If you’re an international student living in Korea, you’re probably always on the lookout for good quality at good prices. With so many shopping options, it can get overwhelming (and expensive real quick). But no more gatekeeping! Here are 5 budget-friendly shops that might just make your life a whole lot easier while living in Korea. 

Seoul

5 Budget-Friendly Shops for International Students in Korea

Stamp Your Way Through the Han River’s Past — Join the Free History Tour!

Hello, Kampers! 🌱 Last but not least, ASAPEC was the winner of the K-campus Club Shout-out Challenge, showing a massive engagement and support from the association members!🥳 

Club Shout-out Series #3. Meet ASAPEC!

Hey there Kampers, this is Jandi again! 🖐️🌱  PIKO, another winner of the K-campus Club Shout-out Challenge, is the main character this time and will be sharing with you what they do and how PIKO works! 🥳 

Club Shout-out Series #2. Meet PIKO!

Best Everyday Facilities for International Students: Health Edition

Hello, Kampers! 🖐️This is Jandi! 🌱 This March, university clubs and international communities went all out in the K-campus Club Shout-out Challenge, bringing their awesome engagement and great teamwork to the spotlight! 

Club Shout-out Series #1. Meet Iyagi Hour!

K-Pop, Night Runs, and Street Parties  — Seoul Spring Festa Has It All!

Wildfire Safety Guide: How to Protect Yourself and Your Home

Are you looking to meet fellow students, explore 
and learn about different cultures, and dive into some exciting discussions at Korea University? KU’s student societies have something for everyone!
 

Explore Korea University GSIS Foreign-Friendly Societies: Connect, Learn, and Have Fun!

At the University of Utah Asia Campus, the sound of shuttlecocks slicing through the air signals more than just a competitive game — it’s a celebration of connection. The Badminton Club has quickly become a vibrant space where Korean and international students come together, rallying not just for points, but for friendship, laughter, and shared experiences. 

Incheon

Badminton Club: Where students make meaningful connections one game at a time 🏸 

Academy of Korean Studies

Gyeonggi

A Taste of Campus: A Review of the Academy of Korean Studies Cafeteria

Looking for some good food to nourish you after classes on campus? SNU has some great options you can choose from!  These are two of my favourite eating spots on campus but
there are manyyy more. 

SNU Students' Favourite Food Spots on Campus

Hi! It's Fio once again. Today I come to you with a hopefully interesting review of my first ever internship. 

Long story short, I studied Political Science, so I am relatively well versed in all things political ideologies, history, political parties, etc. Not so much elevators.

I graduated last month, but I had been feeling the pressure to find a job since I started my last year at university. What if I graduate and I can't find any decent work options? What if I apply to the D10 visa and I can't even find a part time job? I am sure most international students hoping to stay here after graduation have similar thoughts now and then.

Last year November, while browsing on K-Campus(shout out to Jandi) I found an announcement for a Global Winter Internship Program at Hyundai Elevator. My thought process went like:

"Internship??? Ok girl, just apply first and see what exactly you have to do later if you pass."

I applied to the Overseas Business Department (해외영업부) since it was the most adaptable to my major (of course I can't go into R&amp;D as a Social Science undergraduate). To do business abroad you have to know other countries' politics! 🤓

I didn't have much hope, but I got a message saying I passed the first round (document screening) and was set to have an in-person interview on Dec. 8th (P.S.: the interview schedule could not be changed). I was ecstatic yet terrified. The day prior to the interview I perused the company's entire website, read their whole wikipedia page, memorized their slogan, CEO's name, looked up where they currently do business abroad, etc. I was R.E.A.D.Y.

The dreaded day of the interview arrived sooner than hoped for. It was super cold, but the nerves made me sweat as if it were 40 degrees outside. I kept repeating my self introduction in front of the convenience store facing the company building. "안녕하십니까? 저는 성균관대학교 정치외교학과 피오렐라입니다...😵‍💫🫠" The interview was at 9 A.M., and we entered in groups of three or two. To my surprise, the questions they asked were super simple, exactly what I had not practiced for. Some that I can recall were:

I was expecting stuff like "explain how elevators work." Just kidding, but the questions were so simple that I almost couldn't remember where I had traveled to before. Anyway, I gave it my best and tried to come up with good answers on the spot while seeming as confident as possible despite being on the verge of fainting due to the nerves.

