Erasmus Experience in Seoul, Korea, South by Nasser

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

Mostly, I chose to come here because I got a scholarship. That's the main reason to be here.

Source

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

I had a scholarship for 4 years as a PhD student, but this scholarship period is not enough to finish a doctoral program in engineering. Even for domestic students, they spend 6~7 years to get a PhD degree.

I was receiving 900 000 Won per month. It hardly covers the basic things for a student life.

What is the student lifestyle like in Seoul?

Seoul is very expensive comparing to other cities, so, for a student with a limited budget, it is kind of a challenge, but it is manageable.

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

I would probably recommend it, but I think other cities like Busan and Daegu are quite good places too, people outside of Seoul are kinder and more caring about foreigners than the people who live in Seoul.

What is the food like?

The Korean food is the easiest to find here, but you can easily find other kinds of food. The Korean food itself is delicious and healthy, but it’s spicy.

Source

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Seoul?

Accommodation is very expensive in Seoul, and I would recommend students to apply for a dormitory, because it’s much better in terms of condition and prices.

How much does it cost to live in Seoul?

I think 1000 US dollar will be enough for a student to live here. The amount would cover the accommodation, food and transport.

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

The language is not easy but not too tough, and most of the universities here provide classes. But I think the weak point is, they don't know how teach the language to foreigners. That's according to my experiences here so far.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel here?

I am living in Seoul and the cheapest way to travel between cities is the bus.

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

Hong-dae and Itaewon, those are quite famous among foreigners.

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

I am not sure about good restaurants. There are a few, but expensive so I don't have much experience on this subject.

Source

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

• Gyeongbokgung
• Insa-dong
• Namsan Tower

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

If anyone has any question about Seoul, I could provide advise as long as I have some knowledge about the topic needed. Here is my email: [email protected], send me messages and feel free to ask.