Korea is roughly the size of Kentucky. The entire length of the country can be traversed by car in less than half a day or flown across in just a few hours. Despite its size, there is a plethora of things to do in South Korea, one of the four Asian tigers.
Most students will fly in to South Korea’s economic, political, and social capital: Seoul. It’s also important to remember that many of the universities mentioned in this guide are located in either Seoul proper or a nearby suburb.
Living and going to school in Seoul can make traveling to Korea, and moving around the country, easy and convenient. With a major international airport only forty-five minutes from downtown, air travel can be less stressful than in other countries. Catching a flight to another Asian destination is also quite easy since Incheon International Airport serves as a major hub for the rest of the continent.
Within Seoul, most people will use a combination of the subways, buses, and taxis to get around. All of Seoul’s public transportation systems are clean, modern, and relatively easy to navigate even for an English speaker. Subway lines to extend pass Seoul’s city limits in to surrounding satellite cities to serve daily commuters.
Walking and biking are okay for short distances, but Seoul is a pretty hilly city and you may find yourself short of breath just walking from the bottom of campus to the top.
At some point, most students want to leave Seoul and see a bit more of Korea. If history is an interest, Gyeongju might be a good fit. As the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, there are a lot of historic sites to visit in this city on the southeastern side of the country. If beaches are more compelling, head down to Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea. The small island has been a resort destination for expats and honeymooners alike for some time. There are also planned visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the North/South Korean border.
There is a lot to see and do in Korea but we don’t want to tell you where to go or what to do. Independent exploration is all part of the adventure of studying abroad.
External Links:
Center for Disease Control: South Korea [1]
CIA World Factbook: South Korea [2]
Department of State: South Korea [3]
Department of State: Students Abroad General Website [4]
Study Abroad Student Handbook [6]