✨Living in Korea as a Foreigner || Everything You Need to Know

Things You Need to Know During Your Stay! PLUS Survival Korean Phrases

Ready to pack your bags and make your way to Korea soon? Or are you planning to come to Korea in the near future?

In the past 10-15 years, Korea has been a hot spot and a popular destination for travel and leisure, it has also become one of the top choices for language exchange and overseas education.

This beautiful country has so much to offer when it comes to culture, scenery, food, and education.

What are some things you need to know before coming to Korea?

In this article, we will be covering all the things you need to know during your stay in Korea!

⬇️Interested in one of the contents below? Clicking on the link will bring you to your preferred section!

Living in Korea as a foreigner | First few things you need to know

Living in Korea as a foreigner | Making Korea your second home

Living in Korea as a foreigner | Language exchange

Living in Korea as a foreigner | Culture and traditions

Living in Korea as a foreigner | Personal thoughts as a foreigner staying in Korea

Living in Korea as a foreigner | Summary of Korean words

Living in Korea as a foreigner | FAQ’s

Let’s get started!

Living in Korea as a foreigner || First few things you need to know

Be prepared for the weather

“The weather is so unpredictable in Korea..” is one common feedback we hear from most foreigners.

Nonetheless, there will still always be a spike in travellers when it comes to spring Play 봄 and winter Play 겨울 seasons. Chasing cherry blossoms, the perfect cool weather, then, the snow Play 눈 , the dreamy scenes that seem to only appear in K-dramas!

Don’t we all love that perfect weather?

Yes, we do! Imagine dressed in a sweater top, knee-length boots, a light long coat, beret hat – the spring fashion in Korea? Feels like a dream come true ~

But! Something we came to accept is that the weather is unpredictable all year round. Following the season change, the temperature rises and drops drastically overnight. Sometimes, it could be challenging to find the right outfit to match the weather.

At times like this, the weather app is something you have to refer to every day. It does provide a good idea of what the day is going to be like!

Download useful apps

Now you know that the weather app is essential for your stay in Korea, we do recommend Naver Weather.

What are other apps you need as a first-time traveler?

If it is your first time in Seoul, you will be so fascinated by how convenient the public transportation Play 대중교통 is!

Korea boasts one of the most convenient transportation systems in the world, which means you will be able to find your way around easily.

Download the Naver Map or KaKao Map on your mobile, it shows real-time updates which will help you plan your itinerary.

If you need help in communication, download the Papago app, it is one of the most used translator apps by foreigners!

Let us know what other apps you recommend in the comments below!

Living in Korea as a foreigner || Making Korea your second home

Find a suitable accommodation

If you’re going to be in Korea for a short holiday, we believe you will consider a hotel stay or Airbnb to accommodate the next few days of your trip.

But what if you are going to be based in Korea for a considerable period?

One option is to look for accommodation online before your arrival. Although convenient, there could be some downsides as you will not be able to view the property beforehand and the monthly rent is likely to be pricier.

Before we go into specifics, it is recommended that you consider your housing needs.

Budget – how much are you willing to pay per month?

Location & Environment – near to subway station or from your school/workplace?

Amenities – full option or shared facilities?

Once you have an idea of your preferred accommodation, find a real estate office Play 부동산 near your location of choice. They will list out some options and you can opt for house viewing.

Perks of renting through an agency,

The monthly rental cost is lower! Though there is a deposit required, this amount will be returned to you at the end of the rental agreement.

Rental contracts are usually for six months or one year on a renewal basis. Which means you are not bound to an agreement for a long period!

Though most of the time you will be in touch with the owner, there will always be someone in the agency to take care of your requests when any issue arises!

Just keep in mind that..

Electricity, water, and gas bills are usually borne by the tenant but it is a pay-per-use system so you can easily manage this on your own.

Going through a real estate agency means there is an agency fee to pay once the contract is live but on the good side, you are protected by the contract terms legally!

Convenience stores and food delivery

Do you know that in Korea, there are plenty of 24-hour operating convenience stores Play 편의점 ?

It is not shocking to find 3 to 4 convenience stores in the same alleyway!

The brightly lit convenience stores provide a safe surrounding and having it near home, it just gets so convenient to get supplies or food regardless of the time.

15 minutes to get your food delivered?

Yes, it is true! The efficiency of these food delivery Play 배달 apps is truly amazing! Now you get to binge-watch your K-dramas in the middle of the night and satisfy your cravings at the same time!

Lifestyle needs

Moving into a temporary place doesn’t mean you have to give up on decorations or furniture of your liking!

This is why you need to visit Daiso! They have an extensive collection ranging from home decoration, electronics, household products and many more~ The best part is that nothing costs more than KRW5,000!

Any chance you enjoy cooking at home? Usually, you’ll be able to find a local mart near your residence area. However, if you are looking for cheaper alternatives, then go for No Brand outlet! Apart from the competitive prices, they also have meal kits that will potentially save you time from cooking. Now, it’s time to stock up on your snack bar at home!

