Coming to Korea as Engineer Student and Packing Tips

Early life and motivation to apply for higher studies

Life is short but dreams push the man to move forward for their accomplishment and happiness has no limit when you are on the way to it. Being a technology aspirant, the thirst never ends and it always find the ways to get the knowledge. My autobiography is somewhat same with other Pakistanis, which starts from the Pakistan where life is so simple. To take part in the wellness of human being in any field, higher studies is one of the options to cope up with. When I was looking for options to study abroad, then I came to know about Korea as one of the leading options for me because of my field (Engineering). In fact, I was surprised that Korea has progressed so fast and stands in the list of advanced developed countries.

Korea as a one of the leading options

Korea has very well-known companies i.e. Samsung, LG and Hyundai having very high technology. Apart from study point of view, social life is an important factor to travel other country. Yes, I choose Korea because of reasons like, advanced technology, natural beauty reserves, interesting historical culture and places, very low crime rate, free Wi-Fi everywhere:), very clean environment, organized transport system, variety of food, and cultural exchange.

Busan cityscape at Haeundae

Packing tips

Before moving to any country things to keep with you are based on every aspect, from social point to weather conditions. First priority should be given to the baggage limits provided by the airline that you are using to come to Korea. Try your best to get maximum baggage limits from your Travel agents and give priority to the items of basic necessity to avoid last minute tension and unnecessary expenditure.

The points mentioned hopefully indicates most of the items that you may be in immediate requirement for the first few weeks until you settle down well in Korea. Sort of guideline to help you to pick and choose the necessary things.

1. Stationary/study items:- Put one notebook in your hand bag with a pen. Never forget to take Korean dictionary (Eng-Kor/Kor=Eng) with you. If you bring your smartphone, download Googld map instead because you might have problems in communication because every person is not familiar with English language. Nevertheless, people are loving and caring. The grammar book will help throughout the stay in Korea.

Keep driving license along with other travelling documents. If you are student, put all important educational documents in your bag including visa documents because you can be asked anytime about that.

2. Clothing:- Cloths to keep with you, depends on the environmental conditions and season. Korea has four seasons-spring, summer, fall and winter. Bring your clothing depending on the time of your arrival. If the travel is in summer, then keep the half sleeve or sleeveless shirts with lighter dress (pants/jeans). As Korea has variety of brands, it would be highly recommended that use Korea for shopping of clothes. In case of winter season, put warm clothes with a padded jacket/wind breaker with you (highly suggested). Weather of Korea is somehow uncertain, can be different from your country so, be careful and search the weather forecast before leaving. Some items are like gloves, hat, mask, and jacket must be kept in baggage. Take one formal and a set of joggers with you.   

Snowfall in Daegu during spring season

3. Food and kitchen stuff:- Generally, Korea has number of options for eatables but in starting life keep some spices and nonperishable foods with you that you think is necessary. There is one top secret behind the healthier life of Korean people is their healthy food. That’s why the average life of Korean people is comparatively higher than other Asian countries. Some of the Korean foods are kimchi, bibim-bap and chi-gay (highly recommended). Vegetarian and non-veg can enjoy the food because the options are countless. Kitchen stuff is easily available everywhere in Korea. The recommended spots are Daiso, Lotte mart, and Home mart. Online shopping are G-market and Coupang.

Korean traditional food with multiple side dishes

4. Cosmetics and Medicines: (Cosmetics are very cheap in Korea):- Keep the very basic items with you because Korea is very well-known for its cosmetics in the world. Shaving kit and deodorants are necessary for men during initial days. Most medications for minor problems like cold, headaches and indigestions are available without prescription.  Otherwise, never forget to bring your medication you need daily.

5. Miscellaneous but most Important:- a) Try to contact someone in Korea for receiving if possible or have a note of local contact info in handy or save it on your smartphone. Search out the map where to travel in Korea if you are stranger, check the transport system used for the final destination. It is very easy to access any place in Korea as the transport system is very well-developed. b) Exchange some Korean currency (won). c) Read about Korean culture that how people say greetings to each other while meeting. It will be preferable if you ask someone for help and say at first sight annyong-ha-say-yo. d) Don’t worry about the internet connection. You will find the Wi-Fi everywhere in Korea. e) Note down the important numbers while have an emergency in Korea or at least dial 1330 for tourist hotline. f) At airport you can buy mobile data or temporary sim card. g) Korea is interesting for exploring natural beauty. Sort out the places first and use public transport to visit.

Jeju Island

Korea as a Pride

There are few places on the earth where life is like a heaven and Korea is one among them. Despite the communication gap, you can enjoy the cultural festivals, love and care from people, natural beauty especially the green city Changwon, Jeju and Yangyang, spring season (cherry blossom) having number of festivals, national events like thanks giving day “chuseok”, relatively free from any kind of racism, and many more. This is one of the best place to travel and enjoy the vacations or to live in.

Pohang beach: a sign of liveliness

Natural beauty representation in Busan

Looking for a better future and a better self

Enjoying the cherry blossom in Busan, the first time I saw it!

