Also, I just published this on Martina's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA! She's still asleep now, so it's time for me to make her BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST! Yay :D
Lol I feel for you Leigh. I'm a Korean and my highschool dorm was like that,to. But it was not like no one tried to find more and more sophiscated methods of rulebreaking lol. For instance, we use to 'fish' out foods when we order them in. We sent our laundry basket out the window after tying it up with jumpropes with money in it and the delivery guy took the money and put in the foods. We had a signal and everything.
For this week's TL;DR Martina and Leigh are talking about being an international student in Korea, and how the schools get in your way of getting freaky-deaky!
Aligirl8 Mine is off-campus, so the rules might not apply the same way unlike what Leigh stated. But then again, if my afternoons are free, as they will be, since my classes are only from 9 till 12 or 1pm, I expect to be out and about after that time until 9pm, whatever the cause(whether outside meeting with friends, inside the gym, or just having fun). And yes, I expect to ask to sign out for the weekends when travelling!
Same here. I signed up for Ewha's international housing and how I'm like terrified... that doesn't sound fun at all. My dorms at uni here in Canada are so chill, there's common rooms, and you can have people over whenever you want. :/
haruharuyeoja Right now, I'm studying at Ewha, and I'll let you know that you really don't have anything to worry about. It's not anything like what Martina and Leigh have discussed about in this video. Is there a curfew? No. But they do have the gates up at a certain time, and it freaked me out the first time, but it's up for a while and when it's closed, it's pretty easy to open. (My friends supposedly says you can just lift the bar and boom, you're in the campus.) This is the first time I'm hearing this, and I'm pleasantly surprised there's so many rules. Very nice to know. :)
seriously!? Well that's a relief! Do the gates go up at night, then? I just don't want to go out at night with friends and then be locked out of the campus! But if it's easy to open, then that's great! Thanks so much for clarifying things!
As an exchange student from America staying at Yonsei University, Wonju campus, I can say this video is 100% correct. The school is insanely strict about curfew and even lock the gates of the school so that you can't even sleep in the library if you aren't at least on campus after curfew. There is also nowhere that a group of friends can get together and hang out or watch a movie. The dorms here are split in half - half of the building is the guy's dorms and the other half is the girl's dorms. You need a key card to not only get into the dorm building, but to also get into your half of the dorm. We are allowed to have food and drinks in our rooms but absolutely NO alcohol (they even do random room checks). There is a "kitchen on the 1st floor which consists of 2 hotplates and 2 microwaves. My dorm room has a total of 4 girls living in it and is about half the size of my bedroom at home. The bathrooms are communal and there are only 4 shower stalls (with no doors) per floor. That means 40 girls are sharing 4 showers (and 2 of our shower heads are broken). You can't flush TP and the bathroom gets cleaned maybe once a week so it get really gross really fast. But other than that, I've been here for about 2 1/2 months now and I am having a great time. All of the students here are really nice and always want to make new friends. If living in a small dorm with a curfew is what it takes to make life-long friends, then I say it's well worth it. - sorry for the long post. :)
+Brittany Fuller-Hallmark thx for sharing. I wonder though havent anyone tried to jump the gate or something? (what i would do lol) cause even though their are cctv cameras, they arent staring at it all the time
A piece of advice I would say is that if you are new to Korea, for the first week or until you learn pretty basic Korean, GO EVERYWHERE WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK KOREAN. This might seem a bit obvious but hey, you can never be too careful. Yes, there are some tourist booths(?)(idk what they're called lol) but there will be times where you need a translator to help you. And also, be careful when shopping in the little markets on the street (i.e. in Dongdaemun).There are SOME (notice the SOME) people specifically looking for foreigners who can't really speak Korean/old people, to trick them into buying something WAY too expensive. So just use your better judgement. You probably won't run into one of them, but just be aware of a deal that might be too good to be true. Another thing that I realized while I visited, was to ask for samples! Most of the time at beauty shops and such, they will give you a handful of samples with your purchase (depending on how much you buy, usually). If they don't, don't be afraid to ask! You might find a new product that you love! And it helps when you're on a budget. (:
I have also been in Korea for exchange, i lived in the SKKU dorm for the first semester and it seems that our dorm was much better than Leigh's. we had one big common kitchen where we could cook but we also had to share our tiiiiny dorm room with another student. and these dorms were only for exchange students, so for local students or free-movers there were no facilities. The second semester i lived in an actual apartment but that was heaven's luck and it's suuuuper hard to get an apartment in korea (also shared this with another student) so don't even think about it. i had friends who lived in goshiwon's/goshitel's and they said their places were nice. BUT REMINDER: the rooms in goshiwons are tiny! you might think you know what that means but you don't. think of tiny and make it half the size!! haha the Finland thing at the end, i'm from Finland as well and it's all true! but people think it's easy because we get student money, it's not, it usually is barely enough money to pay the rent. and maybe you will have 20 euros extra after that, and you know you cannot live with that for the whole month. BUT! also i know that we're much better of than people in most countries. thank you for this video EYK, i think it will be very useful for many people coming to Korea and not knowing where to live!! ^^
Learning about the Goshiweons is super helpful! I'm planning to go to Seoul for a semester in fall of 2016 for a language program, and I've been nervous about the prospect of living in a room with other people since my anxiety makes it so that I need a significant amount of alone time. A goshiweon sounds like the perfect solution. :D
Its strange cause when i was at EWHA we didn't have a curfew in our dorm, also the rooms had mini fridges and there was a kitchenette on every floor, there was also a reception area downstairs where we could have guests meet us, so I guess its different for each university/dorm
01:25 kinda relieved to hear that, cause I applied for a dorm at Ewha, but unfortunately they won't tell me before the end of july or something if I actually get one :/ I was thinking of living in a hasukjib for the second semester to practise my korean- but not if it's too expensive. oh and happy birthday martina! :D
Hoang Anh Dang seriously? does it matter when you apply? I think I applied early enough (yes, I am an exchange student^^), but a friend of mine applied two weeks later and now I'm a bit worried if she gets a dorm or not ;-; are/were you an exchange student at ehwa?
I was an exchange at ewha last semester. There are two whole international buildings for exchange students and also graduate dorm A and B, where exchange students also can live in, so chill. Last year I applied few days before the deadline and got the best option - international house 2 which is the newest building and where all the rooms have own REAL bathrooms (the shower is separate - not connected to the sink so the toilet paper wont get wet xD). If u have any questions regarding ewha, or the life in korea or even travelling in korea then feel free to ask!!!
Hoang Anh Dang that is amazing! *-* I'll just make a note of your name and will come back to you as soon as I have questions! at the moment I only have this one: when did you book your flight ticket? cause I've been wondering what would be the time when these kind of flights are cheapest. thanks a lot!! :)
Nabiya Ri actually the earlier the better :) the tickets tend to be cheaper when u buy earlier. I bought mine around 1 month before the flight and it was $65 more expensive than the first price. Where r u from? U can always send me a private message.
The TL;DRs help out a lot! After highschool I plan on moving to Seoul and live with a friend so this help out a lot. Oh and Happy Birthday Martina! I wish you all the best :)
I was on a university exchange to China last year and I couldn't believe how smothered the students are, it was REALLY shocking and made me appreciate my student life in Ireland. The students living in university accommodation have to have four bunk beds in ONE room, sometimes more. They were living on top of each other. They had to share showers, toilets, everything. They could only eat in the cafeteria (it was really cheap though) and they had a curfew. Many of the students went to cheap local hotels for 'sexy time.' Haha My female friend and male friend were bringing something over to the girl's dorms to one of the students and the house mother literally chased them out with a broom shouting at them. Guys weren't allowed to set foot into the girls building, vice versa. It seriously reminded me of boarding school. I wonder if this strict policy is just common practice in Asia in general? Also the students living at home had curfews and alcohol was something they were told to keep away from.
You guys should defenitely make a show about relationship/marrige advise/talk show . My parent never had relationship like yours so you are like textbook for me!
Thank you for the information! It's really helpful, and I was waiting for another 'International Student' video! ALSO: Happy birthday, Martina! I hope your day is full of relaxation, fun, and love! (That birthday breakfast should be a great kick-start for your day!) :)
Martinaaa! You should interview an international student in high school. I go to an international school for middle and high school. It would be cool to see if their experience is/was the same as mine or not.
