Korea University Exchange

Pre-departure Guide:[almost] Everything you need to know to have an amazing semester abroad!

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Registration & Payment:* You will be registered for 12 SA placeholder credits at Binghamton. When you return from your semester abroad, these placeholder credits will be replaced for the actual courses and grades you take while abroad.

* Remember to confirm your enrollment! You will receive an email at the beginning of BU’s semester to confirm your enrollment through BU Brain. Please remember to do this or you will be dropped from your study abroad placeholder credits and we will need to re-register you.

* You will be billed through Banner for tuition, the balance of your program fee and your international health insurance.

Student Visa (D-2 Student Visa):* You are required to obtain a D-2 Student Visa to study in South Korea

* The requirements for the visa are:

* A valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the program)* Visa application form* Admission letter from Korea University* Certificate of Admission (표준입학허가서)* Most recent copy of your transcript* Family registry [Chinese citizens only]

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* [Chinese citizens]: You must receive your student visa prior to returning to China.

* [Korean American students with US citizenship]: You will need to figure out if you are considered a “dual citizen”. Please contact the Consulate General of Korea in the United States. You may be required to denounce your Korean citizenship in order to receive the visa.

Airline Tickets* You are responsible for finding and purchasing your own tickets.

* We suggest searching for the best fares on websites such as Expedia, Momondo, Kayak, etc... BUT you should purchase your tickets from a travel agent or directly from the airline. In case there are any issues with your flights or you need to make any changes, you’ll have more support from the travel agent or the airline rather than these websites.

* When you purchase your tickets, make sure that your return flight is flexible. You may decide you want to extend your stay or that you want to travel after the end of your program so having this flexibility is helpful.

Packing:* Pack lightly - don’t bring everything you own and don’t bring valuables

* Note about clothing - Koreans tend to “dress up” more for class. Jeans are f ine, but pajama bottoms, sweats aren’t real ly that common.

* Pack comfortable shoes

* Bring at least 1 nicer outfit to wear to special events

* Korea uses 220volts. Check the voltage capacities on your appliances before packing them.

* You will need a plug adapter for your electronics. These can be purchase pretty cheaply at Target or Walmart, etc..

* The weather in Korea is pretty similar to Binghamton with 4 distinct seasons.

* Spring (March - May) - pretty mild, ranging in temp. from 40s to 60s Fahrenheit* Summer (June - early September) - hot and humid, ranging from 70s to 80s * Fall (September to November) - very mild, still pretty warm but not as humid as the summer, ranging from the 50s to 60s* Winter (December to February) - can become bitterly cold, ranging from 10s to 30s

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Housing* You are able to apply for housing in the international student dorms on Campus (Anam House or CJ International Living house) online at http://reslife.korea.ac.kr/. Be sure to check the dates for online registration.

* Due to the high volume of international students, KU has not always been able to accommodate all students that registered for housing,

* If you are denied housing, there are affordable off-campus housing options available (mostly goshiwon/gohsitels), but you need to be careful because there have been mixed reviews from previous students.

* If you need help finding off-campus housing, please contact the international office at KU. They will be able to give you a list of trusted goshiwon/goshitels.

* What is a goshiwon/goshitel? Goshiwon are small rooms that you can rent on a monthly basis, originally intended for students who were studying for an important exam. Today goshiwon can be found around most college campuses and are a cheap living option for students not from Seoul or who live far away from campus and don’t want to commute. You can go to goshipages.com to see what would be available.

* Tips for f inding an off-campus goshiwon:* Always consult with the International Office at KU to see if your goshiwon can be trusted. * Try to f ind a goshiwon where the owner or a maintenance person lives in the building and speaks English* Try to f ind a goshiwon that provides a shower/toilet in the room. Although these rooms are a little more expensive, the convenience is worth it. * Some rooms don’t have windows to the outside (rooms that are along an inner hal lway). See if there are rooms available with windows that wil l provide some sunlight..* Some goshiwon are on the top f loors of a building (on top of restau+rants or bars, etc), meaning that they are accessible to the public. Make sure you feel comfortable and safe anywhere you choose to live.

At the Airport:* Arrive at the airport for all international

flights at least 2.5 - 3 hours early for your flight.

* When going through visa/immigration, only present what is asked for. Keep a printed copy of your itinerary (with your return flight) and your acceptance letter to the program in your carry-on in case it is asked of you.

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Getting from the Airport to Korea University:* KU offers airport pickup (sign-up online) on certain dates (usually the weekend before orientation).

* Take Airport Limo Shuttle Bus #6101 (Dobong, Seongbuk) to Sungrye Elementary school (Taxi to campus)

What is the International One-Stop Service Center?* Can help international students with many aspects of school life - course registration, housing, counseling, etc...