📌One of my brothers gave me a tip prior to the interview (he has a lot of experience interviewing potential employees): pretend it is a conversation with a friend. Of course, talk with all due respect, but reply as the authentic Fio would, do not try to overly complicate your answers. Also, do not overshare.

As a D2 visa holder, I had to get a permit to work before the internship started. The company sent us a notice with the paperwork we needed to prepare and they provided us with the rest. Once all was collected, we had to visit the Immigration Office and apply for a "체류자격 외 활동 허가서," or a permit they stick to your passport so you can work legally as a student. You can submit the paperwork online on the <a href="https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt">HiKorea</a> website or make a reservation online and submit them in person like I did. I received the permit on the same day of my application!

Mom, it's my first day of work!: OT Day

The entire first day was an introduction to the company and the Global Internship Program. We briefly learned the history of the Hyundai Corporation, took an MBTI test(the official one), did several ice breakers, set up our work computers, got our name tags, and had lunch at the company's cafeteria + went to a nearby café. They also prepared some 입사 선물 (gifts for joining the company) for us! My favorite was the pack of business cards.

On the second day, we all moved on to our respective departments. Within the Overseas Sales Department, I was assigned to the Americas/Europe Team. I met the Team Leader, other team members, the Department Director, and my mentor (turns out that the people who were going to be our mentors were the ones who interviewed us, so it wasn't our first ever meeting). That day we had lunch with all the Team Leaders and the Director (We: Me and another intern from the Asia Team). 

The first week I didn't get assigned specific tasks and instead was told to just look around the company website and learn as much as possible about elevators, the business they do, which countries they sell to, etc. The second week we rested due to 설날(Lunar New Year). After that, I was afraid I wasn't going to get asked to do anything, so I kept on begging my mentor to give me just something to do that would be useful to them. Soon enough, other team members noticed I was eager to help, so they began giving me work: make a PPT, translate documents, research rival companies in markets of interest and make presentations of that, etc. I gave my best and more for every little mission I was given, and soon enough the Team Leader himself started asking me to research certain things and make PPTs or organize information on Excel for him.

In the third week, we had the opportunity to visit the Hyundai Elevator headquarters in Chungju. I woke up at four to catch the shuttle bus taking us all the way there. We had breakfast at the cafeteria, then attended a lecture on the basic working mechanisms of elevators (super useful for my final project) alongside other 신입(new actual employees, not interns). Then we were given a tour of what engineers in training go through. They showed us all the parts of an elevator, how they work, all the different design options, etc. Two very respected professors in the field showed us around and explained things in such a way a newbie would easily understand :) (no pictures of the parts were allowed, but trust me, seeing the inner workings of an elevator was super cool). I realized we take elevators for granted, but they are complex machines that deserve more praise really! Imagine a life without them!

The main goal of the internship was to give us a taste of what working at a Korean company is like, and we had to turn in a final project on the last day of the internship. Six weeks is a very short time frame, but I still wanted to do something that would be actually helpful to the team, so I consulted a lot with my mentor and the Team Leader to decide on the final topic. I ended up doing a general research of the competition in Europe: seven companies of interest, trends they currently follow, product layout in the European market, status of adherence to EU regulations, business locations, production facilities, etc. Turns out it is really hard to do market research on elevators... haha🥲

I also had to fill up an OJT(On the Job Training) Journal weekly with things I did, what I learned, and any questions/comments for my mentor. I was then given feedback, so it was a good way to check up on my progress. 

I am not an avid drinker at all, which is why I was worried about having to go to a company dinner. However, it turned out to be such a nice experience, and there was no obligation to drink either (many in the group chose not to). We had very nice food, and only went till the second round (some went for a third😅). I definitely felt that I got closer to the team after the outing; we could finally talk in a more relaxed manner, joke around, and have some fun outside the office environment. I was also by far the youngest in my team, but despite the age gap, the environment was surprisingly chill. 

Overall, we were really well fed during the internship period. Not only were lunch and dinner free at the company's cafeteria, but we would also get coffee after lunch (sometimes for breakfast too), snacks while working, and sometimes had lunch outside the office with fellow interns or team members. 

 On the last day, I was even given the honor of choosing the menu for lunch!

