The International Student Virtual Welcome Packet focuses heavily on D2 visa needs but also addresses the needs of A, E, and F visa holders studying in South Korea. Additionally, the information included in the International Student Virtual Welcome Packet may also remain relevant to other international residents on other visas as well.
How To Use the Virtual Welcome Packet
First, read the Intro to the International Student Virtual Welcome Packet link below. The article may assist you in understanding how volunteers compile the information for the Virtual Welcome Packet. This somewhat dry and boring introduction actually contains very useful information for getting the most out of the South of Seoul Blogs.
Second, move to the header which interests you below. Click on each tab to discover articles for that sub-topic.
Defining the International Student Lens
South of Seoul defines the “International Student Lens” as anyone from a foreign country studying in South Korea. This may include high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, or language students.
Keep in mind, different bloggers, influencers, and community organizations may define the ‘International Student Lens’ in different ways depending on their experiences in South Korea. Such content creators may refer only to graduate student programs or others may be speaking about high school students.
About the International Student Welcome Packet
The International Student Welcome Packet is designed to help students navigate the stressful process of moving to South Korea, establishing residency, and managing culture shock.
Navigating Tabbed Content Boxes
This ‘International Student Virtual Welcome Packet’ organizes information into tabbed content. Here is important information about how to use the tabbed content boxes:
- Tabbed content boxes flow from left to right.
- When viewing the tabbed content on a phone or mobile device you may not be able to see all tabbed content on the screen at one time.
- To view the tabbed content tap on the tabs to move through them. The tab currently showing will be highlighted in orange.
- Tabbed content boxes may contain links to blogs, videos, or pdf items depending on the topic being addressed.
Visa Types Allowed to Study in South Korea
For those wondering if they can study in South Korea, please read the following blog post regarding visa options. You can study in Korea on a student visa or you can study in Korea on certain employment, diplomatic, and family visas.
Applying for Korean D2 Visas
Dig into what’s all involved in the D2 visa process so that you are prepared for different hurdles that you may face along the way:
Establishing Residency In Korea
Once you arrive in South Korea as an international student with a D2 visa you will need to accomplish a few basic tasks in order to establish residency in Korea. The process for D2 visa holders to establish residency in South Korea may take between 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the speed at which each step occurs.
The following organized tabs lay out each step of the process for establishing residency in South Korea. The first step of the process is on the left and then progresses to the right.
As you start your life in South Korea it’s important to understand the new social system and how it has become digitally connected over time. A new country means learning about new social systems and structures. Such differences may feel uncomfortable and unnecessary when they don’t match your experiences from home.
The more you know about the Korean systems the less frustrating it may be as you learn to exist in them.
Every international resident needs to have a residence. Finding housing will be one of the first things that international students need to do. It’s also stressful and confusing. The following blog post talks about what to expect when searching for housing as an international student.
Getting a smartphone may be your third or fourth step toward establishing Korean residency once you arrive in South Korea. Some international students may get a phone before getting a bank account and others may get a bank account before getting a phone. Let’s take a deep dive into what getting a smartphone might be like.
All international students living in South Korea for longer than 6 months are required by the Korean government to have health insurance. Read the following article to learn more about this requirement.
Labor Law Resources
International students often move to South Korea to both work and study. While living and working in a foreign country without permanent residency or citizenship, you remain vulnerable. Therefore, the South Korean federal government and local governments continue to improve resources to support migrant workers and immigrants to advocate for their income and safety while living in South Korea.
Many students who move to Korea to study also wish to work. The following blog post digs into some of the many factors and realities of Student Work Permits in South Korea. An important read for students who will need to work in order to afford their education.
Korea Legislation Research Institute provides all of the Korean Labor Laws translated into English. Reading the labor laws in English may help you ask informed questions.
Labor Law Hotline: 1350 ext. 4
The Ministry of Employment and Labor offers a free labor law consultation hotline. You can call with questions and concerns about your rights at work. They also have an English language website which may provide you with information you find useful.