I have lived in four different places here around Korea University (one each semester in grad school, haha). I called my Gosiwons my "boxes." They're incredibly small but I kept moving on up each semester and now I'm in a one room. But I always had to pay deposits for mine. $100 to one month's rent, $450. If you don't have arrangements, you can use this website goshipages.com and search the areas. You pay month to month so if you hate the one you move into, then move onto the next one!
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm planning to study in Korea soon and I had no idea what I was gonna do for housing, this is so helpful. Thank you again :)
A lot of student accommodation in England are similar to what Leigh described - depending on the university. I always had to sign my guests in and have lived in places with curfews.
I have stayed in my uni for about 3 years now and most of what Leigh said, is true here as well. Curfew is at 2am, points system that determines who stays and who goes, no alcohol (we have been able to sneak some in before). Although we have two people per room not four. One piece of advice though, just be aware if the dorm you stay in has individual controls heating for all rooms. Our uni usually shuts off heating (for the rooms and shower) during the winter months when most of the students have returned home. The heating system doesn't have control valves for each room and it is too expensive to heat empty rooms so everyone else left in the dorm at this time suffers.
I live close to a big university, and I've heard the dorms are extremely tight. Meaning my bedroom would hold 6-8 people. (I live in a big house so it's hard to explain because I'm not used to smaller, more average rooms.) so I would guess an average bedroom, if it would be a dorm would hole 4-6 people. And you have to live I think your first 2 years on campus, or at home. Then after that time, you can get your own apartment. Although the dorms are small, there are a lot of advantages. There is a big open gym which is free for the college students. There is also an Apple store just for the students, and if your iPad breaks, they fix it for free, and you get anther IPad to use while yours is being fixed. It's crazy!
If you're going to Yonsei University their international dorms offer single or double rooms (Not 4 to a room) and there are no curfews. There is a "sign up" sheet for staying out overnight BUT it doesn't mean anything, no one ever does it and no one cares. The guest thing still applies, you're not allowed people of other gender in your room but same gender is okay. There's also common rooms on every floor (Which are co-ed until a certain time of night). The point system exists there (100 points) but is hardly enforced, you can get away with stuff if you're smart about it but they are strict about opposite gender staying over etc. Still strict but not as bad as the dorms Leigh describes.
Although I have never been a student in Korea, I did study in Japan. The only thing I can say, which is irrelevant if you are in a dorm like Leigh described, being around the language all the time really helps you learn it. In Japan I was lucky enough to be with a host family, and they became like my family. It was really helpful when learning Japanese! Anyway, good luck to anyone studying abroad anywhere! It's worth it! And I love seeing Leigh in front of the camera!! Love you Leigh, my not turning in homework buddy XD
i did not quite understand...how did she sing up for a language programme...what programme did she applied to?i would like to apply also....sorry i know this was posted a loooong time ago😓😓😖
Love this type of videos. Leigh I hope one day You could tell us more about Your decition to move from USA to Korea for studies. Your draw my life could be very intersting.. : ]
I was an exchange student in Seoul National Uni and stayed in a dorm with 6 students (where a dorm have 3 rooms in which 2 students have to share a room) and they didnt have that much rules. NO CURFEWS. i was out late every other night. and my friends come over all the time. The only rule i remembered clearly was NEVER EVER bring an opposite gender to the dorm. They said there was once a few of exchange students went partying and one of the dude was sooooo drunk so these 2 girls who are his friends couldnt leave him dead drunk (apparently there wasnt any male friends left) and brought him up to the dorm and left him sleeping on the living room sofa, a korean girl woke up in the morning, saw a man sleeping there and CRIED and called up her parents, the school and yada yada yada, the exchange students were then forced to leave the school.
My dorm experience was completely different! I studied at Hanyang University for six months and I lived on campus in the international dorms (the ones near the Women's University. There are other nicer international dorms closer to Wangsimni), but the great thing about HYU's dorms is that they are FREE FOR AMERICAN STUDENTS. We also had a point system, curfew, rules, etc., but they were never enforced (at least for myself). I stayed out all night pretty often, sometimes not coming back for the whole weekend, and I never got in trouble. We also didn't have a kitchen, but we ordered food all the time, even though there were signs around the dorm that said we couldn't. I've had friends come over and chill some nights after clubbing, and one time my boyfriend had to come into my room to help me move some things, and the doorman was just like "lol whatever". I'm not sure if the rules were more strictly enforced for Korean students, since none of my Korean friends lived on campus, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were.
here is Saudi Arabia we do have dorms but not a lot of people go to it cuz we live with our parents and the public university doesn't have university fees and the college or university gives the student money like monthly and if you get a good GPA at the end of the year they give you more money like a reword for your hard work .
My dorm experience in Korea was awesome!!!! I even miss it!!! I went to Sogang University and stayed in their dorms. You room with one other person and the size of the dorm is enough space for two people. There are rules about staying out late and what not but as an International student you get away with just about anything. All the exchange students in the dorms didn't pay attention to curfew. We were allowed one late entry during curfew per day or just get 10pts deducted.
Martina, you're shirt is awesome! Also, I heard that dorms are being taken over by international students these days, so you don't really have opportunities to practice Korean if you live there, as most people are speaking English. I was planning to do a homestay because you really NEED to use korean when in a korean's home (especially if your native language isn't listed as a language the family knows.)
I totally cannot agree! We do have a curfew at my school but food is allowed, we have a fridge in each dorm room, we have a lounge on every floor for meeting friends, we have a kitchen on every floor n etc!
Yeyeahh come to Finland people! University life awaits for me this autumn..I'm going to come to Korea as an exchange student within two years so it'll be interesting how well I can survive in Korea haha^^
I was an exchange student at one of Korea's top universities and I lived in a dorm too, but it was nothing like described in the video. This university had two kinds of dormitories though; on campus and off campus. The on campus were the dorms with the Koreans and American exchange students, these had the rules and curfew like in the video. The off campus dorms (which were most of the time just across the street from the university) were mainly for the other exchange students and had no curfews, few rules, we had our own kitchen and bathroom, we had parties there (room parties, roof parties, balcony parties), we could bring in alcohol and food etc... We had some rules but they were not enforced at all. We brought in guests and everything. It was pretty awesome.
And how was the inside dorms like?... Oh wait u probably dont know bcz u did not live in one... So u cant say ur dorm was nothing like hers bcz no DUHH! It was nothing like hers.. U had an off campus dorm..?
Basssiiie Ugh, I'm starting to re-evaluate my choice of accommodation at Korea University :(. I at least want to be able to have a drink or two come the weekend.
Since you were doing the intensive language program how were you paying for tuition, food, housing, etc when you first started... Did you have a job while you were in the program? Did you save up money? What is it that you/other students did? I want to become a part of EPIK, but I want to also be able to understand and speak Korean... I'm trying to teach myself at the moment. I'm getting there, but it sure does take a lot of dedication without a teacher.
Happy Birthday Martina!! Wishing you the best of wishes on your special day!! I hope you have a fabtastic day today with rainbows and sparkles and unicorns!!... With cake!! Xoxo
I'm planning on studying in Korea and this helps a lot for housing. I have 2 more years to get everything together *hint still in high school*. I've been talking to my counselor about out of the country universities. Hope I do get there :)
I'm currently an exchange student at Korea University and living in one of the student dorms there. Actually, we don't have a curfew or that kind of strict rules, although the male/female rule, the alcohol rule and 'food' rule still exists. However, there's a kitchen on the first floor with a relaxation area where you can meet up with people, along with a relaxation room on every floor. It's surprisingly chill, but we don't really have any sort of 'house meetings' or such. That said, I am planning to move out this summer to have a different experience somewhere else.
If someone is to live in an international dorm they will not have to worry about many of these things such as curfew, place to study, or place to keep and cake food. I go to Ewha as an exchange student and the only major rule here is no guest past 10pm. If this rule is broken eviction is likely. Also Alcohol is not allowed in the dorms but no one is checking for it. Also each room has a mini refrigerator, every floor has a kitchen like room that includes a microwave, toaster oven, tables, and a television with cable. In the basement there is a Kitchen with multiple stoves, several study rooms, convenience store and laundry room. However if someone is to stay in the regular undergraduate dorms for Korean students many of the things Leah said apply. I think they make special rules for international students.
