What to expect when studying and working in South Korea as an international student

From the get-go, Chithma knew she needed to be fluent in Korean to be able to fully embrace the culture, which is why she made it the foundation of her academic journey. She followed a popular path taken by many international students: starting with a two-year Korean language diploma, then transitioning into a bachelor’s degree. 

What steps did you take before starting your study journey in South Korea? 

Even though I was going to study a Korean language diploma, I wanted to learn at least the basics of the language before migrating. At first, I started learning Korean on my own using websites like HowToStudyKorean.com, language books, and YouTube videos. Later, I decided to take it a step further and enrolled in formal Korean language classes in my home country. 

Attending those classes well in advance really helped me build a strong foundation in grammar, speaking, writing, and listening. It gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my studies in Korea. 

How did you find accommodation as a first-time international student?   

When I enrolled for my programme itself, I decided that I'm going to live in the university dormitories, so it helped me settle down a lot faster. It was also a lot cheaper than living off-campus. 

Chithma, an international student in South Korea

What’s unique about the teaching style in Korean universities? 

“Compared to other countries, the teaching style in Korea is more flexible and student-centred. Professors often use interactive methods while teaching and maintain a good balance between theory and practical activities like group discussions, presentation and projects encouraging students to constantly participate.” 

What was your biggest challenge studying in South Korea as an international student?  

“For me, it was adjusting to my bachelor’s degree which was taught in Korean, as a non-native speaker. 

“Understanding everyday Korean is one thing, but academic Korean with all the technical terms and fast-paced discussions was a bit hard for me to keep up with at the very beginning. So, I had to study double the time compared to native Korean students. 

“I reminded myself of my goals and kept going on. I was quite greedy to learn at one point, so that helped me deflect from the pressure too. It wasn't an easy journey overall, but looking back, I'm proud of how far I have come.” 

Chithma, serving as a Korean-English translator for the Philippine delegates

According to Chithma, learning Korean wasn’t too difficult for her, mainly because she had already taken beginner classes in Sri Lanka before moving abroad. 

“I studied for about six months before coming and because Korean grammar is a bit similar to my native language, I picked it up pretty fast,” she shared. “It only took me about four or five months in Korea to start speaking fluently.” 

She practiced a lot, using apps like Naver Dictionary, Quizlet and websites like howtostudyKorean.com. According to Chithma, taking every chance to speak with both locals and other international students in Korean was a great way to practice the language. 

When it comes to daily life in Korea, you don’t need to be fluent but having a basic understanding helps a lot. 

“To find jobs in Korea, you need to have passed at least TOPIK Level 3 but having TOPIK Level 2 or a beginner-intermediate (A2) level of fluency is enough for things like ordering food, shopping, or asking for directions. Koreans really appreciate it when you try communicating in the language,” advised Chithma. 

One of the trickiest parts of the culture for Chithma was learning when to use formal and informal speech based on the age of the person she is speaking with.  

“In Korea, age is an important factor in how you address and speak to others,” she explained. “But since directly asking someone’s age can be considered rude, I had to rely on context and be extra careful not to sound disrespectful by mixing up speech levels.” 

Also, the Korean way of doing things is famously quick and efficient, or as Koreans say, “Palli palli" (hurry up be fast). 

“It was a bit overwhelming at first because I wasn’t used to that,” Chithma shared. “So, I had to adjust to this fast-paced way of life, especially in school and work as it’s the norm here.” 

Making friends in South Korea as an international student

Chithma shared that one of the best ways to make friends is by taking every opportunity to strike up conversations, particularly in Korean whenever possible.  

Whether with locals or other international students, speaking Korean helped break the ice and showed that she was making an effort to embrace the culture. 

“When I started speaking to local students in Korean, I noticed they became much more open and friendly. Some would even be open to sharing their social media handles. They really appreciated seeing a foreigner make the effort to speak their language.” 

Would you recommend saving up before coming to Korea, or is part-time work enough to sustain daily life? 

“For the first six months, you’re not legally allowed to work if you’re an international student on D4 visa, and during that time, you’ll also be adjusting to the culture, lifestyle, and academic system.”  

She added that settling in takes time, especially with language barriers, getting your ID card, opening a bank account, and building connections. So having a bit of savings can help make the transition much smoother. 

On top of that, students can explore various scholarship opportunities offered by Korean universities to loosen up the financial burden a bit.  

“Every year I managed to get some sort of scholarship, at least about 20–30% but after I completed TOPIK level 6 in Korean language, I received a 60% scholarship, which was really helpful at the time,” Chithma shared.  

She also noted that many universities host competitions, like essay writing or video-making contests, where students can win quick cash prizes of $200 to $300. 

There are a variety of part-time job opportunities for international students in Korea, but availability often depends on your Korean proficiency, visa type, and how long you've been in the country. “Most students work in restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, or even factories. Some also work as assistants at university,” Chithma explained. 

Your TOPIK level plays a big role in determining how much you can work. “With TOPIK level 2, you can work up to 10 hours a week. From level 3 onwards it's 25 hours during weekdays and unlimited on weekends for international students holding a D2 visa,” she said. 

However, there are restrictions. “Students can’t work in construction. For production jobs, you need at least TOPIK level 4 or above, but even then, construction sites are still off-limits,” she added. Before starting any job, students must also get permission from immigration. 

“You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing the Korean alphabet, some basic reading, and survival phrases will really help. Use free resources like “Talk To Me In Korean” or YouTube before you arrive.  

“Korea isn’t cheap, so bring some savings with you as it takes time to find a part-time job. Most of all, be proud of yourself for choosing this journey. One day you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come. Be brave, come here, and grab every opportunity to grow into the person you want to be.”