On the final day, we worked until around 3 PM to give the finishing touches to our final projects. After saying our goodbyes and thank yous to fellow team members, there was a closing ceremony. We shared some of our best memories and lessons learned during the internship. We were also awarded our certificates of completion plus a gift provided by the HR team. Then we moved on to our dinner spot and final 회식 with only interns and the lovely HR team manager in charge of us. It was so so so fun, but somewhat bittersweet to say goodbye so early to such kind people :)

A few thoughts I had almost the whole time were: are they going to think I'm stupid for asking such a basic question? Am I asking for too much help? What if they think I can't do anything on my own?

The answer, of course, is no. Interns are there to learn, especially when it's a field they have absolutely no background in. What does a Political Science major know about elevators?! Let me tell you, not much!

 So if you are currently struggling with feelings of uselessness at your internship or if in the future you encounter such issues, remember we are all beginners at one point. Sure, you have to show initiative and try to learn as much as possible on your own, but your 선배들, your mentors, are there to guide you and help you grow. So, ask away! And even if you make mistakes, remember, that is the best way to learn :) (unless it's deleting the company's entire database ㅋㅋ)

All in all, we can only go up from here! (get the pun? Elevators go up! Well, I guess they go down too...hahaha) Thankfully, I got an offer to extend my internship period, so if all goes well, I should return to work as soon as my new visa is out. But really, working for the first time is scary. The corporate world is scary. But if that's your goal, go for it, give it your best and don't be too harsh on yourself! ☺️

My Internship Experience at Hyundai Elevator

When the final year of your studies is approaching, you start wondering about jobs or internships. But how is this process in Korea?

Applying for an internship or job can be overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with the process. Let me share my experience to give you an idea of what to expect.

The first time I applied for an internship, I didn’t know anything about the process—not even how interviews worked. But as time went on, I got the hang of it.

Where can you find information about jobs? Jobda and other Korean job platforms are great options, but if you want to focus on positions specifically open to foreigners, K-Campus is an excellent choice. They upload new job postings for foreigners daily. Plus, their Instagram page provides a weekly summary of the available positions.

Once you find a job to apply for, writing your application comes next. Unlike in many other countries, Korean companies usually don’t ask for a resume. Instead, you’ll fill out your information directly on their application pages and answer a few self-introduction questions.

The number of questions usually ranges from 2 to 5. These responses are the most critical part of your application, so make sure to highlight your strengths.

📍Tip: Do research about the position and company you’re applying to. Many companies have a section on their websites where they explain the role and responsibilities. Use that information to tailor your answers.

After applying, you’ll typically wait 1 to 2 weeks for a response. Results often come on Fridays, and interviews are usually scheduled for the following Monday to Wednesday.

Some companies have tests before the interview stage, such as:

Before the real interview, some companies conduct an AI interview. These are automated and vary by company. Common formats include:

You’ll answer these on a platform where your camera records you, and there’s usually a timer for each response.

📍Tip: Practice using Jobda 역량검사, which offers mock AI interviews and explains the process.

Most interviews are in person. When preparing for your first interview, you may wonder:

You can also find commonly asked questions by searching for the company and position online.

Some companies may have up to three rounds of interviews . While this can be stressful, take it one step at a time.

After passing the interviews, there is usually a physical exam and visa application process. I haven’t reached this stage yet, so I can’t provide more details 😭.

A Unique Aspect of Korean Job Applications

Here’s the fun part: Did you know that some companies give gifts to interviewees ? Some Korean companies reward interviewees with gifts, vouchers, or even cash! Not every company does this, but it’s a delightful surprise from larger companies. Even if you don’t get the job, the experience (and perks) make it worthwhile😎.

📍Final Advice: Rejection isn’t the end—it’s experience you gain for better opportunities in the future. Good luck to everyone applying for jobs, and let’s hope we all find the job of our dreams! 💪

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From Applications to Interviews: My Experience Finding Work in Korea

Being an ex-apolitical individual, I never expected to grow such a keen interest in democracy, politics and human rights while living in Korea.

Despite studying a major that's not directly related to international studies or political science, I found myself joining a variety of programs aimed at promoting youth leadership and active citizenship. One of my absolute favorite experiences besides joining Model United Nations and UNESCO conferences, was actually interning for an NGO.

My journey into civic society broadened my perspective on the role citizens play in their government. Coming from a country where civic responsibility isn’t widely embraced, it was unfamiliar—even strange—at first to realize that we, as civilians, hold as much responsibility as our governing bodies. This revelation led me to set a personal goal of interning for an NGO before graduating.