Happy Birthday Martina! I was considering studying in Korea or Japan so this was really helpful! I'm not really fond of rules and curfews though so I might have a bit of a problem if I choose to study in Korea.
I'm a Singaporean who went to exchange to Daejeon a while back in KAIST. I stayed in the dorm there and they didn't have any rules, me and my exchange friends could go back as late as 2-3AM and nobody would care! Plus there is common areas with TV and stuff, and we could eat in our own rooms! Didn't know other dorms in Korea are so strict...
I'm surprised more colleges dont. It was offered at My uni and my community college to learn abroad. Just have to meet GPA requirements and find a scholarship that sponsor's the study abroad program. These scholarships usually are offered by the school.
I can totally understand. Any other degree, and I would have snatched up any kind of exchange opportunity, but studying med, things don't really work out..
I'm Australian, but what i meant was that if I went to another university to study medicine, it may not be appropriate to what I'm learning by my country's standards and regulations. That, and the idea that until I actually become a doctor, it doesn't actually do me much good to learn about how other countries work..
I was in Korea for an exchange for a month and the dorm where I lived in (external dorm/officetel for international students by a university) was really great! The room was nice, clean and comfy, with a tiny kitchen counter, equipped with a microwave oven, fridge and washing machine. There was a nice little toilet in it too which was totally great because I can never do communal showers. Only problem is they had just one chair and one study table which made no sense because the room is meant to accommodate 2 students. They had a curfew too but it was never really imposed since the security guard would clock off at a certain time, and all you needed to do was just to key the password to the entrance and you'd be able to get in. They had a little area for people to use and watch TV, but it was on the first floor just outside the dorm and there was no heater system at all. Almost froze to death while watching the Gayo Daejuns XD
Konkuk University dorms is the same. All the rules (including point systems) are strongly enforced for international students at the dorms. You are only allowed to get 15 points and staying out all night is 2 points so.... it only takes 8 times to get kicked out. Which actually happens some of the international students they got kicked out and then had to write a letter apologizing to get back into the school dorms for next semester.......Intense!
I am going to Dankook University this summer and this is exactly what i need right now! Thank you for the insights! I cant wait to see S.Korea=) and I hope I get a glimpse of TOP or Lee Minhyuk
here in Saudi Arabia the government actually gives university students student allowance it's not that much but it helps when ever you need something it's about 240$ not much! but like i said it's to help students... Happy birthday Martina! ^^
I'll be in Korea in the spring of 2015 as an exchange student and I did not even know this... The people in my dormitory are like family to me, and it is not unusual to see people studying together in the halls or having group conversation... I think I'll miss that part of dorm life the most...
I'm an exchange student in Ajou University (located in Suwon, 40 minutes bus ride from Seoul) for the second semester and I live also in the dormitory. It's not exactly like 5-star hotel, it could be a lot better but it is satisfying and I started to feel like home eventually. We have similar set of rules (some of them are in fact ridiculous for someone who has come from western). Some rules just get penalty points and breaking some rules can lead to the dismissal from dormitory. At least dormitory in Ajou University doesn't have a curfew and you can have your food in the dormitory. In fact, there are so many delivery guys going back and forth on the campus, delivering the food to the dormitory. Lots of exchange students do complain about the rules being too strict, given the background where they come from they don't have any rules. For example, not even drinking beer is allowed. And living in the dormitory in Korea - they almost feel as if they're caged. I personally didn't really have big issues with the rules, but I can totally understand the people who did. This is the reason why so many exchange students start to break the rules in the end of semester. Just few days before they're leaving the country. Because they're leaving anyway, they won't feel any guilt or fear and start to break them. Feeling like being in a cage for four months, they let their steam out. Of course, I'm not talking about all of them, but still. Last semester... one dude actually got kicked out of the dormitory on the Christmas Eve just three days before his flight back to home.
The dorm rules are pretty much like the boarding schools in Malaysia. I experienced it during my high school years when I went to a boarding school, we had to be in our rooms and must switch our lights off at 10:30pm. For uni and colleges though, I'm not so sure because I'm studying in an open university so I didn't have to live in a dorm. Although before I entered the uni, I went to a pre-U college or matriculation college for a year and the rules are the same but pretty much looser than in boarding schools. You have to be back before 5pm if you go for an outing during the weekends and if you plan on staying outside, you need permission. You are not allowed to go out during the weekdays unless it's an urgent matter. Lights off rule also applies here but it's not as strict as boarding schools.
I'll be in Korea at sejong univeristy and I want to know more about social things. Where students go, how to meet friends, nightlife, MT and things like that!
after my first year of uni, so in a year & a half or so, my first j-term's going to be in korea & i'm ungodly excited :3 i can't wait to be immersed in the culture for a month or so
What are Korean graduations like? In the US, graduates wear a cap and gown and people cheer loudly (and sometimes obnoxiously) after each person's name is announced. Is graduation a big event where graduates get gifts from family members? I'm interested in what it's like there.
I was an exchange student in Chung Ang University! Their Blue Mir dorm was really awesome I felt like I was living in a hotel suits lol everything was nice except the housing office people are kinda rude to international students because we are the ones who usually cause troubles , the crew time was the pain in the ass. It was horrible unless one of the security was EXTREMELY nice and so cool that he would just let us sneak in after curfew time!
I studied abroad last summer in China. The college that I was at everyone had curfew even the grad. students, and I think they all had to live on campus. However, my group and I stayed in a hotel since were only there a couple weeks.
I stayed in the SungKyunKwan dorms and they were pretty lenient on the rules. Curfew was enforced but everything else like food, drinks, and having friends over were fine.
I'm still in my early years of high school but I hope to study in Korea when I'm older. I still have 3 more years of high school and I'm sure I'll do some kind of college in my own country first, but Korea is top on my list for a studying abroad. It just seems super amazing.
OMG I remember over the summer I was doing an internship at Hong Kong University and their orientation camp for their dorms and for school is like freakin rush week for fraternities and sororities in the U.S. but less towards the professional side and more towards group bonding activities
I am actually an international exchange student in Korea right now. I go to Chonnam National University in Gwangju which is about 3-4 hours south of Seoul. I live in a dorm and I really do understand where Leigh is coming from. I have only been here for 3 months, and I find it a hassle to have a one o'clock curfew everyday including the weekends when you want to hangout and drink with your friends. A lot of my friends who want to stay out over the curfew just stay out of the dorm until 5 o'clock when the doors open. You do not loose and points if you do that. Dorm life is TOTALLY different from American dorm life. In my dorm in America, my neighbors were girls and we did not have a curfew. It is always quite in the dorm because people are ALWAYS studying... I appreciate the quietness though. haha. My roommate is Korean and he studies a lot because of the high competition for employment in Korea. There are many great things about living in the dorm as well. First, it is insanely cheap! Since I am an exchange student, my housing is actually free (so I saved about 2,000 dollars) there. Another great thing about dorm life is that you are on campus and close to many stores, restaurants and the restaurants are SUPER cheap. You can have a delicious meal between $3-$5. It is also a great way to meet Koreans (especially if you want to learn korean). On my campus, there are 2 gates that are really close to my dormitory that lead to all the restaurants and stores you will need. There is also about 3 cafes that are literally a 30 second walk from my dorm. My dorm is also connected the student cafeteria. Like Leigh and Martina said, it is not that good. LOL. One thing that I do not really like about campus life is that I have experienced many situations in which random people will walk up to you and try to get your personal information. My korean friends told me to be careful because there are many strange cults in Korea. This is just from my personal experience only. Haha. Overall, I love living in my dorm because it is free and it is quite comfortable. I will be here for a year or more just as an exchange student. I love Chonnam National University so much. There are not that many foreigners if you are looking to be at a university with a large population of foreign students.
I personally didn't study abroad because I've already lived abroad and there is one con. Some credits don't transfer... You still have to pay for a semester and unless you have a surplus of credits, it may not be ideal. I really wanted to go to France too but ultimately, I'll settle for travelling.
