When you bow to a shopkeeper or your friend, a head nod is acceptable, but if you have sincerely wronged someone you better bow with your hands on your stomach and your back almost parallel to the ground and hold it for a good 5 or more seconds. It doesn’t matter if you’re giving or receiving something, in South Korea, they do it with both hands. Alternatively you can also apply directly to a university in Korea and enroll there after your high school graduation. will wear makeup daily, even if they aren’t going anywhere special. If you are going to Seoul, you can also find a variety of different types of cuisine in Itaewon. Suneung: Find Out Why South Korea Becomes Silent For a Day, Every Year. However, part of the fun of going to live in a culture different from the one you are used to is trying new things. In Korea, you will always be greeted by the clerks. 1. Koreans tend to share their meals… I have never seen a table get separate dishes and not share. In restaurants or people’s homes, it is customary to take off your shoes. I have heard that many employers will pay for your travel to Korea. This is because of the old infrastructure and plumbing. And that is amazing –I wish you the best of luck with your language exchange program and I hope you will have many great adventures in Korea! Korea uses a system called 종량제입니다 jongnyangje for the effective collection of garbage wastes and to reuse natural resources. We know you’re not learning Korean just to sing along to your favorite K-Pop songs so put those skills to good use if you find yourself in Korea! In other news, here is an update on my time at Konkuk: Busan was amazing (Pictures below) and I just had 5 days off of school for Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving (Korean Thanksgiving is similar to American Thanksgiving). Buyeo is famous for it’s ancient fortresses and temples. She said, “bake them a cake!”. I wish you the best of luck and I sincerely hope that you will be able to travel to Korea! I live in California in a city that is very Korean and I tend about a lot and this always embarrasses my husband. ^o^. Wash the dishes, lay the table, stick the chopsticks in the rice. We adhere to all copyright laws and honour the wishes of the producers. Try to eat everything on your plate and alternate between the side and main dishes as you eat. Do you know other things that you should never do in South Korea? However, I do not know much about working in Korea as I was not allowed to work in Korea with my VISA. You should use chopsticks for the vegetables and meat. Healer is an awesome show by the way. Korea has food for everyone! DO drink after you have finished eating your meal. I’m glad you enjoyed my post! If you go through a program provider, the application will be online through their website, as will the application for direct enrollment into a Korean University. Exposed shoulders or barebacks are considered slightly indecent. It was quite detailled and the fotos were enjoyable as well. In some cases, if you have done some serious wrong, you may even have to get on your knees to apologize. Bear this in mind when choosing your socks! I hope that you will have an awesome time in Korea!! I’m glad you enjoyed my post! Hi Nelly! The overall message, dress to impress! 3. How low and long you bow indicates your level of sincerity and the status of the person you are bowing to. The same also goes for being excused from the table before your elders have finished eating. – a quirk in Korean law means that most tattoos are done illegally. Although Seoul is definitely the first place everyone thinks of in South Korea and offers up a whole bunch of new and exciting things to see, you should try to head outside the city at least once during your trip. If you buy something, DO hand your card or money to the cashier with BOTH hands or support your outstretched right hand at the elbow with your left hand. Don’t Speak Loudly Just plopping on one of these seats can be seen as offensive and rude. About your first concern, you do not have to be fluent in Korean to attend a college in Korea –especially if you apply through the Office of International Programs at the school. You wouldn’t want to offend them, right? Don’t Give Things With Just One Hand South Korea is one of those places that we may visit just once in a life time because well… It’s in a bit of a troubled area. We at Bright Side found 16 things that are prohibited in North Korea for you to see for yourself. 1. Throwing the tissue in the garbage will prevent clogs and blockages. If you are eating at a cafe, more westernized restaurant, or say the school cafeteria, don’t worry about taking your shoes off. I also recommend considering applying directly for jobs in Korea if you cannot afford to study there. In the cafeteria do as the Koreans do and DON’T grab a glass of water with your meal. It is a sign of respect to wait for the elders to eat before you do. If you go anywhere, whether it’s a restaurant or someone’s home, and see a step up with a whole bunch of shoes laying around, don’t forget to take off your own kicks! I studied abroad in Seoul at Konkuk University through my home university and a study abroad program called International Studies Abroad Agency (ISA). This applies especially if you are using public transport as it is considered rude when you speak too loudly. Throwing the tissue in the garbage