Study in South Korea - Study abroad destination

Living in South Korea - Study in South Korea

A practical guide to everyday life in South Korea — student cities, housing, transport, food, healthcare, safety, culture, and navigating the language barrier.

Updated March 1, 2026 9 min read

Living in South Korea

Life in South Korea is a unique blend of cutting-edge modernity, deep cultural traditions, incredible food, and a level of convenience and safety that consistently surprises international students. From Seoul's 24-hour lifestyle to Busan's beaches and Daejeon's research community, each city offers a different experience. Understanding what daily life is actually like will help you prepare and make the most of your time.

Student Cities

Seoul — The Capital and Main Student Hub

Population: 9.7 million | Universities: 60+ | Best for: Job market, social life, culture, most programs

Seoul is where the majority of international students study, and for good reason. It's home to the SKY universities, SKKU, Hanyang, Sogang, Ewha, and dozens more. The city offers unmatched access to internships, cultural experiences, and networking opportunities.

Feature	Details
Housing costs	KRW 300,000-700,000/month
Transport	World-class metro (9 lines), buses, KTX station
Key areas	Hongdae (nightlife, arts), Gangnam (business), Sinchon (student area near Yonsei/Ewha), Anam (Korea University)
Pros	Everything is here — jobs, culture, food, social life
Cons	Expensive, crowded, competitive

Busan — Coastal City with Character

Population: 3.4 million | Key university: Pusan National University | Best for: Beach lifestyle, lower costs, seafood

Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and has a completely different vibe from Seoul — more relaxed, beach-oriented, and with a distinct regional identity.

Feature	Details
Housing costs	KRW 250,000-500,000/month
Transport	Metro (4 lines), buses, KTX to Seoul (2.5 hours)
Key areas	Haeundae (beach), Seomyeon (center), PNU area (student district)
Pros	Beaches, seafood, lower costs, unique culture
Cons	Fewer English-taught programs, smaller job market

Daejeon — Science and Research Hub

Population: 1.5 million | Key university: KAIST | Best for: STEM students, research, affordable living

Daejeon is South Korea's science city, home to KAIST, the government's main research institutes, and a cluster of technology companies.

Feature	Details
Housing costs	KRW 200,000-450,000/month
Transport	Bus network, KTX to Seoul (50 minutes)
Key areas	Yuseong (hot springs, KAIST area), Dunsan (commercial center)
Pros	Affordable, research-focused, quiet, easy access to Seoul via KTX
Cons	Smaller city, less nightlife, fewer international students

Daegu, Gwangju, and Other Cities

City	Population	Key University	Best For
Daegu	2.4 million	Kyungpook National	Medical studies, affordable living
Gwangju	1.5 million	Chonnam National, GIST	Arts, culture, lowest costs
Incheon	3.0 million	University of Incheon, Inha	Near Seoul, international feel
Suwon	1.2 million	SKKU (Suwon campus), Ajou	Samsung connections, suburban Seoul

Housing

Types of Student Housing

Type	Monthly Cost (Seoul)	Deposit	Pros	Cons
University dormitory	300,000-600,000	Minimal	Cheapest, social, on-campus	Limited space, rules, curfew (some)
Goshiwon	300,000-500,000	None or 1 month	No deposit, flexible	Very small rooms (3-5 sqm)
Oneroom (wolse)	400,000-700,000	5-10 million	Private, independent	Requires deposit
Shared apartment	300,000-500,000	Split	Social, affordable	Finding compatible roommates
Hasukjip (boarding house)	400,000-600,000	Minimal	Meals included	Less independence

Pro tip for first-year students: Apply for university dormitory as your first choice. It's the cheapest option, helps you make friends quickly, and you avoid the complex Korean rental deposit system. After your first semester, you'll understand the housing market well enough to find off-campus options.

Understanding the Korean Rental System

Korea has a unique rental system you must understand:

Jeonse (key money): A large lump-sum deposit (KRW 50-200 million+) with no monthly rent. The landlord invests the deposit and returns it when you leave. Not typical for students.
Wolse (monthly rent): A smaller deposit (KRW 5-10 million) plus monthly rent. More common for students.
Goshiwon: No deposit; pay monthly. The simplest option for newcomers.

