• Population: 51.5 million
• Capital: Seoul
• Demographics: Homogeneous, over 99% Korean in ethnic background
• Type of government: Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
• Type of currency in country: Korean won
• Common foods: kimchi, bibimbap, hotteok, bulgogi

Korean is the official language of Korea.

Other languages spoken in Korea include English and Japanese. Most Koreans under 40 have taken English in school, but because of limited opportunity to practice, it is not exceptionally widely spoken throughout the country. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with a basic level of Korean before traveling to Korea.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

Tourist visas are required for any stays in South Korea, regardless of length of stay. Visit the Consulate General of Korea in Chicago's website for more information about visa type, price, and application process.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• There are a few main and most available cell phone providers in South Korea: SK Telecom, KT (Olleh), and LG U+.
• For short-term stays, it is common to purchase a prepaid SIM card and use the data from it for simple communication purposes upon arrival.
• For long-term stays, it is common to purchase a monthly phone data plan as it may be more cost-effective, but this does require opening a Korean bank account.
• Read about SIM cards, phone plans, and phone usage in Korea.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• South Korea has a highly developed digital infrastructure and one of the highest levels of internet access in the world. WiFi is widely available in most airports, hotels, restaurants, railway stations, and even KTX trains. Seoul itself has roughly 10,000 free WiFi hot spots.
• You can also rent portable routers called "eggs" or "pocket WiFi" to create a connection hot spot through major cell providers. These cost about $4-$8 per day.
• Read about WiFi "eggs" and local SIM cards.

Electricity

• Korea uses type C and type F plugs for electronics. You will need to purchase a plug adapter to make sure you can use your electronics.
• While an adapter makes your device fit into the local outlet, a converter converts the voltage. The voltage will not be the same as in the U.S., as Korean voltage is 220 volts and 60 Hz. It is recommended that you do NOT bring appliances such as hair dryers or hair straighteners with you unless you also purchase a voltage converter.

Banking Tips

• There are a handful of banks with operational ATMs around Korea, including Citibank, HSBC, KEB Hana, Standard Chartered, and Woori Bank.
• Check with your local bank before traveling to South Korea about ATM fees, exchange rates, and to notify your bank of your travels.
• Using a credit or debit card is relatively widely acceptable in well-established stores and restaurants, but it is always a good idea to have a little local currency for emergencies.
• Read about banking tips at banking in Korea.

Geography

• Korea is only about the size of Portugal, or seven times smaller than Texas.

Climate

• Korea has a temperate climate including four seasons, characterized by long, dry winters and short, humid summers.
• Temperatures in Korea average about 25 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Temperatures across the country also vary by season because of mountains in the northeast and long coastal areas in the southeast.

Packing

• It is recommended that you pack comfortable clothing and shoes with socks, but choose clothing in summer conservatively.
• Bring clothing that will be easy to sit on the floor in, as you may sit on the floor during meals.
• In larger cities like the capital, locals usually dress up nicely, so bring some clothing dressier than than jeans and t-shirt.
• A jacket and winter gear like hats and gloves are recommended for the winter, as Korea does experience all four seasons.
• For more packing considerations, view the Packing List (PDF).

Traveling Locally

• Korea is internally connected by an extensive system of subways, railways, bus routes, highways, and ferries.
• Travelling by train is the most comfortable and efficient way to get between major cities (the KORAIL rail pass may be a good idea if you are planning to travel on the train often).
• Buses are cheap, efficient, and not so crowded outside of major city limits, and there are apps available to preview bus routes before you ride.
• Taxis in Korea are safe and inexpensive, and the very modern subway system boasts about 400 stops with more than a dozen lines. You have the option to pre-load a subway card for efficient access.
• Read more about public transportation at public transportation in Korea.

Flights

• The largest airport in Korea is Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, with the most airlines and global flight connections. Other airports include Gimhai International Airport in Busan, Jeju International Airport in Jeju City, and Gimpo in Seoul, among others.
• Common airlines include: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, Jeju Air, and Eastar.

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.