서울
About Seoul
SI chose the city of Seoul to study Korean because Seoul is a safe city to live in, several factors such as MRT and bus transportation which are always available from 6 am to 12 pm, streets which are always brightly lit until evening and shops which are close and easy to get to. . Apart from that, people are very responsible for lost items in public, so they always report it to the police station or shop cashier on duty near where the item was found.
However, the difficulties that need to be faced include that the majority of people in the city of Seoul speak 99% Korean, whether they want to go to tourist attractions, to universities, to minimarkets, wherever they go, they always have to be prepared with Korean vocabulary that can be used. When I arrived there, I did not expect that many foreigners came and lived there and spoke fluent Korean, so the students were motivated to progress to improve their language skills.
안녕하세요
Why study Korean ?
There are many benefits that can be achieved by learning Korean, some of which I discovered after asking my friends include being able to work as an oral or written translator, trying to work part time in Korea, being able to communicate with partners who are citizens. Korea, to be able to study while on holiday and communicate with local residents, to see business opportunities in Korea, and to teach Korean. Because at first I couldn't communicate with several Korean people I knew in the city of Bandung, and also learned a lot by listening to Korean from several existing Korean dramas and reality shows, I finally decided to start learning. Apart from that, I have the desire to get the opportunity to work or do business with Korean people in the future, so I use this opportunity to invest in myself. Korean can be said to be difficult or easy. It depends on how we learn in writing, reading, listening, speaking, and memorizing vocabulary. But by practicing communicating every day in Korea, I feel that I can absorb everyday vocabulary better quickly.
In the city of Seoul there are many universities that offer Korean language study programs, with various advantages of each program so that we can choose according to our individual needs. For example, the university I chose has a greater emphasis on conversation learning than others, so that students adapt more quickly to everyday conversations. Apart from universities, there are also non-formal courses that specifically offer various types of Korean language learning programs such as intensive classes, working classes, language and culture classes, there are also those who take Korean language classes as an introductory class for undergraduate, postgraduate or postgraduate courses. S3. Which program to choose? It all depends on each individual's needs, starting from the program, whether the area is close to where you live, what your long-term study goals are, the budget provided, to when you want to study.
Because I wanted to improve my speaking/conversation skills, and got recommendations from friends who had studied there, I chose Sogang University. The program at Sogang University is famous for the quality of its speaking/conversation learning, supported by the provision of 3 hours of speaking, reading and listening time per day and 1 hour for writing.
Apart from the classes having a good curriculum, the location of the campus is also strategic because it is close to entertainment areas in Sinchon and Hongdae, there are many housing options close to the campus, there are also many restaurants and supermarkets so you don't need to worry about your daily needs.
Where to study Korean ?
When is the right time to study in Seoul ?
What are the things needed to be prepare ?
At the university where I study, namely Sogang, there are 4x registrations a year, namely spring in February, summer in June, fall in August, winter in October. Something to consider is our body's preference for different weather conditions. For example, for winter which reaches -15 Celsius it will be more suitable for people who are used to cold or fit and want to experience everyday life with extra preparations such as padding jackets, heated blankets, drinking hot water every day, heating in boarding houses, and other. Meanwhile, summer may be more suitable for us Indonesians who live in tropical countries, but we also need preparations such as clothes that are comfortable for sweating, using air conditioning every day, and other preparations.
The first thing to do is register via the university's official website. Read the specific programs available and choose a program that suits your needs and budget. I myself choose a regular program in the morning with a total of 4 hours of study 5 times a week from Monday to Friday. The following documents need to be prepared:
Online application form
ID Photo
Passport Photocopy
Family / birth certificate
A Diploma or Certificate of Graduation
Appostile for Graduation Certificate
D-4 visa submitted through the Korean Embassy in Jakarta for a minimum of 2 semesters.
Bank Statement with amount $10.000
Who needed to be contacted ?
Applying for Program Study
When registering, it is of course important to contact the administration of the university or language institution you are studying for. Usually / generally operators who respond to emails from websites will be happy to reply and explain in English.
Looking for Friends or Community in Language Program
It is recommended to look for language student groups at universities/language institutions on KakaoTalk, because generally every educational organization must have a group there.
Choosing Place to Stay
Goshiwon / onerooms for foreign students are widely advertised in Facebook groups and Kakao housing groups. Check frequently for updates and ask questions. You can also go through a professional housing agent.