Transport

South Korea's public transport is world-class and incredibly affordable.

Seoul Metro

Lines: 9 subway lines plus additional lines connecting suburbs
Hours: 5:30 AM - midnight (roughly)
Cost: KRW 1,400 (base fare, T-money card) — goes up slightly with distance
Quality: Clean, punctual, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned, signs in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese

Buses

Available in all cities; comprehensive routes
Same T-money card works for transfers (free transfer within 30 minutes)
Seoul has over 400 bus routes including express buses

KTX (Korea Train Express)

Route	Duration	Cost (Standard)
Seoul - Busan	2h 30min	KRW 59,800
Seoul - Daejeon	50min	KRW 23,700
Seoul - Daegu	1h 40min	KRW 43,500
Seoul - Gwangju	1h 50min	KRW 44,100

T-money Card

Get a T-money card at any convenience store (KRW 2,500) and load it. It works on:

All subway systems
All city buses
Most taxis
Some convenience stores
Lockers at train stations

Food

Korean food is one of the highlights of living in South Korea. It's varied, flavorful, and remarkably affordable for students.

Student Budget Food Options

Option	Cost (KRW)	Notes
Campus cafeteria	3,500-6,000	Best value; Korean set meals
Kimbap restaurant	3,000-5,000	Quick meals; kimbap, ramyeon, bibimbap
Convenience store	2,000-4,000	Triangle kimbap, cup noodles, bento boxes
Street food	2,000-5,000	Tteokbokki, sundae, hotteok
Korean BBQ	10,000-15,000	Group dining; pork belly popular
Delivery apps	7,000-15,000	Baemin, Yogiyo, Coupang Eats — free delivery common

Dietary notes:

Halal food: Growing but still limited. Seoul has halal restaurants near Itaewon and university areas. Homecooking or imported halal groceries are the most reliable options
Vegetarian/vegan: Challenging in Korea where most dishes contain meat or fish stock. Buddhist temple food (sachal eumsik) is fully vegan. Some dedicated vegetarian restaurants exist in Seoul
Allergies: Korean food uses sesame, soy, and shellfish widely. Peanuts are less common than in Western food

Healthcare

South Korea has an excellent healthcare system. All students must enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI).

Feature	Details
NHI coverage	70% of medical costs
Monthly premium	~KRW 75,000 for students
Hospital visits	Walk-in at most clinics; appointments for specialists
Pharmacy	Separate from hospitals; prescription required for most medications
Emergency	Call 119; go to any emergency room
Dental	Basic procedures covered; cosmetic not covered

Pro tip: Many university health centers provide basic medical services free or at very low cost. For common illnesses, local clinics (uiwon) near campus are efficient and affordable — a typical visit costs KRW 5,000-15,000 copay with NHI.

Compare health insurance options for South Korea

Safety

South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world for students:

Violent crime is extremely rare
Theft is uncommon — people regularly leave bags in cafes unattended
Public transport is safe at all hours
24/7 culture means streets are well-lit and populated at all hours in urban areas
CCTV coverage is extensive in cities
Emergency services are efficient and responsive (112 for police, 119 for fire/ambulance)

Natural hazards to be aware of:

Typhoons (August-September) — rare direct hits but occasional heavy rain
Fine dust (misemeonji) — air quality can be poor in spring; check air quality apps
Monsoon (July) — heavy rain for 2-3 weeks; carry an umbrella

University Culture

Korean university culture has unique features:

MT (Membership Training): Overnight social trips organized by clubs and departments — great for making friends
Festivals: Each university hosts annual multi-day festivals with K-pop performances, food stalls, and activities
Drinking culture: Social gatherings (hoesik) often involve alcohol; don't feel pressured — it's acceptable to decline
Sunbae-Hubae: Senior-junior relationships that shape social dynamics. Show respect to seniors (sunbae) who often mentor you
Study cafes: Koreans study in dedicated study cafes (dokseosil or study cafes) open 24/7

