Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Hi, all-

I'll be coming to Korea in a month to study at Sogang, and will be in Korea for about 3 1/2 months. For places to stay, I'll be in their dormitory for a couple of days while I check out some goshiwon that people on this board have mentioned and hasuk jip near Sogang that others have recommended. I'm trying to finish up a very busy term of grad school so I'm trying to start planning and get loose ends tied up. So here are my questions:

1) I have grad student health insurance in the U.S. but it won't cover anything while I'm overseas. I'm a healthy person but whenever I have been to China I have had a lot of problems (stomach problems, respiratory problems, and once, typhus) and it worries me to hear that a lot of Koreans have intestinal problems. I think the chances of me getting sick in Korea are good. If I do get sick, if I had to go to a hospital or clinic without insurance would it be affordable? I was also thinking of getting some travel medical insurace, which is about $160 for four months.

2) Cell phones. I know everyone in Korea has cell phones and it might be hard for me to connect with friends if I don't. Is there any chance that my U.S. cell phone (a Cingular Samsung, but not nearly as flashy as Korean phones) would work in Korea? Or are there any prepaid cell phones I could use temporarily while in Korea?

3) Internet. Do most college campuses in Korea have a lot of places where you can access the internet? I am not bringing any kind of computer to Korea.

4) I will be living on a graduate fellowship and not an English teacher's salary, so will have to be very careful to live frugally. I hope I won't have to use any of my own savings until September when Sogang's program ends and I travel around Korea. For the time I am in Seoul, what are some affordable day or weekend trips I could do?

Any other advice (especially money-saving ideas) is appreciated!

taobenli

[natemk]

1) I was also thinking of getting some travel medical insurace, which is about $160 for four months.
> go for travel insurance if you're really that worried.

2) don't think your phone would work here. look for a cheap used one on the boards here if you really need one.

3) Internet. Do most college campuses in Korea have a lot of places where you can access the internet?
> yes. everywhere.

4) living cheap is easy. tours are available at low costs. you can go anywhere in korea in a matter of hours.

hope it helps.

[Ya-ta Boy]

1. I agree. $160 is not much compared to the worry and expense if you don't have it. Medical costs in Korea are lower than in the US, but it's still a good idea.

2. I don't know.

3. There are supposed to be 20,000 PC bahngs in Korea. In most places you can stand in one spot and see two or three of them without moving. They cost W1,000/hour. Many have printers and faxes at reasonable rates. Most are smokey. If after three or four visits to the same PC bahng the manager doesn't give you a free cup of coffee, change PC bahngs.

4. There are several subway tours of Seoul for the cost of a subway ticket. Routes are available at the Tourist Information Office. Buses are very cheap and leave for many cities every 20 minutes. Check a good travel book for directions in each city.