At my uni, we have suitemates (multiple people to a room), curfew, certain visiting hours (and the door has to be wide open and the guests have to stand the entire time--no feet can leave the floor), and drinking/smoking aren't permitted. I thought we had it bad, but my goodness... Korea has us beat
I was studying in Korea at Seoul National University from September to December 2013, and although I never got a dorm, from what my friends told me, the experience is very similar to the what is explained in the video. Instead I got a Goshiwon, which was fairly easy, I just went there, and I got a room. The manager's english was "okay", and by that I mean, he was understandable, but at times it was a bit confusing or I had to think about what he meant. At home I live at a really social dorm, so when I experienced the Goshiwon's kitchen, it was disappointing. Most of the time when I made food there would be no one there, and if there were someone else there they were most likely Korean students or old Korean bachelors, both of which tried to avoid conversations. Besides that though, most of the food I made was a combination of the free ramen and kimchi. Because food on campus was so cheap, I preferred that over making my own food, and the rest of the time I was often eating with other exchange students. All in all though, I prefered my Goshiwon over what stories I heard of the dorms. Also, in my experience, as an exchange student, you rarely cook your own food, so the kitchen is not really of importance, what matters is your room, and if you are willing to share that with someone else. In general, my friends didn't like sharing it with Koreans, but they accepted it because it was so cheap. The prices were something in the lines of: Goshiwon: 360.000 won/month* Dorm: 600.000/semester * You can get cheaper, but I wanted a window and my own shower/toilet, the window was really tiny though.
Hey.. I am in Korea currently, about 7 months now. I stayed in a dorm and it wasn't as bad as mentioned. I guess it depends on which school you went to. I am attending the language institute at Yonsei University and stayed in SK Global House (an International dorm). The facilities were great (shared kitchen, personal toilet) and we do not have curfew. We had a public area on each floor where we could watch TV and also eat. We even have microwave oven and public refrigerator (I have a personal mini fridge in my single room). A study room too. The thing is, it is quite expensive to stay there. We do also have some standard rules. We were allowed to bring friends, but like said, we have to sign them in and they can only be there for 2 hours. No one of the opposite gender can enter our room. No alcohol too.. and points system only minuses. And yes, walls are really thin here in Korea. I can hear like everything from the next room. It's annoying. It sounded so scary when you said it. Just so someone doesn't get the wrong idea, there are actually pretty decent dorms here in Korea. :)
***** Hi Eliza, There are a few dorms in Yonsei University so choose the right one. The international dorms are way better than the others that are normally for Koreans. They have 2 international dorms, the SK Global House and the International House. These 2 are pretty new. if you prefer staying alone in a en suite room, your choice is SK Global House. They have single room. and all the rooms in SK Global house has its own shower and toilet. Every floor has a common study area and a lounge with TV, microwave and refrigerator. For International House, they only have sharing room (2 person, 4 person? in one room) and sharing toilet. i stayed in a single room in SK Global house and i really liked it. Both have laundry facilities (Washer and dryer). SK House has a shared kitchen in B3 of the building while International House has kitchen on each floor (if i am not mistaken). And no, these dorms do not have curfew. Check out their Website: ih.yonsei.ac.kr.
***** i pay by term. and you can find the prices on their website. I'm just here to learn korean. I'm here just to study korean, so i guess I'm studying abroad?
How can a american go to Korea for study? How expensive is it? Is it hard for foreigners to find a collage? I would really like to study in Korea (and possibly end up moving) but don't know where to start. It would be a big help to know how to find all I need to find a collage and i would need to do before hand.
I am a university student in Korea, been for over a year. Can confirm a lot of the things, but our dorm doesn't have a curfew at least, and we have kitchens :) And they don't check our stuff :D
I'm attending Kyung Hee University and as an exchange student from the US I was able to get into the dormitories. There are three different kinds here I believe. There is Sehwawon, a traditional style dorm housing hundreds of students, both Korean and foreign. There are 2 students per room and they have a commons area, shared cooking facilities, a fridge in each room, and a gym. They do have the 12am curfew though and the managers pay close attention and can enter your room at any time. I live in the International student housing which is supposedly only international students, but our dorms are basically an apartment building and the school rents certain floors so there are Koreans living here as well. The dorms are supposedly split into male and female so one has only guys and two have girls. The rules say we can't have alcohol, be in after 1 am, or have guests, but other students have and didn't get caught. We often hear male voices from the stairwell so that says how much they're actually watching. The other dorm is just for Korean students I believe. I don't know anyone who lives there so I know very little about it. I was originally in the language program here and now I'm in courses in English but our language programs are part of the International Education Department so it was part of the university and I was easily able to get into the dorms. I do know a fourth year international student though that was told to leave Sewhawon because new freshmen were coming and they needed the space.
Omg my dorm was not that bad! I don't even remember any rules like that. The only dorm rule that my dorm had was no boys in the dorms. We also had a kitchen on the 3rd floor and on the 4th floor there was a laundry room. Maybe it was because it was an international dorm so it wasn't as strict. :x
I'm going to study in Japan next year, and basically the dorm rules over there are pretty much the same - I'd like to keep my freedom and privacy, so I'm going to look for an appartement
omg thank you for making this TL;DR! Last time when you guys talked about key money and stuff and that it was insane expensive I was pretty scared because I'm not saving money at this moment... Xd But now I feel bit better that you can get like rooms and pay rent per month. So I still can come to Korea~~
Omg Martina did you hear that there is gonna be a sailor moon remake this summer? I'm so excited! It's said that they will fallow the manga and redraw the girls like in the manga. Oh and happy birthday to you!!!!!
Yes the curfew thing is true OTL However! I'm currently studying abroad at Konkuk University for the semester and basically, if you're only staying for a semester the curfew thing doesn't really matter... because the worst that can happen is that you will be banned from living in the dorm the next semester... and if you are only staying for one semester that doesn't really apply to you. Yay loopholes!
On one side I'm excited but on the other side also a bit afraid/ nervous. Next year I'm doing a language program in Taiwan. I don't want to stay on campus because I want a room for myself, plus I don't want to have a curfew (last year I stayed on a campus in China and the curfew was really irritating). I would want a place close to school and close to a metrostation, I want a kitchen (in my room or just in the building) because I don't want to only eat out and ofcourse an affordable place! So yeah I really hope I find a nice place. Comforting to hear there are people out there who go through the same things.
most dorms in Malaysia have such curfews too but regulations bout food and all that... yea usually they have a stove at least. the food is no problem. my brother lived on biscuits, instant noodles and nasi bujang (white rice and fried egg) most of his dorm life.
Also, I just published this on Martina's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA! She's still asleep now, so it's time for me to make her BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST! Yay :D
Happy birthday Martina I hope your birthday is great and many more :3
Happy birthday martinaaaaa
Happy Birthday!! (Mine is right after on May 2nd) :D
Aww~! Happy Birthday Martina!!!
happy birthday!
Lol I feel for you Leigh. I'm a Korean and my highschool dorm was like that,to. But it was not like no one tried to find more and more sophiscated methods of rulebreaking lol. For instance, we use to 'fish' out foods when we order them in. We sent our laundry basket out the window after tying it up with jumpropes with money in it and the delivery guy took the money and put in the foods. We had a signal and everything.
lol what? seems like i need to meet you up for some tips
damn, sounds a little like in a prison xD
sounds adventurous... the food mustve tasted even better in those situations
Dude thats epic haha
hahahaha the food should have definitely tasted delicious
For this week's TL;DR Martina and Leigh are talking about being an international student in Korea, and how the schools get in your way of getting freaky-deaky!
Happy b-day Martina
Finish subtitles are now up!
+Eat Your Kimchi gosh I was sooooo surprised to see finnish subs pop up :D thumbs up!
So I'm studying abroad in Korea next semester and I signed up for dorm housing. Now, I'm terrified
Let me know how that goes? Maybe it won't be all that bad
Aligirl8
Mine is off-campus, so the rules might not apply the same way unlike what Leigh stated. But then again, if my afternoons are free, as they will be, since my classes are only from 9 till 12 or 1pm, I expect to be out and about after that time until 9pm, whatever the cause(whether outside meeting with friends, inside the gym, or just having fun). And yes, I expect to ask to sign out for the weekends when travelling!