Useful Apps

App	Purpose
KakaoTalk	Essential messaging app — everyone in Korea uses it
Naver Map / Kakao Map	Navigation (more accurate than Google Maps in Korea)
Papago	Korean-English translation (better than Google Translate for Korean)
Baemin / Yogiyo	Food delivery
Coupang	Online shopping (Korea's Amazon)
T-money	Transport card balance and top-up
Subway Korea	Real-time subway navigation

Learning Korean

Even basic Korean dramatically improves your daily life:

Hangul (the Korean alphabet) can be learned in 1-2 hours — it's logical and phonetic
Survival Korean (ordering food, asking directions, basic greetings) takes 1-2 weeks of study
Conversational Korean takes 3-6 months of regular study
University language courses are often free or low-cost for enrolled students
Language exchange with Korean students is widely available on campus

Four Seasons

Season	Months	Temperature	What to Expect
Spring	March-May	5-20C	Cherry blossoms, pleasant weather, fine dust
Summer	June-August	25-35C	Hot, humid, monsoon in July, beach season
Autumn	September-November	10-25C	Stunning foliage, crisp air, best season
Winter	December-February	-10 to 5C	Cold, dry, skiing season, heated buildings

Next Steps

Understand costs and funding — Budget for housing, food, and daily expenses
Check visa requirements — ARC registration and first-week essentials
Work and career options — Part-time work during your studies
Why study in South Korea? — A complete overview of what South Korea offers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best student city in South Korea?

Seoul is the top choice for most international students — it has the most universities, the best job market, and the most vibrant social life. Busan is ideal if you want a coastal city with lower costs. Daejeon is best for STEM students (home to KAIST and government research institutes). Daegu and Gwangju offer the most affordable living with strong national universities.

How safe is South Korea for international students?

Extremely safe. South Korea consistently ranks among the world's safest countries, with one of the lowest violent crime rates globally. It's common to see people leaving bags unattended in cafes, walking alone at all hours, and letting children use public transport independently. Petty theft is rare. Universities have campus security and support services for students.

What is public transport like in South Korea?

Excellent. Seoul's metro system is one of the world's best (clean, punctual, extensive, runs until midnight). All cities have efficient bus networks. The KTX bullet train connects Seoul to Busan in 2.5 hours. A T-money card works on all public transport nationwide. Monthly transport costs are KRW 50,000-80,000. Free Wi-Fi is available on most buses and trains.

Is it hard to find housing as a student in South Korea?

University dormitories are the easiest option — apply early as space is limited. Off-campus, goshiwon (small study rooms) are cheap and require no deposit. Oneroom apartments require a deposit (jeonse or wolse system). In Seoul, housing is more competitive. Outside Seoul, finding housing is easier and cheaper. Most international offices help with housing searches.

What is the food like in South Korea?

Korean food is diverse, delicious, and affordable. Campus cafeterias serve meals for KRW 3,500-6,000. Kimbap restaurants and convenience stores offer meals for KRW 3,000-5,000. Korean BBQ, bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, and tteokbokki are staples. International food is widely available in Seoul. Halal and vegetarian options are growing but still limited outside major areas.

Do I need to speak Korean to live in South Korea?

Basic Korean significantly improves your daily life. While you can survive with English in Seoul (especially around universities), most signs, menus, and administrative processes are in Korean. Hangul (the Korean alphabet) can be learned in a few hours and helps enormously. Google Translate and Papago (the Korean translation app) are essential tools.

What is the weather like in South Korea?

South Korea has four distinct seasons. Spring (March-May) is mild with cherry blossoms. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid (30-35C) with a monsoon season in July. Autumn (September-November) is pleasant with stunning foliage. Winter (December-February) is cold and dry (-5C to -10C in Seoul). Buildings and transport are well-heated.

What is Korean university campus culture like?

Korean university culture is vibrant and social. Major features include: MT trips (membership training — overnight social trips), festivals (each university has annual multi-day festivals with performances), clubs (donari — hundreds of options from sports to arts), drinking culture (hoesik gatherings are common), and sunbae-hubae (senior-junior relationships that shape social dynamics).

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