When everybody asked me ‘why are you studying Korean language?’ I always answer, ‘why not?’ Studying other cultures and languages is fascinating, it helps understanding better the world around you, meeting and talk with people you would have never thought before, and also realize some things about yourself and your own culture!

My not-so common background!

I majored in East Asian Studies, specialization on Korea, in 2015, being part of the first class that ever graduated in that major in my country, and also the Spanish-speaking world. My job prospective didn’t look so well, nobody in the country had heard before about my major, and Korea was still not a well known country in Spain. In addition, my Korean was kind of mediocre, not enough for a job, and no classes to continue improving. So I had 2 options, the first was stay in my parents’ house while trying to find a job and probably just work in something not related to my major, or I could get out of my comfort zone and apply for the Korean Government Scholarship Program. And that’s what I did.

The scholarship that changed my life for the best!

KGSPis the biggest and most important scholarship of Korea. It consists of one year of Korean Language course and 4, 2 or 3 years for undergraduate, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree, respectively. This scholarship pays for everything: from airfare, to tuition and living expenses. Every year, hundreds of students from all over the world are granted this scholarship and start a new stage in their life. I was lucky enough to be one of them. After quite a long and complicated process, I came to Korea on the summer of 2016 to study a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management in Daegu. I had 3 objectives in mind, study Korean until I got an advanced level, complete a Master’s Degree so I could specialized more my career, and challenge myself living abroad for 3 years.

Here we went  to fulfill a Korean tradition - watch the first sunrise of the year!

Not a newbie to Korea!

It wasn’t my first time in Korea -as I already stayed for 4 months in Incheon as an exchange student by my own-, and my major provided me with plentiful knowledge about the country. I knew already the cultural cues, the busy lifestyle of Korea and the spiciness of the food, but anyway I was still fascinated with everything and I enjoyed it as it was the first time.

My two loves in Korea: Busan and Daegu

I spent my first year of Korean language course in Busan. There, I was able to study Korean with people from all different countries and experience a lot of fun culture activities. After I finished my year of language study, I came to Daegu for my Master’s. In KGSP program, the students choose the university they like most from a list provided by the organization, and it's assigned a different city for their language program. They do this so students can have different experiences in Korea, which I think it's a great idea! So, why choose Daegu? Well, I didn’t want to live in Seoul, too crowded, busy and too much of a big city for me. In Daegu I had one of my best friends in Korea, and while looking for universities that had a Master’s degree in Tourism Management, some universities of Busan and Daegu showed up. Out of them, Keimyung University looked the best, their dorm was cheap and they had an international lounge where meeting new Korean friends would be easy! So I decided to choose Daegu as my city to live for at least 2 years.

In front of the sign of my language course  university, Dongseo University!

One of the many times I could try a hanbok during my language school course

Me and my closest friends in Daegu in front of ColorfulDaegu sign!

Getting to know people from different backgrounds!

I started my Master’s Degree, which is quite different from undergraduate; less competitiveness and fewer exams, but it is expected of you to study more on your own and develop your research topic. Also, I was the youngest student, as all of my classmates are already working and in their 30s or 40s. While is true that in Korea people usually don't go directly for graduate school, I think my major was quite special, as most of my classmates started working first and then decided to specialize more with a Phd or Master's degree. At first I was surprised and kind of sad that there weren’t that many people of my age, but now I’m so happy it is the way it is. It has helped me getting to know Korean people of different ages and background I was used to. It’s been a great experience and I’m learning a lot thanks to my professors and classmates. Don’t be afraid! People here are super nice and they always will try to help you and make you feel better if you have any problem! :)

My class in the language school in Busan! People from all the continents!

A long flight to pursue my dream!

While I didn’t need to prepare a budget before coming to Korea, because my scholarship paid for everything (you should really look it up if you want to come to Korea, seriously!), I can give an approximate budget of what I spent in my first months in Korea. I’m from Spain so I took a plane from my city, Malaga (Malaga airport) to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), and then another plane to Incheon (Incheon International Airport), and lastly a third plane to Busan (Gimhae Airport). Of course, there is a direct plane from Spain to Incheon, from the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, but it was more expensive. It was a long trip that cost around 1100 dollars, it can cost you less if you look it earlier than I did! After that, the first month it’s going to be the most expensive; you need to buy for the first time a lot of things (dorm or room rent, bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff if you cook, a sim card, transportation card, and also you’ll probably travel more), but I would say that around 900 dollars would be enough. In Daegu, the price range would be around 250~400 dollars per month for a room with kitchen and bathroom for yourself (called oneroom), and 150~200 per month if you live in a dorm! Don’t worry, after that you’ll spend less! I can live with 600 dollars per month in my own oneroom!

Practicing caligraphy for the first time in my life!

Now after almost 2 years here I can say I did the right thing leaving my comfort zone in Spain and try to challenge myself living in this wonderful and fascinating country! I’ve learn more Korean, more about Korea culture, and more about myself! Don’t miss the opportunity to come if you can! :)