* Incoming exchange student advisor has 24 hour hotline in case of emergencies

* [for general exchange students] Located in Dongwon Global Leadership Hall

* [for KUBS exchange students] Located in Korea University Business School main building

What to expect at your in-country orientation:* Day 1: Overview of KU & Exchange program, creating KU network IDs, campus tour

* Day 2: Create student ID cards, session on general KU related matters

* Day 3: City tour (through a tour company) - tour of Seoul’s famous landmarks, palaces, etc... Ends in Nanta performance

* (Day 3 is optional - you need to sign up if interested)

What is KUBA?* KUBA stands for Korea University Buddy Association

* KUBA are native student volunteers and foreign exchange students that are

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grouped together. KUBA volunteers are the first resources for many questions that foreign students have.

* Students are assigned to larger groups (organize larger field trips and events a couple times during the semester) and smaller buddy groups (1 Korean student to every 3-4 exchange students that meet together more regularly for coffee or meals or just to hang out).

Document Management* Make at least 2 sets of copies of all of your important documents (passport, visa, health insurance, credit cards, etc...)

* Leave at least one set of these forms at home with your parents

* Keep another set of these forms safe in your dorm at KU (someplace you will remember but no one else will find them)

* Make sure you keep the cancel lation phone numbers for al l credit cards (found on the back of your card )

Money Management:* Prior to your departure, contact your bank to alert them about your travel plans and to find out about your banks’ policies on international transactions

* Make sure your credit cards have a “Cirrus” or “Plus” marking on them, indicating that they can be used internationally.

* Opening a bank account in Korea, you will need;

* A current passport with up to date permission to stay in Korea (visa)

* Alien registration card

* Certificate of Enrollment

* There are 2 banks on campus (Hana Bank - main campus or Kookmin Bank - science campus).

* Budget!

Communication:* In the past, KUBA students have help students purchase cheap phones upon arrival in Korea.

* If you have a smartphone, depending on your phone model and provider, you may be able to purchase just a SIM card.

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* Free services such as Skype, Kakaotalk, What’s App, Jahjah, etc... Make sure your parents know how to use these before you leave!* Make sure that your parents have your flight numbers and discuss when you will make first contact with them.

Academics:* You will be contacted to complete your course registration online a few weeks before the semester starts. Follow the instructions and if you have any issues, please contact the International One-Stop Center for assistance.

* If you don’t get into al l of your classes during the online course registration, don’t panic. There is a way to petition into a course, but you must do this with faculty approval upon arrival in Korea.

* After you arrive in Korea and have registered for courses, you must complete the credit recognition form and submit it to OIP.

* Please remember, all of your credits are considered Binghamton credits and the grades do count in your GPA. You may choose to take one class on a pass/fail basis as long as the class is not required for your major or minor, and as long as you have not exceeded the limit allowed by Binghamton University. Please notify the Office of International Programs no later than the mid-point of the host university’s semester (not BU’s semester) if you intend to take a course pass/fail.

* The academic system in Korea may be very different than in Binghamton. Please adjust accordingly.

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Academic Integrity & Behavioral Expectations:* While you are abroad, you are not only representing yourself. You are also representing Binghamton University and the United States. Please make sure that your behavior at all times reflects positively.

* Even though you are not on campus at Binghamton, you are still being held to the same code of conduct while abroad that you are being held to while here at Binghamton.

* There is NO CHEATING / NO PLAGIARIZING while on this program!

* Know what Korea University’s academic policies and expectations are.

* There is also NO VIOLENCE / NO DRUG USE! Any instances of drugs, violence, or putting yourself or others in danger can result in immediate dismissal from the program.

* The legal drinking age in Korea is 19. If you are age and choose to drink, please drink responsibly. Any excessive alcohol use or abuse can also result in dismissal from the program.

* F Y I: Breaking the law in a foreign country* Be aware that you are subject to the laws of that country and you may not be afforded the same rights or privileges afforded to you in the US. The US government can only help you to a certain point. * Incidents may affect your visa status and be a cause for deportation

Transportation:Public transportation in Korea is readily available, convenient and very easy to use. It is highly recommended to purchase a T-money card, a rechargeable card that can be used on all forms

of public transportation and even as currency in certain convenience stores. T-money cards can be

purchased or charged at subway stations, convenience stores, or newspaper stands. The T-money card also makes

transferring between two different forms of transportation convenient (i.e. taking a bus and then hopping on the subway) because if you transfer within 30 minutes, you only need to pay the fare once. It is important to remember to tap the T-money card on the sensor every time you enter or exit the bus or subway. **One tip about Korean transportation manners - on both the bus and the subway, there are “priority seating” areas, which are designated seats for the elderly, mothers with young children, pregnant women or the disabled. Avoid sitting in these seats and be ready to give your seat up to a person in the aforementioned categories.

T-money Card

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* Buses* Buses in Seoul are classified by color. Green buses travel relatively short distances and provide service to other bus or subway stations where passengers can make transfers. Blue buses travel longer distances between districts along major roads. Red buses are express buses that travel from locations in Seoul to the surrounding suburbs. Depending on time of day or location, buses can sometimes be very crowded. It is important to you hold on to something, a railing or handle, especially when standing, because the bus can make abrupt stops. Traffic in Seoul can be very slow, especially around the tourist areas (Dongdaemun, Jongro, etc…). Be sure to give yourself a little extra traveling time if you plan on taking the bus. One nice feature of the bus system is that each bus/bus stop is networked by a satellite system that can tell you when the next bus is coming.