A Traveller’s Guide to Weather in South Korea | Best Times to Travel & More

Given the size of the country the weather in South Korea is easy to understand and divides nicely into four seasons, making it very easy to make travel plans.

Living in Korea as a foreigner || Language exchange

Meet Korean friends

What’s the best way to learn a new language? None other than meeting locals and learning the Korean way. Aside from picking up the Korean language quicker, you will also be able to learn more about Korean culture, the know-how, or where to find good Korean food. Never know, you could be making friends that will last for a lifetime!

If you’re up for the challenge, check out our services in Seoul such as homestay and group study!

Interested in learning basic Korean online? Refer to our range of classes!

After all, learning a new language requires a lot of effort to practice, practice, and practice!

Part-time job

Ever wondered what it is like having a part-time job Play 아르바이트 in Korea? Sounds like a challenge or adventure outside of your comfort zone, doesn’t it? Yet, it will be the best experience of your life!

Some common part-time jobs you may find would be restaurant serving, a cashier at a convenience store Play 편의점 or a barista at a café☕️

Depending on your visa type, there are some dos and don’ts you have to adhere to.

Generally, Korea has strict requirements for labour, which include part-time or contract work. This includes the work nature, work duration, work location, etc. You must inform the immigration office of any work engagement, otherwise it becomes illegal to stay in Korea.

For more information, please refer to Hikorea.

Discover Seoul // All You Need To Know

Check out our guide to learn more about Seoul, discover the best places to visit, our favourite eateries and everything else about this unique city.

Living in Korea as a foreigner || Culture and traditions

The hierarchy

When it comes to Korean culture, the first few things that come to mind will most likely be respect for elders, formality, and heritage.

So, what is needed to hold this culture and belief in place? And how does it work?

From a young age, children in Korea are taught to show respect to their elders and give importance to social status as well. In Korean society, the reason why there is a hierarchy system is because it segregates how an individual takes on roles and responsibilities. Whether in personal or social situations, the hierarchy provides a foundation for social interactions.

That is why when you start learning the Korean language, you will be exposed to both the casual and honorific tone!

Apart from some Korean basic phrases, here are other dialogues you may find useful!

Cultural differences

Anyone new to the Korean culture will presumably be very curious as to why Korean people do certain things. It may be due to traditions, or regulations but let’s see some cultural differences!

• The 90° bow.. when you meet someone older, when you say hello and bid goodbye

The universal body language used when we meet someone for the first time will probably be a firm handshake, regardless of age or social status. The motion of bowing could be a little excessive as it is mostly seen during a ritual session. But in Korea, it is a gesture of respect and tradition.

• Different ways of calling someone – full name, family name, first name

About the tone of speech, there are also certain ways to call out to someone. Depending on the situation, you must use the correct way to address them.

For example, in school,

For example, at the workplace,

Note: Towards a newly made friend or colleague, use 씨. Only close friends, you may use 이/야. Also, refrain from calling someone with just their full name as it is deemed as impolite. Unless it is full name + 씨, which is commonly used in a workplace or formal setting.

• Korean dating culture – blind dates? matching couple outfits? PDA?

It could be a cultural shock to find couples in matching outfits from head to toe, and being lovey-dovey in public. It also seems like Korean people place significant importance on celebrating special occasions together. Something less common outside of the Asian culture.

How much do you know about the Korean dating culture? Take a look at our article here for a detailed explanation of the Korean dating culture!

Korean Dating Culture 101💖

All You Need to Know About the Dating Culture in Korea PLUS Must-Know Vocab Are you curious about the dating customs in Korea? Is it really as dreamy and romantic as what you normally see in K-dramas? I believe for…

Living in Korea as a foreigner || Personal thoughts as a foreigner staying in Korea

When in Rome, do what the Romans do

A classic saying is, “When in Rome, do what the Romans do“; when in Korea, we should do what the Koreans do!

It is always good to follow the local culture and traditions, get started by trying some of the best Korean food, and visit famous places in Korea!

Some thoughts about living in Korea

From deciding to leave home, to realizing my dream to live in Korea, it has not been the easiest path. But, it is all about being independent, learning a new language, experiencing a part-time job, being able to travel around freely, making new friends, and creating memories that I will never forget!

If you are also keen to start a new experience in Korea or just want to pick up the Korean language, we can help you do so! Contact us or let us know in the comments below⤵️

This concludes some information to get used to the lifestyle and culture in Korea, let’s move on to learn some Korean words that could come in handy for you!

Living in Korea as a foreigner || Summary of Korean words

We hope this article comes in handy for you, can’t wait to see you in Korea soon!

Living in Korea as a foreigner || FAQs

Want More From LTL?

FANCY LEARNING KOREAN? Check out our online Korean courses here.

We offer a 7-day free trial to all online students where you can study Korean 24/7.

Want to study Korean in Korea instead? Our Korean courses in Seoul can either be taken in small groups of no more than 5 students or individually for a more tailored experience.

We even offer incredible homestay experiences in Seoul too.

To top it all off, it certainly doesn’t end with Korean. Check out the other languages we teach 👇🏻