Immigration Legal Support Hotline: 1345
The Ministry of Justice provides the “Village Lawyers for Foreigners Program” which offers free legal support to all foreign workers in South Korea.
Health and Wellness in South Korea
While working on each step to establishing residency you may find it helpful to become more familiar with the Korean health care system. Knowledge about Korea’s health care system and how it may differ from your own may allow you to better advocate for yourself.
The majority of international students living in South Korea are legally required to have National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) managed by h-Well. However, some students with international health care insurance policies may be able to avoid enrolling in NHIS with proper documentation. The following information relates to NHIS information.
NHIS Hotline: Main Number 1577-1000
The National Health Insurance System provides English language support for questions related to your health care in South Korea.
Understanding the Korean health care system can empower you to find the health care that meets your needs.
Where to Get a CPAP Device in Korea
Are you living with sleep apnea or another sleep-related breathing disorder in Korea? Chances are, you may be familiar with the common sleep apnea treatment of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Managing a chronic condition can be intimidating, especially in a country where the language and medical system may be unfamiliar. Read below for information on how to find a CPAP machine in Korea.
SOS Public Health Maternal Health Survey Descriptive Analysis: Pregnancy and Childbirth in South Korea
Would you like to know more about pregnancy and childbirth in South Korea? The following blog post provides a descriptive analysis of the data gathered in the SOS Public Health Maternal Health Survey (2022 SOS PHMHS) The following data may so such things as 1) provide support and information for people considering childbirth in South Korea, 2) support additional research into the lived pregnancy and childbirth experiences of international residents living in South Korea, and 3) contribute to a better understanding of how international residents experience pregnancy and childbirth in South Korea.
2022 SOS Public Health Needs Assessment of International Residents in Korea
This Needs Assessment was conducted by graduate student Olivia Bowman as part of her practicum with SOS Public Health (SOSPH) in the Fall of 2022. This needs assessment examines healthcare information access among the multinational English-speaking community living in South Korea, with a focus on the role that cultural dissonance may play in such access.
Continue Reading 2022 SOS Public Health Needs Assessment of International Residents in Korea
2022 SOS Public Health Needs Assessment of International Residents in Korea
This Needs Assessment was conducted by graduate student Olivia Bowman as part of her practicum with SOS Public Health (SOSPH) in the Fall of 2022. This needs assessment examines healthcare information access among the multinational English-speaking community living in South Korea, with a focus on the role that cultural dissonance may play in such access.
Continue Reading 2022 SOS Public Health Needs Assessment of International Residents in Korea
Culture Shock and Mental Health Infomation
Moving to Korea as a student may be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Many students struggle to overcome the culture and language gap. It’s important to understand culture shock before you arrive in South Korea and its potential impact on mental health.
Home and Living Information
Although your employer may provide you with your apartment, there remain a few details that you may need to take care of you on your own. Each employer may have different systems for helping educators pay for bills when they first arrive. However, after getting settled some educators may find it more comfortable to manage their own living needs.
South of Seoul provides information to empower educators to take control of their own personal affairs if they so desire.
Some employers may manage your utilities for you while others may have you manage them yourself. You will want to clarify who pays the utilities. It’s often easiest and less stressful to pay them yourself.
Managing Your Utility Expenses While Teaching in Korea by Aclipse
Recycling across South Korea follows the same general principles with some adjustments by region. Always find your local rules directly related to your administrative district. The following blog provides a general overview of the situation.
Garbage Guide in Korea by Hanyang University
Air quality in South Korea varies from perfect to apocalyptic. The following article may help you plan for caring for your lungs in your apartment and outside.
10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Pollution | Yellow Dust in Korea by 10 Mag
Due to the humidity, mold often occurs in apartments that have not been ventilated correctly or do not get enough light. Understanding how to keep mold may make apartment life a lot easier in South Korea.
Dealing with Mold in the Countryside by South of Seoul
Learning to care for you house is an important part of moving to a new country.