* Subway* The subway system is extremely easy to use. Each line has a number and a color associated with it (Korea University’s station is on the brown line, #6 line). To indicate which direction the subway is going, signs will indicate the last station on the line in that direction (for example: to ride from Dongmyo Station to Korea University Station, you would take the #6 brown line in the direction of Bonghwasan). For the #2 green line, which is a big loop, the direction is indicated by inner circle (goes in a clockwise direction) or outer circle (goes in a counterclockwise direction). At transit stations, signs will indicate where you can transfer to another line. Each subway station exit is numbered so it’s helpful to find out which exit is closest to your exit beforehand (or you can figure it out at the station, as each station has neighborhood maps and for major places of interest, signs will indicate the closest exit.

* Make sure to take some time to explore the underground shopping at some of the subway stations (especial ly Express Bus Terminal or Gangnam Station)

* Taxi - Taxis sometimes have a sketchy reputation among foreigners because while most taxi drivers are honest, there are always the exceptions that take advantage of the fact you don’t actually know (or they think you don’t know) where you are. Here are some tips for riding taxis:

* Don’t give a specific address, use landmarks or area names instead (ex. rather than giving your personal address, you might just say go to Korea University. You can further direct taxi drivers when you get closer to your actual destination) - the address system in Korea is sometimes very confusing and many drivers don’t know where an address is. Almost all (if not all) taxis will have GPS systems so you can give them an address, but if you know your destination is next to a specific landmark (for example, next to Gangnam Station, it’s easier just to use the landmark name).

* Use a call taxi service - if you know you’ll need a taxi from one location to another, you (or a Korean speaking friend), can call a call taxi service to pick you up. When you call, they should ask you of your destination and give you an estimate of price beforehand so you know you won’t be ripped off.

* Pay attention and do your research - some taxi drivers will try to rip off foreigners by driving them around in circles or taking an unnecessarily long route. Make sure you pay attention to the places you’re passing so that you know if you’ve been driven around in circles. Services like Naver Maps let you enter the starting location as well as the final destination and provide an approximation for taxi fare.

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Health & Safety:* First rule of health and safety: USE COMMON SENSE!

* General Safety Rules:

* Don’t travel alone - use a buddy system* Be alert - pay attention to your surroundings* Don’t bring too much attention to yourself* Don’t get involved with protests/riots/etc...* Be careful of people who are intoxicated

* HTH health insurance:

* Know how your insurance works/how to use the HTH website. * If you’re planning on going to see a doctor, call HTH to start a case file* You will also have medical evacuation/repatriation insurance - read the brochure closely and know what it covers and what is doesn’t cover

* Medications:

* Take ample supplies of any medications you take regularly; leave medications in their original, labeled containers from the pharmacy and pack a copy of the prescription with your medications. This will avoid suspicion if your bag is opened going through customs, and will allow you to refill the prescription more easily, if necessary. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring a copy of that prescription as well, so you can get replacements if your glasses/lenses are lost or broken.* Carry any medications in your carry=on baggage rather than your checked baggage.

KUBA group event

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* STEP [Smart Traveler Enrollment Program]

* What is it? STEP is government service that you sign up for. You put in your travel dates and location and the government will send periodic updates, changes to travel warnings, or assistance in case of an emergency while abroad. * How do I sign up? https://step.state.gov/

Culture Shock:Culture shock is a very real phenomenon that many students experience while studying abroad. After an initial excitement about experiencing something new, you may feel isolated, homesick, lonely, like you don’t belong, or physically sick or tired. You need to deal with these feelings so that you don’t make yourself or others around you miserable and miss out on the experience of a lifetime. Also it helps to be aware that you can’t expect the same cultural norms as in America (for example: very rarely in Korea do people say “bless you” after someone sneezes). Customs are just a little different.

If you are experiencing homesickness or culture shock:

* Do: Seek help or support from others - other friends or staff at the International Offices of KU

* Don’t : Rely too much on people from home. This wil l only make you more homesick. Set a time once a week that you wil l skype with loved ones, but try not to be constantly skyping with people back home.

* Do: Become involved. Try to go to events, meet new people, try different things. One of the great things about Seoul is that there are so many different things you can do and there are classes for just about anything you could be interested in.

* Don’t : Isolate yourself. People don’t always know that you need help unless you ask.

KUBA group event

Korea University Campus Map

Office of InternationalProgramsP hone: 607-777-2336Fax: 607-777-2889 email: oip@binghamton..edu web: oip.binghamton.edu

In case of emergencies:*First contact the IOSC @ Korea University*Then contact O IP (if the off ice is closed and it is a true emergency, contact BU Campus Police (607-777-2222)