincare companies from their marketing strategies to the history of K-beauty and skincare. We also went on a field trip for K-Aesthetics. We went to famous skincare/makeup brands and a teahouse. We also went to a Botox clinic/plastic surgery office. Overall, I loved my classes and professors.

After classes and during our free time, I would go out with friends and explore Seoul. We went to pop-ups, palaces, and did lots of shopping. I loved Gyeongbokgung Palace. We were supposed to go with our buddies, but it got cancelled due to the heat, so my little group got up early and went while it was still cool. We rented a traditional hanbok and explored the palace. I’m a big BTS fan, so I made sure to hit all the popular spots for the group, like Hybe. We also did a day trip to Busan, which was a great day. We went to the beach, took a skytrain, and visited Gamcheon Village. I recommend visiting Busan! I also recommend visiting Myeong-dong for shopping and street food. The street food is so delicious, just make sure to have cash to try the food. My favorite meal was Korean barbecue, and then going to karaoke after. I tried to take in every moment and not take my time in Korea for granted. It’ll be a time in my life I will always cherish.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me! My email is nguillen1@my.hpu.edu. Thank you for reading my blog post.

Preparation Details for Studying Abroad in South Korea 2025

Hi Sharks, my name is Nevaeh and I studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea this past summer! My International Summer program was one month long at Konkuk University. Here are my experiences and tips for preparing and packing for a month in Korea.

Since I only went to Korea for a month I did not need to apply for a Visa since it was only a month-long program. However, if plan on staying longer than 90 days then a visa will be required. Other extremely important documents to bring are your passport and an additional government-issued identification such as a driver’s license. I did have to take my passport with me on certain excursions because it was required so I used my passport pouch to keep it on me at all times and safe during field trips. You can use your passport at certain stores to get purchases tax-free but some places already include tax-free with a purchase over a certain amount. So if you don't feel comfortable with taking your passport everywhere you don't have to. I also did print copies of my international health insurance and prescription medication just in case but these can be accessed electronically as well. I had these for when I went through customs but I had no issues and the customs agent did not ask for any other documents besides my passport. Honestly, I only used my passport and ID for my entire trip. 

As soon as I went through customs the first thing I did was exchange my cash for Korean won (exchange rates are better in Korea so I would wait to exchange til you’re there) and picked up my pre-paid Wowpass which is a debit card and T-money in one! A T-money card is your transportation card that you can use to ride buses and subway which you will need to get around Seoul. Making the Wowpass convenient and easy to use I had already purchased it using the Wowpass app. To pick it up you have to go to a convenience store in the airport (CU) right downstairs from baggage claim. You have a barcode on the app that the cashier will scan and then they will give you the card. After I received the card I had to load it using a Wowpass machine at the end of my terminal. You can only load the card with Korean won, after loading it you can transfer money to your T-money card using the app. There are multiple Wowpass machines all around Seoul if you need to load more won or you can use a Mastercard or Discover card to load through the app for a fee of 7000 won(USD 5.10). You can also take out physical won from the Wowpass machine if you need more cash. For credit cards, I had a Capital One Quiksilver Mastercard which does not charge international fees in case of emergencies but I relied mainly on my physical won and Wowpass. If you ever need to take more cash out Konkuk does have a global ATM just in case but it will most likely charge you a fee. Korea does accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover but depending on your bank or card there might be international fees. 

For packing, I would take into consideration that July is extremely hot and humid in Korea so make sure to pack appropriate clothing and especially deodorant because it is very hard to find in Korea. Also, you can pack an adaptor and converter for your plug-in appliances but if you do forget many places sell them. Lastly, packing items you can't find in Korea. American medicine works better so it's best to just bring medicine like Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and allergy medicine that you’re familiar with. 

For phone data and calling there are plenty of options to choose from such as carrier international data plans, phone rentals, eSIM/SIM cards, and pocket wifi. I had to go with my carrier's international data plan because my phone was locked and couldn't support an E-sim. Some carriers lock your phone if it's not paid so you can only use their network and you can ask for a temporary unlock for travel my carrier T-mobile changed their policy and no longer does temporary unlocks but they gave me the option of the international data plan which was a similar price to E-sims. My plan was unlimited text and calls for no extra charges but for data I only had 5G til I ran out then it would go to 3G. The good thing about Korea is it offers wifi everywhere so I was easily able to manage my 5G throughout the entire month. If your phone is not locked or has a physical sim than all of the other options can be purchased at the airport. If you search around, some websites offer discounts and pick-up at the airport for convenience. I would definitely do your research before purchasing because there can be stipulations to your plan like charging for incoming and outgoing calls so just be mindful. They might offer a Korean phone number which can be helpful with certain apps but it is totally up to you and your length of stay. If you want to call home back in the US, I suggest third-party apps such as Kakao Talk, Whatsapp, or even Instagram for contact because those are free.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me! My email is nguillen1@my.hpu.edu. Thank you for reading my blog post and the next one will be coming soon!

First Week at Konkuk University's Summer School Program!

First Week at Konkuk University's Summer School Program in South Korea!

안녕하세요 (Hello!) Sharks!

My name is Isabella Garcia, and I am a senior studying Marine Biology with a minor in Pre-Medical Studies at HPU! I had a wonderful opportunity to study abroad at Konkuk University in South Korea for one month. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience, and I would definitely do it again! In this post, I will show you my first week as a Konkuk University student!

Some tips I have before studying abroad in South Korea!

- Apply for scholarships! I applied to and received the International Gilman and the HPU Study Abroad Scholarships! It made my hopes a reality, and I am so grateful to have received the scholarships that helped me pay for the tuition. 

