Hello! My name is Valerie and I am a senior at the GW School of Business double majoring in Information Systems and Business. I am studying Business as an exchange student at Yonsei University in South Korea this fall. I’d like to write about a couple essential “things-to-know” about Korea for those who might be interested in studying abroad in Korea or visiting.
1. Apps
Google Maps is not effective in Korea, as a result, most people use either Kakao Map or Naver Map to navigate the streets of Seoul and other parts of Korea. I personally prefer to use Naver Maps since Naver is a popular search engine in Korea. If I look up cafes or restaurants I want to go to on Naver, it automatically connects me to Naver Maps for directions.
Uber is available in Korea however it is not as common. Most people use KakaoT (a transportation app) to call taxis. It is also possible to flag down taxis without an app, but you have to make sure that they are not reserved and some drivers may not be willing to take you to certain locations if they think it is too far.
2. Transportation
Public transportation in Korea is superior to any public transportation in the States. Buses and subways are very clean and easy to navigate. While I would personally rate the DC Metro System as one of the best in America, it cannot compare to Korea. I prefer to use the subway since the ride is smoother and not dependent on rush hour / traffic. Buses can get delayed significantly depending on traffic. However, subway stops are less frequent making it inconvenient for certain locations. For example, the closest subway stop from my dorm is Sinchon Station which is a 20-30 min walk away. However, the closest bus stop is only a 3 min walk away. While I do not mind the walk to the subway station, a lot of my friends prefer the bus especially since the walk to the subway station is quite hilly.
Instead of the Metro card, Korea has the T-money card. You can use it to pay for bus, subway and even taxi fares. The T-money card can be used across the entire country and is not limited to Seoul or a specific city. Recently, Seoul launched the Climate card which allows you to use public transportation for an unlimited amount after paying a monthly flat fee. This card is only available for those between the ages of 19 to 39. While I do think it is worthwhile to invest in a Climate card, it does not work outside of the Seoul area and on buses that go outside of Seoul.
3. Payment
I have not had any trouble using a Visa card in Korea. Some of my friends have opened up bank accounts and gotten debit cards. However, you are not able to get a credit card unless you are staying in the country for more than 6 months.
Group payments can be difficult when you split meals or attend events with Korean students or exchange students from other countries. I joined the jazz club at Yonsei and it is very common to get dinner and drinks after club meetings. I’ve found it very difficult to pay for club activities because I need to pay in cash. It is very difficult to electronically pay Korean students because as foreigners we cannot open up money transfer accounts in Korean until we get our Alien Registration Cards (ARC).
Valerie Kim
Fall 2024
GW Exchange - Yonsei University
GW School of Business
Information Systems & Business Double Major