Same here. I signed up for Ewha's international housing and how I'm like terrified... that doesn't sound fun at all. My dorms at uni here in Canada are so chill, there's common rooms, and you can have people over whenever you want. :/
haruharuyeoja Right now, I'm studying at Ewha, and I'll let you know that you really don't have anything to worry about. It's not anything like what Martina and Leigh have discussed about in this video. Is there a curfew? No. But they do have the gates up at a certain time, and it freaked me out the first time, but it's up for a while and when it's closed, it's pretty easy to open. (My friends supposedly says you can just lift the bar and boom, you're in the campus.) This is the first time I'm hearing this, and I'm pleasantly surprised there's so many rules. Very nice to know. :)
seriously!? Well that's a relief! Do the gates go up at night, then? I just don't want to go out at night with friends and then be locked out of the campus! But if it's easy to open, then that's great! Thanks so much for clarifying things!
Subs are now up, if you need em!
Thanks again!
***** I couldn't agree more !! :D
As an exchange student from America staying at Yonsei University, Wonju campus, I can say this video is 100% correct. The school is insanely strict about curfew and even lock the gates of the school so that you can't even sleep in the library if you aren't at least on campus after curfew. There is also nowhere that a group of friends can get together and hang out or watch a movie. The dorms here are split in half - half of the building is the guy's dorms and the other half is the girl's dorms. You need a key card to not only get into the dorm building, but to also get into your half of the dorm. We are allowed to have food and drinks in our rooms but absolutely NO alcohol (they even do random room checks). There is a "kitchen on the 1st floor which consists of 2 hotplates and 2 microwaves. My dorm room has a total of 4 girls living in it and is about half the size of my bedroom at home. The bathrooms are communal and there are only 4 shower stalls (with no doors) per floor. That means 40 girls are sharing 4 showers (and 2 of our shower heads are broken). You can't flush TP and the bathroom gets cleaned maybe once a week so it get really gross really fast. But other than that, I've been here for about 2 1/2 months now and I am having a great time. All of the students here are really nice and always want to make new friends. If living in a small dorm with a curfew is what it takes to make life-long friends, then I say it's well worth it. - sorry for the long post. :)
+Brittany Fuller-Hallmark thx for sharing. I wonder though havent anyone tried to jump the gate or something? (what i would do lol) cause even though their are cctv cameras, they arent staring at it all the time
A piece of advice I would say is that if you are new to Korea, for the first week or until you learn pretty basic Korean, GO EVERYWHERE WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK KOREAN. This might seem a bit obvious but hey, you can never be too careful. Yes, there are some tourist booths(?)(idk what they're called lol) but there will be times where you need a translator to help you. And also, be careful when shopping in the little markets on the street (i.e. in Dongdaemun).There are SOME (notice the SOME) people specifically looking for foreigners who can't really speak Korean/old people, to trick them into buying something WAY too expensive. So just use your better judgement. You probably won't run into one of them, but just be aware of a deal that might be too good to be true. Another thing that I realized while I visited, was to ask for samples! Most of the time at beauty shops and such, they will give you a handful of samples with your purchase (depending on how much you buy, usually). If they don't, don't be afraid to ask! You might find a new product that you love! And it helps when you're on a budget. (:
I have also been in Korea for exchange, i lived in the SKKU dorm for the first semester and it seems that our dorm was much better than Leigh's. we had one big common kitchen where we could cook but we also had to share our tiiiiny dorm room with another student. and these dorms were only for exchange students, so for local students or free-movers there were no facilities.
The second semester i lived in an actual apartment but that was heaven's luck and it's suuuuper hard to get an apartment in korea (also shared this with another student) so don't even think about it. i had friends who lived in goshiwon's/goshitel's and they said their places were nice. BUT REMINDER: the rooms in goshiwons are tiny! you might think you know what that means but you don't. think of tiny and make it half the size!!
haha the Finland thing at the end, i'm from Finland as well and it's all true! but people think it's easy because we get student money, it's not, it usually is barely enough money to pay the rent. and maybe you will have 20 euros extra after that, and you know you cannot live with that for the whole month. BUT! also i know that we're much better of than people in most countries.
thank you for this video EYK, i think it will be very useful for many people coming to Korea and not knowing where to live!! ^^
Learning about the Goshiweons is super helpful! I'm planning to go to Seoul for a semester in fall of 2016 for a language program, and I've been nervous about the prospect of living in a room with other people since my anxiety makes it so that I need a significant amount of alone time. A goshiweon sounds like the perfect solution. :D
''5 points from Gryffindor (Snape face)'' XD HAHHA
That part killed me XD
6:27 damn that Snape impression was spot on! ~
*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTNAAA!!~*
Its strange cause when i was at EWHA we didn't have a curfew in our dorm, also the rooms had mini fridges and there was a kitchenette on every floor, there was also a reception area downstairs where we could have guests meet us, so I guess its different for each university/dorm
Happy Birthday Martina! And congratulations on making over ONE THOUSAND FREAKIN AWESOME videos!! ^^
01:25 kinda relieved to hear that, cause I applied for a dorm at Ewha, but unfortunately they won't tell me before the end of july or something if I actually get one :/ I was thinking of living in a hasukjib for the second semester to practise my korean- but not if it's too expensive.
oh and happy birthday martina! :D
are u an exchange student? if so, then u will definitely get a room in the dorm.
Hoang Anh Dang seriously? does it matter when you apply? I think I applied early enough (yes, I am an exchange student^^), but a friend of mine applied two weeks later and now I'm a bit worried if she gets a dorm or not ;-; are/were you an exchange student at ehwa?
I was an exchange at ewha last semester. There are two whole international buildings for exchange students and also graduate dorm A and B, where exchange students also can live in, so chill. Last year I applied few days before the deadline and got the best option - international house 2 which is the newest building and where all the rooms have own REAL bathrooms (the shower is separate - not connected to the sink so the toilet paper wont get wet xD). If u have any questions regarding ewha, or the life in korea or even travelling in korea then feel free to ask!!!
Hoang Anh Dang that is amazing! *-* I'll just make a note of your name and will come back to you as soon as I have questions! at the moment I only have this one: when did you book your flight ticket? cause I've been wondering what would be the time when these kind of flights are cheapest. thanks a lot!! :)
Nabiya Ri actually the earlier the better :) the tickets tend to be cheaper when u buy earlier. I bought mine around 1 month before the flight and it was $65 more expensive than the first price. Where r u from? U can always send me a private message.
I have a question. What type of visa does Leigh have? Does she have a part-time job to help with the tuition?
This was so helpful. thanks for sharing all the info guys!:)
Also, Martina's rendition of Snape was simply hilarious!!:))
The TL;DRs help out a lot! After highschool I plan on moving to Seoul and live with a friend so this help out a lot. Oh and Happy Birthday Martina! I wish you all the best :)
I was on a university exchange to China last year and I couldn't believe how smothered the students are, it was REALLY shocking and made me appreciate my student life in Ireland. The students living in university accommodation have to have four bunk beds in ONE room, sometimes more. They were living on top of each other. They had to share showers, toilets, everything. They could only eat in the cafeteria (it was really cheap though) and they had a curfew. Many of the students went to cheap local hotels for 'sexy time.' Haha My female friend and male friend were bringing something over to the girl's dorms to one of the students and the house mother literally chased them out with a broom shouting at them. Guys weren't allowed to set foot into the girls building, vice versa. It seriously reminded me of boarding school. I wonder if this strict policy is just common practice in Asia in general? Also the students living at home had curfews and alcohol was something they were told to keep away from.
You guys should defenitely make a show about relationship/marrige advise/talk show . My parent never had relationship like yours so you are like textbook for me!
Wahhh Happy Birthday Martina! And thanks so much guys for making these vids about living in Korea! You guys are awesome!
Woohoo! This is super helpful and at a great time for me! I'm doing a study abroad program at Yonsei this summer! Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA!
Awesome video! Super helpful! Maybe part 3 could be the admissions process!!!???!!!??!!?!
I love when Leigh do videos, she's such a nice person in camera
Thank you for the information! It's really helpful, and I was waiting for another 'International Student' video!
ALSO: Happy birthday, Martina! I hope your day is full of relaxation, fun, and love! (That birthday breakfast should be a great kick-start for your day!) :)
Martinaaa! You should interview an international student in high school. I go to an international school for middle and high school. It would be cool to see if their experience is/was the same as mine or not.
