Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jst]

I was thinking about going to a Korean University to focus my time on learning Korean.

Anyone here do it? Where? How long? Was it worth it? How much did it cost you (tuition, living expenses, etc.)?

[definitely maybe]

I studied in Sungkyunkwan's intensive programs (10 weeks, 200 hours) for a few summer sessions. The last time I did it was a few years back, but I recall it being in the neighborhood of 1,100,000-1,200,000 won for a 200 hour program. I thought it was worth it.

As for the other costs, I already had my own apartment each of the three years, worked part-time in the evenings the first summer, and was on vacation from a university the other two, so I had a place to stay and sources of income. The first summer was by far the hardest because of my work schedule, but it was still manageable. The second and third times, levels four and five, would have been much more difficult if I had been doing much more than a bit of tutoring on the side.

[furtakk]

I'm about to start my 4th semester at Sogang. It's expensive: 1.5 with writing class, 1.3ish with no writing class, but I made a huge jump. I was in Korea for 2 years before starting. During that time, I like to think that I studied fairly frequently in my free time, but even after two years, I was kind of limited to really simple banter. At this point, I can function (for the most part) totally in Korean. I'm by no means fluent and even when I finish the program I think I'll have a ways to go. But it's definitely helped a lot.

For my first 2 semesters I didn't work at all. I had about 8 mil in the bank and ate through all of it in 6 months. But I had my own apartment (not hasuk/gosiwon) and didn't budget at all. I'm working now so money isn't an issue, but I have absolutely no free time during the week.

[coralreefer_1]

Like the others (although at less prestigious universities outside of Seoul) I have done a total of 6, 10 weeks semesters at a university here.

Outside if Seoul it is considerably cheaper (900,000 - 1,000,000 won usually) and although some may claim that the quality is better, I would question that. The living expenses here are about 400,000 per semester for a dormitory (which I didn't stay at) or maybe 200,000 per month for a 1 room apartment (deposit is about 500,000 won)

With that said, classes typically are from 9am-1pm...5 days a week. Some universities have other programs such as TOKIK prep courses which run at different times for various lengths, or even shorter 2 hour sessions a few days a week. All of this varies from university to university.


As far as being worth it, I would say yes without a doubt. It is difficult to speak to the level of ability others might gain from self study, or language exchange...but assuming you are actually interested in learning the language to a certain degree of fluency, there is nothing better that a university course. The doors that open to foreigners who have passing Korean skill (and by this, I mean Mid-level TOPIK and up) are very well worth the effort. Aside from professional opportunities, the increased depth of interactions with Koreans will open a whole new world to the way people treat you, and the things you can do in your day to day life.

As far as where, nearly every university and even many small two-year tech schools in Korea have a Korean program.

[Daniel1981]

What visa status are you guys on to be working part time and going to school? That sounds like something I would be interested in, but afaik I can't work on a student visa, and E2 visa's are pretty much full time, so, classes limited to mornings / weekends (which I know of some friends doing). But part-time ?

[coralreefer_1]

I am on a D2 student visa

You are allowed to work part time on a student visa after you have had it for a certain time (I believe 6 months, or perhaps its just one semester..not sure)

On a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours on a Mon-Fri workweek during the semester. Working hours are unlimited during weekends, holiday, and summer/winter university vacations.

As far as having an E2 visa and working part-time while going to school, that may be a bit more difficult to arrange with an employer. Personally I would never get an actual E2, because on a student visa I can legally teach English..but at a part-time pay rate (35,000 - 40,000 per hour)...so although I don't get a free apartment, pension, airfare...I make 3.2 million per month, only work 20 hours to get that...pay no taxes as a student, and most importantly freedom over my visa, meaning that if I want to change the workplace, I dont need to go through all the trouble of getting a new visa reissued, visa runs, or suddenly being forced to relocate housing.

As far as working on a D4 visa (the visa typically issued to those wanting to study in a Korean program who do not already have some other type of visa status, like above work is still permitted but again a certain amount of time must have passed from the issue date of the visa to the date in which you want to apply for work.

[furtakk]

the work restrictions for the d4 are the same as the d2. you need to study for 6 months before you can change your visa.

i'm on an e2 just because i'm hoping to switch to the f2-7 next year and it can't be done from the d4.