will prevent clogs and blockages. Don’t ever stab your food with your chopsticks or place your chopsticks up right into your rice. This part of Korean culture stems from their roots in Confucianism and the honor placed on age and experience. You can try “farmping”. Because I dont eat pork or drink Alcohol as part of my religion I am concerned. Some of the most reputable universities in Korea are: Sungkyunkwan University, Korea University, Konkuk University, Yonsei University, Ehwa Womans University, Hanyang University, and Seoul National University to name a few (also consider looking at universities outside of Seoul). To find more information I recommend “google-ing” your options for program providers and study abroad options for universities in your home country. We adhere to all copyright laws and honour the wishes of the producers. Hey, I really enjoyed your post! or Even if the alcohol is replaced with water, the idea is not to refuse the gesture. You might get yelled at or receive some harsh looks if you sit in certain seats on public transportation. Itaewon is known for its “foreign” restaurants ranging from Italian food, to Middle Eastern food, to Thai food, to Mexican food. I’m glad you’re interested in studying in South Korea! Particularly with the Boeing. You are expected to throw the tissue into the garbage can in the toilet. On public transportation especially it can be seen as rude if you’re talking too loud so try your best to remember this one. While a lot of the things on this list have been about Korean culture, in general, it’s also important to remember to have fun! You name it, Korea probably has it, and people make them look stylish, not tacky. Seoul might be the first thing you think of when you plan your visit to South Korea. This gesture is done as a sign to show respect. We usually respect our elders, but Koreans take it to another level. Even K-pop, or Korean pop-music, has taken over the world. If you sit at certain spots at public transportations, you might get some harsh looks or even worst, yelled at. Here, it’s also a sign of respect to wait for the elders to start eating. It has become a very popular travel destination over the past years, whether for traditional sight-seeing, cultural immersion, or shopping. Whether it’s on the bus or on the subway there are areas marked off for the elderly and disabled, and just plopping down in one of these seats can come off as offensive. Tattooing. This was because the metal would change color if the food was poisoned). If you fail to do either of the two things mentioned above, Koreans will glare at you and mutter “Aiee, weegook-saram..” —ugh, foreigner…. Source: https://sa.kapamilya.com. However, you should try to head out of the city to experience authentic Korean culture with the local people. We gather the news and films as we search the web and present them to our viewers. Planning a visit to South Korea? We know you aren’t going to be a picky eater! The professor (or your boss) will think you are bored with their lecture and perceive you as being rude. (Pic: Kim Jong Un) But, if you do, remember these things not to do so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Whilst having a tattoo is not illegal in Korea – though may ban you from entering some jjimjilbangs! Garbage must be separated according to whether it is common garbage, food waste, recyclable and large waste objects. Looking back on my time living and teaching in South Korea, I often think “ if only I had known that BEFORE moving to Korea.” There are so many things that we take for granted in our day-to-day lives that we miss only … Don’t Drink While Front-Facing The Elders, 8. You can also do just as I did — by applying to a university in your home country and then after a year or two, going either through an exchange or program provider for a semester/year. 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving To Korea. Bowing is something that everyone in Korea does, all the time. Want to apologize for bumping into someone on the subway? You WILL need to make an initial investment if you plan to study abroad in Korea. (I highly recommend kimchi fried rice and ddukbaegi bulgogi!) If you feel you must yawn in public cover your yawn with one or preferably both hands. If you go out wearing sweat pants or a sloppy outfit Koreans will think that you have just about given up on life. But bear in mind that there are more places to see, such as Suwon in Gyeonggi Province or go all the way to Busan. So now that you know how to dress, how to act in class/at work and on the subway, shop, and eat food properly in Korea, you’re pretty much an expert on Korean etiquette! Korean food consists of many side dishes. Hey, sharing really is caring. Don’t write someone’s name in red ink as this is considered a bad omen. Pick a random seat on public transportation. Even though it has made a lot of advances when it comes to technology and modernization, its society still remains rooted in tradition and the practices that come along with it. I told my grndamother how you helped. Do you have any tips around this or to solve it? Besides waiting for an elderly person to start drinking, you are also not allowed to drink directly in front of them. Girls and guys alike, aren’t afraid to try out some snail cream, or pig collagen masks designed to brighten, smooth wrinkles, and making their skin healthier overall.