I have lived in four different places here around Korea University (one each semester in grad school, haha). I called my Gosiwons my "boxes." They're incredibly small but I kept moving on up each semester and now I'm in a one room. But I always had to pay deposits for mine. $100 to one month's rent, $450. If you don't have arrangements, you can use this website goshipages.com and search the areas. You pay month to month so if you hate the one you move into, then move onto the next one!
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm planning to study in Korea soon and I had no idea what I was gonna do for housing, this is so helpful. Thank you again :)
A lot of student accommodation in England are similar to what Leigh described - depending on the university. I always had to sign my guests in and have lived in places with curfews.
I have stayed in my uni for about 3 years now and most of what Leigh said, is true here as well. Curfew is at 2am, points system that determines who stays and who goes, no alcohol (we have been able to sneak some in before). Although we have two people per room not four.
One piece of advice though, just be aware if the dorm you stay in has individual controls heating for all rooms. Our uni usually shuts off heating (for the rooms and shower) during the winter months when most of the students have returned home. The heating system doesn't have control valves for each room and it is too expensive to heat empty rooms so everyone else left in the dorm at this time suffers.
I live close to a big university, and I've heard the dorms are extremely tight. Meaning my bedroom would hold 6-8 people. (I live in a big house so it's hard to explain because I'm not used to smaller, more average rooms.) so I would guess an average bedroom, if it would be a dorm would hole 4-6 people. And you have to live I think your first 2 years on campus, or at home. Then after that time, you can get your own apartment. Although the dorms are small, there are a lot of advantages. There is a big open gym which is free for the college students. There is also an Apple store just for the students, and if your iPad breaks, they fix it for free, and you get anther IPad to use while yours is being fixed. It's crazy!
If you're going to Yonsei University their international dorms offer single or double rooms (Not 4 to a room) and there are no curfews. There is a "sign up" sheet for staying out overnight BUT it doesn't mean anything, no one ever does it and no one cares.
The guest thing still applies, you're not allowed people of other gender in your room but same gender is okay. There's also common rooms on every floor (Which are co-ed until a certain time of night). The point system exists there (100 points) but is hardly enforced, you can get away with stuff if you're smart about it but they are strict about opposite gender staying over etc.
Still strict but not as bad as the dorms Leigh describes.
Although I have never been a student in Korea, I did study in Japan. The only thing I can say, which is irrelevant if you are in a dorm like Leigh described, being around the language all the time really helps you learn it. In Japan I was lucky enough to be with a host family, and they became like my family. It was really helpful when learning Japanese! Anyway, good luck to anyone studying abroad anywhere! It's worth it! And I love seeing Leigh in front of the camera!! Love you Leigh, my not turning in homework buddy XD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL BDAY!!
i did not quite understand...how did she sing up for a language programme...what programme did she applied to?i would like to apply also....sorry i know this was posted a loooong time ago😓😓😖
Love this type of videos. Leigh I hope one day You could tell us more about Your decition to move from USA to Korea for studies. Your draw my life could be very intersting.. : ]
I was an exchange student in Seoul National Uni and stayed in a dorm with 6 students (where a dorm have 3 rooms in which 2 students have to share a room) and they didnt have that much rules. NO CURFEWS. i was out late every other night. and my friends come over all the time. The only rule i remembered clearly was NEVER EVER bring an opposite gender to the dorm. They said there was once a few of exchange students went partying and one of the dude was sooooo drunk so these 2 girls who are his friends couldnt leave him dead drunk (apparently there wasnt any male friends left) and brought him up to the dorm and left him sleeping on the living room sofa, a korean girl woke up in the morning, saw a man sleeping there and CRIED and called up her parents, the school and yada yada yada, the exchange students were then forced to leave the school.
My dorm experience was completely different! I studied at Hanyang University for six months and I lived on campus in the international dorms (the ones near the Women's University. There are other nicer international dorms closer to Wangsimni), but the great thing about HYU's dorms is that they are FREE FOR AMERICAN STUDENTS. We also had a point system, curfew, rules, etc., but they were never enforced (at least for myself). I stayed out all night pretty often, sometimes not coming back for the whole weekend, and I never got in trouble. We also didn't have a kitchen, but we ordered food all the time, even though there were signs around the dorm that said we couldn't. I've had friends come over and chill some nights after clubbing, and one time my boyfriend had to come into my room to help me move some things, and the doorman was just like "lol whatever". I'm not sure if the rules were more strictly enforced for Korean students, since none of my Korean friends lived on campus, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were.
i wish i was a bit more smarter and courageous and had a little more money to go study in Korea. that would be amazing!
here is Saudi Arabia we do have dorms but not a lot of people go to it cuz we live with our parents
and the public university doesn't have university fees and the college or university gives the student money like monthly and if you get a good GPA at the end of the year they give you more money like a reword for your hard work .
My dorm experience in Korea was awesome!!!! I even miss it!!! I went to Sogang University and stayed in their dorms. You room with one other person and the size of the dorm is enough space for two people. There are rules about staying out late and what not but as an International student you get away with just about anything. All the exchange students in the dorms didn't pay attention to curfew. We were allowed one late entry during curfew per day or just get 10pts deducted.
Leigh is so funny!!!! I love her!
Martina, you're shirt is awesome!
Also, I heard that dorms are being taken over by international students these days, so you don't really have opportunities to practice Korean if you live there, as most people are speaking English. I was planning to do a homestay because you really NEED to use korean when in a korean's home (especially if your native language isn't listed as a language the family knows.)
I totally cannot agree! We do have a curfew at my school but food is allowed, we have a fridge in each dorm room, we have a lounge on every floor for meeting friends, we have a kitchen on every floor n etc!
What school are you enrolled in? Let's share the info so people can learn which schools have different rules! :)
Yeyeahh come to Finland people! University life awaits for me this autumn..I'm going to come to Korea as an exchange student within two years so it'll be interesting how well I can survive in Korea haha^^
I was an exchange student at one of Korea's top universities and I lived in a dorm too, but it was nothing like described in the video. This university had two kinds of dormitories though; on campus and off campus. The on campus were the dorms with the Koreans and American exchange students, these had the rules and curfew like in the video. The off campus dorms (which were most of the time just across the street from the university) were mainly for the other exchange students and had no curfews, few rules, we had our own kitchen and bathroom, we had parties there (room parties, roof parties, balcony parties), we could bring in alcohol and food etc... We had some rules but they were not enforced at all. We brought in guests and everything. It was pretty awesome.
And how was the inside dorms like?... Oh wait u probably dont know bcz u did not live in one... So u cant say ur dorm was nothing like hers bcz no DUHH! It was nothing like hers.. U had an off campus dorm..?
Not trying to be rude... But u didnt prove any point there Buddy!😂
Candy Jones I'm just saying that not all dorms are the same. You can get lucky and get an awesome dorm or bad luck gives you a dorm like in the video.
Basssiiie Ugh, I'm starting to re-evaluate my choice of accommodation at Korea University :(. I at least want to be able to have a drink or two come the weekend.
Basssiiie which uni was it?
i found this and the blog post really useful.. thank you Leigh! ^^
I Lost it when they said,"Five Points from Griffindor" and "DETENTION"!
Since you were doing the intensive language program how were you paying for tuition, food, housing, etc when you first started... Did you have a job while you were in the program? Did you save up money? What is it that you/other students did? I want to become a part of EPIK, but I want to also be able to understand and speak Korean... I'm trying to teach myself at the moment. I'm getting there, but it sure does take a lot of dedication without a teacher.
Happy Birthday Martina!! Wishing you the best of wishes on your special day!! I hope you have a fabtastic day today with rainbows and sparkles and unicorns!!... With cake!!
Xoxo
I'm planning on studying in Korea and this helps a lot for housing. I have 2 more years to get everything together *hint still in high school*. I've been talking to my counselor about out of the country universities. Hope I do get there :)
I'm currently an exchange student at Korea University and living in one of the student dorms there. Actually, we don't have a curfew or that kind of strict rules, although the male/female rule, the alcohol rule and 'food' rule still exists. However, there's a kitchen on the first floor with a relaxation area where you can meet up with people, along with a relaxation room on every floor. It's surprisingly chill, but we don't really have any sort of 'house meetings' or such.
That said, I am planning to move out this summer to have a different experience somewhere else.
