There is no such thing as a perfect country. But here are some things to keep in mind when deciding where to go if you are studying abroad.
Pros:
-Great nightlife and there are so many other things to do and see besides drinking and going to clubs if you are not into those things
-Efficient public transportation. One of my favorite things about Korea, especially Seoul, is the public transportation. It is fairly straightforward to understand and most of the things are translated into English and even Chinese and Japanese. The one downside is that it sort of ends early depending on which subway or bus number. Expect most public transportation to end around midnight. But there are 24hr saunas or cafes you can stay at if you miss the last bus.
-Seoul is THE city that never sleeps. I know that most people call New York City as the city never sleeps, but they have not been to Seoul. There are so many other things that are open late at night and there are still a lot of people around 1-2am.
-Safety. It is fairly safe in Korea but it is still a good idea to carry common sense when you are alone and it is dark. There are still a lot of normal people like students even around 10-11pm cause Koreans are known to work or study until late. Also, no one will really steal from you. Most people get their wallets back if they know where they left it and sometimes people run up to you if you drop it.
-Traveling. You can go to many different neighboring countries for a fairly cheap price since everything is pretty close. It is easy to plan a weekend getaway such as going to Japan. Just make sure to not book late during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) or the Lunar New Year because a lot of ticket prices skyrocket since many families go on vacation during those times.
-Tax free. Korea is shopping heaven. Most places do tax refund if you spend more than 30,000 won (roughly $30). Some big places like chain stories or department stores offer your money back at the location, but if not, there are tax refund kiosks at the airport before you go in for security. Make sure to save up all those receipts!
-Food. There are so many food options available and different cafes and restaurants. Don’t use Trip Advisor when you come. If you really want to go where the locals go or find a nice Instagrammable café, use Mango Plate. But, best way is find a friend who can read and search up things in Korean. There are a lot of restaurant and café guides on facebook you can find if you know Korean.
Cons:
-Yellow dust. These days because of the bad air pollution in Asia, the winds carry over most of the dust to the Korean peninsula, especially in the spring. Be sure to download the dust warning app and wear masks that indicate use for fine dust when there are high levels. Newcomers to Korea are more sensitive to the dust, so even if the natives might not wear a mask, make sure you do when there is a high level warning.
-Crowds. Seoul is the biggest and most populated city in Korea. You definitely won’t get the personal space you are used to in public. It may seem rude if someone pushes you when they walk past, but there are a lot of people, it is bound to happen. Also, line 1,2,9, and most subway lines during rush hour are hell. Try to avoid if possible.
-Rush hour. It is bad and traffic is intense, plus drivers are scary in Korea. Enough said.
-Western/international food. It has gotten a lot better in the past years, but a lot of international foods are still “Koreanized.” Thus, don’t expect too much and don’t complain so loudly how it doesn’t taste exactly like home, cause obviously you are in a different country.
-Summer and Winter. Summers in Korea are unbearably hot and humid. I really believe global warming is real because each year it gets hotter and hotter in Korea. The temperatures are high but the humidity is a whole different level. If Korea is extremely hot in the summer, it is the exact opposite in the winter. It is super cold in the winter with temperatures going past -10 degrees Celsius in the peak of winter. Thick padded coats, or long padding as the locals call them, are a must. There is a saying in Korea, “Hot as Africa in the summer and cold as Siberia in the winter.” Yeah welcome to Korea.
Side note:
Be careful of what you say if you speak in English. Most people in Seoul, especially young people, understand English even if they might not speak it since studying English is super important in Korea. So try to remain polite in public.