As a student you can eat a lot - Traditional meals and dishes are one of the most important aspects of any culture. Cuisine traditions in Korea date back to the 13th century, and items like kimchi were part of the cuisine in one of the old Three Kingdoms of Korea, Baekje (18 BCE – 660 CE), even before that. Many classic dishes are still widely consumed. Some restaurants give the dishes their own spins, such as adding cheese and even french fries to the classic braised chicken dish jjimdak. There are so many excellent traditional Korean foods to choose from that you will undoubtedly find something you enjoy! Eating out is inexpensive and a fun way to try new things. Overall, eating and food are quite significant in South Korea. Bap meogeosseoyo?, which means "Have you eaten?" is also a greeting, emphasising the significance of food and eating. Eating is considered as a social event, therefore going to lunch or supper with your friends, classmates, and coworkers is strongly advised. When asked to join, say yes; you may meet new individuals and establish new friends.
If you're a student in Seoul, South Korea, you must visit Norebang - When walking through the streets of Seoul, or any other Korean city for that matter, you will notice signs all over the place. Korean karaoke is known as norebang. "Nore" means "song" or "singing," and "bang" means "room," therefore it literally means "song/singing chamber." It is quite popular in South Korea among people of all ages. You can book a room for a few hours with a group of friends, coworkers, or even by yourself if you want to sing your heart out. If you ever visit Korea, you must try norebang at least once. It is an important aspect of South Korean culture today. After a wonderful supper with a few beers and soju, Norebang is a lot of fun, especially with your friends.
Participate in an international student group - Every Korean university with overseas exchange or degree students should have an international student group. In different universities, the groups go by different names. These groups are usually there to support you, to assist you with everyday problems in your new home nation, and to organise trips to see great areas in South Korea. I strongly advise you to get involved with the organisation! I didn't find out till the second half of the semester, and I regret it. Typically, the students in charge of the group are eager to meet international students. This makes it easier for you to make friends, including with other international students! Students from international student organisations are also a huge assistance when dealing with authorities at the bank, health clinic, and other places. When you are actively involved with the organisation, you will most likely gain a lot more out of your exchange. Participate in the events they plan and have fun! It's a lot of fun, and you'll meet people you wouldn't have met otherwise and see places you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
While studying in South Korea, take part in festivals - Every Korean university holds its own festival, which takes place in May. The history of the university festival extends back 600 years. Typically, the festivals endure a few days. They are free for students at the hosting university. There will be food and drinks for sale, as well as performances by several student clubs within the university. It's fun to watch your pals perform and encourage them. It can be difficult to learn about other institutions' festivals because most material is only available in Korean. For assistance, turn to your Korean friends or your university's international student organisation. You might even discover that there are others in your area who are lovers of the same artists as you and would gladly accompany you. Some institutions require you to purchase festival tickets, which might be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. Other festivals need you to be invited by a university student. The rest are open to all university students and are free.
In South Korea, be adventurous with your education - If you're going to study abroad, choose courses that you wouldn't be able to take at home! Learn Korean, study Korean politics and history, or take a look at Korean pop culture. You will have a greater understanding of your host country and, as a result, of why certain things in Korea are the way they are. It will also be easier for you to adjust to the culture after you have gained a better understanding of it. Your home university may have restrictions or regulations restricting the types of courses you can take to earn credits from them. However, if you are even somewhat interested in culture or history, attempt to persuade your study counsellor that studying these subjects would be beneficial to you. You might be able to take largely compulsory courses plus one or two Korean-related courses.