If someone is to live in an international dorm they will not have to worry about many of these things such as curfew, place to study, or place to keep and cake food. I go to Ewha as an exchange student and the only major rule here is no guest past 10pm. If this rule is broken eviction is likely. Also Alcohol is not allowed in the dorms but no one is checking for it. Also each room has a mini refrigerator, every floor has a kitchen like room that includes a microwave, toaster oven, tables, and a television with cable. In the basement there is a Kitchen with multiple stoves, several study rooms, convenience store and laundry room. However if someone is to stay in the regular undergraduate dorms for Korean students many of the things Leah said apply. I think they make special rules for international students.
Happy Birthday Martina!
I was considering studying in Korea or Japan so this was really helpful! I'm not really fond of rules and curfews though so I might have a bit of a problem if I choose to study in Korea.
I'm a Singaporean who went to exchange to Daejeon a while back in KAIST. I stayed in the dorm there and they didn't have any rules, me and my exchange friends could go back as late as 2-3AM and nobody would care! Plus there is common areas with TV and stuff, and we could eat in our own rooms! Didn't know other dorms in Korea are so strict...
My college offers a full semester in S. Korea. I would of loved to go but the courses didn't work out. Medical student :(
What college is this?...mine doesn't offer that-_-
I'm surprised more colleges dont. It was offered at My uni and my community college to learn abroad. Just have to meet GPA requirements and find a scholarship that sponsor's the study abroad program. These scholarships usually are offered by the school.
I can totally understand. Any other degree, and I would have snatched up any kind of exchange opportunity, but studying med, things don't really work out..
KetashiR really? why not? are there medical degrees not accepted in American countries? i really want to study dentistry in Korea so i'm curious! :)
I'm Australian, but what i meant was that if I went to another university to study medicine, it may not be appropriate to what I'm learning by my country's standards and regulations. That, and the idea that until I actually become a doctor, it doesn't actually do me much good to learn about how other countries work..
The dorm situation isn't that strange here in Guyana. But, like kids all over the world...dormers finds ways around the rules..,
I was in Korea for an exchange for a month and the dorm where I lived in (external dorm/officetel for international students by a university) was really great! The room was nice, clean and comfy, with a tiny kitchen counter, equipped with a microwave oven, fridge and washing machine. There was a nice little toilet in it too which was totally great because I can never do communal showers. Only problem is they had just one chair and one study table which made no sense because the room is meant to accommodate 2 students. They had a curfew too but it was never really imposed since the security guard would clock off at a certain time, and all you needed to do was just to key the password to the entrance and you'd be able to get in.
They had a little area for people to use and watch TV, but it was on the first floor just outside the dorm and there was no heater system at all. Almost froze to death while watching the Gayo Daejuns XD
Leigh looks so much ~trendier~ in this video wowie!
Konkuk University dorms is the same. All the rules (including point systems) are strongly enforced for international students at the dorms. You are only allowed to get 15 points and staying out all night is 2 points so.... it only takes 8 times to get kicked out. Which actually happens some of the international students they got kicked out and then had to write a letter apologizing to get back into the school dorms for next semester.......Intense!
I am going to Dankook University this summer and this is exactly what i need right now! Thank you for the insights! I cant wait to see S.Korea=) and I hope I get a glimpse of TOP or Lee Minhyuk
here in Saudi Arabia the government actually gives university students student allowance it's not that much but it helps when ever you need something it's about 240$ not much! but like i said it's to help students...
Happy birthday Martina! ^^
I'll be in Korea in the spring of 2015 as an exchange student and I did not even know this... The people in my dormitory are like family to me, and it is not unusual to see people studying together in the halls or having group conversation... I think I'll miss that part of dorm life the most...
I'm an exchange student in Ajou University (located in Suwon, 40 minutes bus ride from Seoul) for the second semester and I live also in the dormitory. It's not exactly like 5-star hotel, it could be a lot better but it is satisfying and I started to feel like home eventually. We have similar set of rules (some of them are in fact ridiculous for someone who has come from western). Some rules just get penalty points and breaking some rules can lead to the dismissal from dormitory. At least dormitory in Ajou University doesn't have a curfew and you can have your food in the dormitory. In fact, there are so many delivery guys going back and forth on the campus, delivering the food to the dormitory. Lots of exchange students do complain about the rules being too strict, given the background where they come from they don't have any rules. For example, not even drinking beer is allowed. And living in the dormitory in Korea - they almost feel as if they're caged. I personally didn't really have big issues with the rules, but I can totally understand the people who did. This is the reason why so many exchange students start to break the rules in the end of semester. Just few days before they're leaving the country. Because they're leaving anyway, they won't feel any guilt or fear and start to break them. Feeling like being in a cage for four months, they let their steam out. Of course, I'm not talking about all of them, but still. Last semester... one dude actually got kicked out of the dormitory on the Christmas Eve just three days before his flight back to home.
Woooo awesome! I've been waiting for this!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA!!!
The dorm rules are pretty much like the boarding schools in Malaysia. I experienced it during my high school years when I went to a boarding school, we had to be in our rooms and must switch our lights off at 10:30pm. For uni and colleges though, I'm not so sure because I'm studying in an open university so I didn't have to live in a dorm. Although before I entered the uni, I went to a pre-U college or matriculation college for a year and the rules are the same but pretty much looser than in boarding schools. You have to be back before 5pm if you go for an outing during the weekends and if you plan on staying outside, you need permission. You are not allowed to go out during the weekdays unless it's an urgent matter. Lights off rule also applies here but it's not as strict as boarding schools.
This is so exciting! Thanks you guys!
I'll be in Korea at sejong univeristy and I want to know more about social things. Where students go, how to meet friends, nightlife, MT and things like that!
May I ask Leigh what type of language program did she go through that enabled her stay in Korea? Is it U.S based ?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINA! ♥
This summer I will stay in a dorm for the first time in my life in Ajou Uni. and I'm already stressed out, thank you :D
after my first year of uni, so in a year & a half or so, my first j-term's going to be in korea & i'm ungodly excited :3 i can't wait to be immersed in the culture for a month or so
What are Korean graduations like? In the US, graduates wear a cap and gown and people cheer loudly (and sometimes obnoxiously) after each person's name is announced. Is graduation a big event where graduates get gifts from family members? I'm interested in what it's like there.
I was an exchange student in Chung Ang University! Their Blue Mir dorm was really awesome I felt like I was living in a hotel suits lol everything was nice except the housing office people are kinda rude to international students because we are the ones who usually cause troubles , the crew time was the pain in the ass. It was horrible unless one of the security was EXTREMELY nice and so cool that he would just let us sneak in after curfew time!
I studied abroad last summer in China. The college that I was at everyone had curfew even the grad. students, and I think they all had to live on campus. However, my group and I stayed in a hotel since were only there a couple weeks.
I stayed in the SungKyunKwan dorms and they were pretty lenient on the rules. Curfew was enforced but everything else like food, drinks, and having friends over were fine.
I'm still in my early years of high school but I hope to study in Korea when I'm older. I still have 3 more years of high school and I'm sure I'll do some kind of college in my own country first, but Korea is top on my list for a studying abroad. It just seems super amazing.
OMG I remember over the summer I was doing an internship at Hong Kong University and their orientation camp for their dorms and for school is like freakin rush week for fraternities and sororities in the U.S. but less towards the professional side and more towards group bonding activities
I am actually an international exchange student in Korea right now. I go to Chonnam National University in Gwangju which is about 3-4 hours south of Seoul. I live in a dorm and I really do understand where Leigh is coming from. I have only been here for 3 months, and I find it a hassle to have a one o'clock curfew everyday including the weekends when you want to hangout and drink with your friends. A lot of my friends who want to stay out over the curfew just stay out of the dorm until 5 o'clock when the doors open. You do not loose and points if you do that. Dorm life is TOTALLY different from American dorm life. In my dorm in America, my neighbors were girls and we did not have a curfew. It is always quite in the dorm because people are ALWAYS studying... I appreciate the quietness though. haha. My roommate is Korean and he studies a lot because of the high competition for employment in Korea. There are many great things about living in the dorm as well. First, it is insanely cheap! Since I am an exchange student, my housing is actually free (so I saved about 2,000 dollars) there. Another great thing about dorm life is that you are on campus and close to many stores, restaurants and the restaurants are SUPER cheap. You can have a delicious meal between $3-$5. It is also a great way to meet Koreans (especially if you want to learn korean). On my campus, there are 2 gates that are really close to my dormitory that lead to all the restaurants and stores you will need. There is also about 3 cafes that are literally a 30 second walk from my dorm. My dorm is also connected the student cafeteria. Like Leigh and Martina said, it is not that good. LOL. One thing that I do not really like about campus life is that I have experienced many situations in which random people will walk up to you and try to get your personal information. My korean friends told me to be careful because there are many strange cults in Korea. This is just from my personal experience only. Haha. Overall, I love living in my dorm because it is free and it is quite comfortable. I will be here for a year or more just as an exchange student. I love Chonnam National University so much. There are not that many foreigners if you are looking to be at a university with a large population of foreign students.
