Erasmus Experience in Seoul, Korea, South by Anna

Why did you choose to go to Seoul, Korea, South?

I moved to Germany from Russia 5 years ago, and decided it’s time to experience something completely different on the other side of the world.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I didn’t receive any scholarship

What is the student lifestyle like in Seoul?

It’s pretty reach, but not too stressful, at least as an exchange.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Seoul to other students?

I studied in Hanyang and can definitely recommend it. Seoul is one of my favorite places now and I’m depressed I had to leave it.

What is the food like?

There’s a lot of meaty dishes and obviously rice. Be careful if your spice tolerance is low, because Koreans love extremely spicy food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Seoul?

The service itself was free, I had to pay 150$ to book the room.

How much does it cost to live in Seoul?

Depends on the rent, for me was around 700$ with the rent per month.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Yes, language courses were mandatory, Korean is easier than most would expect, but the pronunciation might become a challenge.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Seoul?

Itaewon is crowded with foreigners and generally more risky, but some people like it. I preferred Gangnam or quieter parts of Hongdae, also Wangsimni.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Seoul?

Most of the places I visited were delicious, try out the chain Lamb+ for extremely good bbq.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Namsan and Lotte Tower are a must, the firework fest in October was spectacular. Seoul Forest is also really picturesque.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Seoul in the future?

Learn at least some basic phrases in advance, as in many shops and cafes people barely speak English.