- Communicate with the partner school! I did experience some miscommunications with Konkuk University regarding early action requirements, start/end dates, and my class schedules. They do get an overwhelming amount of emails before the program starts, so be sure to check in with Melissa, the HPU Study Abroad Advisor, when your emails are not being answered. 

- If you have been prescribed medication, make sure you check with South Korea's guidelines to ensure none of the ingredients are illegal. You might also have to get a permit if the medication is essential! You should submit the permit application at least 10 days before you arrive. For any other prescribed medication, I would recommend getting a written letter from your doctor to take with you and taking the medication in its original container. 

- If you are studying abroad longer than 90 days, be sure to obtain a visa. My program was only one month long, so I did not need to get a visa. 

- Be sure to purchase an eSIM (you can do this at the airport) or change your phone plan so that you can contact family or friends back home! I switched to a one-month international plan with my carrier, and it worked great!

- If you plan on bringing a lot of souvenirs home, check a large empty suitcase. Or do what I did... I bought an IKEA bag in South Korea, and it was a much better option than buying a brand-new suitcase! Another tip would be to add a tracking device, such as an Apple AirTag, so you can keep track of it while you're traveling. I also bought a TSA-approved lock for extra safety measures. 

- Bring deodorant and feminine hygiene products with you; it can be very hard to find them there.

Arrival!

I arrived at Incheon Airport on a Wednesday, one day earlier than my scheduled check-in at the Konkuk University dorms. I booked a room at the capsule hotel inside the airport. It was around $65 for one night. It was very convenient to stay at the airport, as it was my first time traveling abroad to a foreign country. There were many food options, and I was able to exchange currency and purchase and load a T-money card at the CU convenience store! A T-money card is a transportation card that you can easily use for public transportation, such as buses and subways. You can only load the card with cash at the convenience store or inside the subway stations. This card can also be used outside of the city of Seoul (I went to Busan during my trip, and it worked fine!). Also, I heard that you can now use the T-money card on your phone as an app, which makes it even more convenient!

                

In the morning, to get to Konkuk University, I took the airport limousine outside of Terminal 2. I purchased a ticket that was around 17,000-18,000 won, which is $12.25-$12.97 USD. Buying the ticket was easy and right outside the bus station at the airport. It took an hour and a half to get to the Konkuk University Station with no stops. Once I arrived, I checked into my room at Vision Hall. Each room housed two students. Here's what a dorm room looks like at Konkuk! We received toiletries and bedding from the school that can be rented out (around $25), which I was very thankful for!

Small Tip #1: If you plan to study abroad in South Korea, I would highly recommend you bring a full-length bath towel if you're not comfortable using a hand towel after showering! Also, Korean bathrooms do not have the shower and toilet flooring separated; basically, the whole bathroom is the shower space, so the floor can get entirely wet, a culture shock I had. 

First Week!

The next day, Friday,  was orientation day! We received information about the classes we were taking. I took Korean Beginner 2 and K-Art: From Museum to Street (I was able to fulfill my Creative Arts gen ed studying abroad). We also went over all the programs and field trips that the Konkuk University interns had planned for us throughout our one-month stay (shoutout to Justin, who is an HPU alumnus!). Students were also able to meet their assigned Korean buddy; my buddy's name was Jayoung, and she's super sweet! We took a tour of campus, and throughout the month, we would hang out during field trips and nights out in the city. 

            

On Saturday, our first field trip was the Waterbomb concert! It's basically a K-pop festival with water fights; everyone gets wet! My favorite artists that I saw were Jeon Somi and Lee Young Ji. The festival also had a lot of pop-ups where you could get free skin care and cosmetic products, which was super fun to see and participate in. It was one of my favorite field trips. 

          

Classes!

Small Tip #2: If you need any school supplies, toiletries, or any basic needs, go to DAISO! Everything is very affordable, with most items below $5-$10. It's close to campus and was a lifesaver!

Studying during the one-month program at Konkuk, I was able to take up to 2 courses total. My morning class, as I mentioned earlier, was Korean Beginner 2, and in the afternoon, I took K-Art: From Museum to Street. I loved both of my classes. In my Korean class, we went over the Korean alphabet, learned grammar, and basic phrases that we can use outside the classroom. My professor was also very kind, and he made sure that everyone could understand the material. My K-Art class was also very interesting; we focused on Korean contemporary art that highlighted social issues, which was very interesting to learn about. Each week, we also had field trips to art museums to look at and research art pieces that we found interesting. Later on, we also made our own traditional Korean kites and a "Geolgae gurim," which is a large-scale painting associated with the Minjung Art Movement in Korea, used for social and political commentary.

Each class was 3 hours long and the school day lasted from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (Wednesdays we had field trips). We got a lunch break from 12:00-1:00pm, where we could eat at the cafeteria or we could purchase lunch at the convenience stores on campus.  

After classes, my friends and I would take the time to explore Seoul! We went to Seongsu, Myeongdong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and so many more places!

We had buddy programs throughout the program, where there were scheduled events we could attend to hang out with our buddies. On Tuesday, we went to a Korean sauna/bathhouse or a jimjilbang! We had the chance to use the hot and cold rooms and massage chairs. There were also public baths that were split based on gender; however, it was required to take all your clothes off, which was a big culture shock (I did not do this)! We also ordered food and a sweet rice drink called sikhye. It was a very fun and relaxing experience. I would definitely recommend it if you ever come to South Korea!

Every Wednesday, we had a scheduled field trip. During the first week, we went to the DMZ, or the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. It was very interesting to learn about the DMZ's history, and we were able to see North Korea from an observatory. We then got lunch together afterwards, bulgogi, which was delicious!

           

Other than that, I spent the rest of the first week in class and exploring around the city afterwards. Thank you for reading this blog post! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me! My email is igarcia8@my.hpu.edu. Stay tuned for my next blog post!