3:30 was that Star Trek theme song XDD
Oh and happy birthday Martina!! :D
I personally didn't study abroad because I've already lived abroad and there is one con. Some credits don't transfer... You still have to pay for a semester and unless you have a surplus of credits, it may not be ideal. I really wanted to go to France too but ultimately, I'll settle for travelling.
HAppy birthday Martina !!!
At my uni, we have suitemates (multiple people to a room), curfew, certain visiting hours (and the door has to be wide open and the guests have to stand the entire time--no feet can leave the floor), and drinking/smoking aren't permitted. I thought we had it bad, but my goodness... Korea has us beat
I was studying in Korea at Seoul National University from September to December 2013, and although I never got a dorm, from what my friends told me, the experience is very similar to the what is explained in the video.
Instead I got a Goshiwon, which was fairly easy, I just went there, and I got a room. The manager's english was "okay", and by that I mean, he was understandable, but at times it was a bit confusing or I had to think about what he meant. At home I live at a really social dorm, so when I experienced the Goshiwon's kitchen, it was disappointing. Most of the time when I made food there would be no one there, and if there were someone else there they were most likely Korean students or old Korean bachelors, both of which tried to avoid conversations. Besides that though, most of the food I made was a combination of the free ramen and kimchi.
Because food on campus was so cheap, I preferred that over making my own food, and the rest of the time I was often eating with other exchange students.
All in all though, I prefered my Goshiwon over what stories I heard of the dorms. Also, in my experience, as an exchange student, you rarely cook your own food, so the kitchen is not really of importance, what matters is your room, and if you are willing to share that with someone else. In general, my friends didn't like sharing it with Koreans, but they accepted it because it was so cheap.
The prices were something in the lines of:
Goshiwon: 360.000 won/month*
Dorm: 600.000/semester
* You can get cheaper, but I wanted a window and my own shower/toilet, the window was really tiny though.
Hey.. I am in Korea currently, about 7 months now. I stayed in a dorm and it wasn't as bad as mentioned. I guess it depends on which school you went to. I am attending the language institute at Yonsei University and stayed in SK Global House (an International dorm). The facilities were great (shared kitchen, personal toilet) and we do not have curfew. We had a public area on each floor where we could watch TV and also eat. We even have microwave oven and public refrigerator (I have a personal mini fridge in my single room). A study room too. The thing is, it is quite expensive to stay there.
We do also have some standard rules. We were allowed to bring friends, but like said, we have to sign them in and they can only be there for 2 hours. No one of the opposite gender can enter our room. No alcohol too.. and points system only minuses. And yes, walls are really thin here in Korea. I can hear like everything from the next room. It's annoying.
It sounded so scary when you said it. Just so someone doesn't get the wrong idea, there are actually pretty decent dorms here in Korea. :)
***** Hi Eliza, There are a few dorms in Yonsei University so choose the right one. The international dorms are way better than the others that are normally for Koreans. They have 2 international dorms, the SK Global House and the International House. These 2 are pretty new. if you prefer staying alone in a en suite room, your choice is SK Global House. They have single room. and all the rooms in SK Global house has its own shower and toilet. Every floor has a common study area and a lounge with TV, microwave and refrigerator. For International House, they only have sharing room (2 person, 4 person? in one room) and sharing toilet. i stayed in a single room in SK Global house and i really liked it.
Both have laundry facilities (Washer and dryer). SK House has a shared kitchen in B3 of the building while International House has kitchen on each floor (if i am not mistaken).
And no, these dorms do not have curfew.
Check out their Website: ih.yonsei.ac.kr.
***** i pay by term. and you can find the prices on their website. I'm just here to learn korean. I'm here just to study korean, so i guess I'm studying abroad?
How can a american go to Korea for study? How expensive is it? Is it hard for foreigners to find a collage? I would really like to study in Korea (and possibly end up moving) but don't know where to start. It would be a big help to know how to find all I need to find a collage and i would need to do before hand.
Ask your guidance counceler at school
I'm not in school anymore.
It's very hard unless your university has some affiliation to a korean university. If you're not in school anymore it'll be harder
Shannon Buron It'll near impossible to get in ;-;
ah that stinks :(
I am a university student in Korea, been for over a year. Can confirm a lot of the things, but our dorm doesn't have a curfew at least, and we have kitchens :)
And they don't check our stuff :D
Thanks Leigh for the advice!!!
I'm attending Kyung Hee University and as an exchange student from the US I was able to get into the dormitories. There are three different kinds here I believe. There is Sehwawon, a traditional style dorm housing hundreds of students, both Korean and foreign. There are 2 students per room and they have a commons area, shared cooking facilities, a fridge in each room, and a gym. They do have the 12am curfew though and the managers pay close attention and can enter your room at any time. I live in the International student housing which is supposedly only international students, but our dorms are basically an apartment building and the school rents certain floors so there are Koreans living here as well. The dorms are supposedly split into male and female so one has only guys and two have girls. The rules say we can't have alcohol, be in after 1 am, or have guests, but other students have and didn't get caught. We often hear male voices from the stairwell so that says how much they're actually watching. The other dorm is just for Korean students I believe. I don't know anyone who lives there so I know very little about it. I was originally in the language program here and now I'm in courses in English but our language programs are part of the International Education Department so it was part of the university and I was easily able to get into the dorms. I do know a fourth year international student though that was told to leave Sewhawon because new freshmen were coming and they needed the space.
Correction: You do NOT have your own kitchen in a goshiwon. There are sometimes shared kitchens.
Omg my dorm was not that bad! I don't even remember any rules like that. The only dorm rule that my dorm had was no boys in the dorms. We also had a kitchen on the 3rd floor and on the 4th floor there was a laundry room. Maybe it was because it was an international dorm so it wasn't as strict. :x
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTINAAAA!!! :DDDDD WE LOVE YOU!!!!
I'm going to study in Japan next year, and basically the dorm rules over there are pretty much the same - I'd like to keep my freedom and privacy, so I'm going to look for an appartement
omg thank you for making this TL;DR! Last time when you guys talked about key money and stuff and that it was insane expensive I was pretty scared because I'm not saving money at this moment... Xd But now I feel bit better that you can get like rooms and pay rent per month. So I still can come to Korea~~
Omg Martina did you hear that there is gonna be a sailor moon remake this summer? I'm so excited! It's said that they will fallow the manga and redraw the girls like in the manga. Oh and happy birthday to you!!!!!
Yes the curfew thing is true OTL However! I'm currently studying abroad at Konkuk University for the semester and basically, if you're only staying for a semester the curfew thing doesn't really matter... because the worst that can happen is that you will be banned from living in the dorm the next semester... and if you are only staying for one semester that doesn't really apply to you. Yay loopholes!
On one side I'm excited but on the other side also a bit afraid/ nervous. Next year I'm doing a language program in Taiwan. I don't want to stay on campus because I want a room for myself, plus I don't want to have a curfew (last year I stayed on a campus in China and the curfew was really irritating).
I would want a place close to school and close to a metrostation, I want a kitchen (in my room or just in the building) because I don't want to only eat out and ofcourse an affordable place!
So yeah I really hope I find a nice place. Comforting to hear there are people out there who go through the same things.
most dorms in Malaysia have such curfews too but regulations bout food and all that... yea usually they have a stove at least. the food is no problem. my brother lived on biscuits, instant noodles and nasi bujang (white rice and fried egg) most of his dorm life.
That's EXACTLY my dorm experience in my old university back in the Philippines.