From MUNSF to PSCORE: Fate and Networking.

I joined MODEL United Nations Strategic Framework as the UN Development Program delegate. The conference, organized by PSCORE and the National Institute for Unification Education, was a chance to connect with passionate youth and learn about North Korea. During this event, I met interns from PSCORE and saw firsthand the work they were doing. A few days later, I applied for an internship position.

Thankfully, I received an honorable mention at the conference, which I believe helped me secure an interview. Although I was concerned about not living in Seoul, I did my best during the interview and hoped for the best. Soon after, I was thrilled to be offered a part-time internship!

During my time with PSCORE, I tried to experiment with different areas to help me grow both professionally and personally but my main role was within the Communications team. It included researching North Korean human rights news, creating various content, appearing in front of the camera and occasionally assisting with event organization. I also briefly joined the Research team before my internship ended where I contributed to and learned about drafts writing and report writing. We were also lucky to engage with defectors from different ages, who shared their personal experiences and stories. These encounters deepened my understanding of human rights advocacy in ways I hadn’t imagined.

One challenge I faced was balancing the internship with my studies and writing my graduation thesis especially since I wasn’t based in Seoul. However, the flexible working environment and the supportive team made it possible to juggle that. More importantly, I learned that stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth.

For anyone looking to intern with a human rights organization, here are a few tips:

Be Persistent and Passionate: Passion for the cause will always shine through, even if you don’t have direct experience.

Seize Opportunities: Don’t hesitate to reach out to organizations you admire. You never know what doors will open.

Be Ready to Learn: Every day in a human rights NGO is a learning experience, whether through research or through interactions with people affected by the issues you’re advocating for.

All in all, interning at PSCORE was an experience which strengthened my commitment to activism and advocacy.  

Here's how a day in my intern life looked like: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ZAgrtP3SW/

Leave a comment if you have any questions or inquiries!

Being an ex-apolitical individual, I never expected to grow such a keen interest in democracy, politics and human rights while living in Korea. Despite studying a major that's not directly related to international studies or political science, I found myself joining a variety of programs aimed at promoting youth leadership and active citizenship. One of my absolute favorite experiences besides joining Model United Nations and UNESCO conferences, was actually interning for an NGO. 

Civic Society in South Korea: NGO Intern

Hello! I’m Malika from Kazakhstan, and I’m currently a senior majoring in Design at Ewha Womans University. 

For the past three years, I’ve been working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) at the International Student Affairs Office, where I assist international applicants with admissions and consultations. From handling document verifications to navigating language requirements, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by international students. 

On top of that, I’m the youngest TA in the office—a rare exception, as this position is typically reserved for graduate students. So, how did I manage to secure this position?

My journey started in the spring of 2021 when I applied for the Ewha ISS-V3 Scholarship, a working scholarship designed for international students. 

The scholarship requires students to complete 60 hours of office work at the International Student Affairs Office in exchange for a financial reward of 900,000 won, paid at the end of the semester.

If you’re interested in applying for this scholarship, here’s what you need to know:

For more information, check out the <a href="http://isa.ewha.ac.kr/">International Student Affairs homepage</a>.

Back to my story: when I first started, my tasks were pretty basic—refilling printers, distributing student IDs, and answering general inquiries. I also helped with translating documents for Russian-speaking applicants. However, these routine duties soon led to greater opportunities. 

My supervisor noticed my commitment, and before long, I was offered the role of a Teaching Assistant, breaking the norm and becoming the youngest TA in an office typically staffed by graduate students.

Since becoming a TA, my responsibilities have expanded significantly. Some of my main tasks include:

These experiences have not only deepened my understanding of office operations but also allowed me to interact with a diverse group of students and staff, further enhancing my problem-solving and communication skills.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that even the smallest tasks, when approached with care and dedication, can lead to unexpected and exciting opportunities. What started as routine office duties has evolved into a role that has enriched my university experience and professional life.

For international students, part-time jobs in Korea provide more than just financial support—they offer valuable work experience and a chance to build a professional network. Even without a formal internship, I’m graduating with hands-on experience that has strengthened my resume and prepared me for future career opportunities in ways I never anticipated.

So, take that first step—you never know where it might lead!

Hello! I’m Malika from Kazakhstan, and I’m currently a senior majoring in Design at Ewha Womans University.  For the past three years, I’ve been working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) at the International Student Affairs Office, where I assist international applicants with admissions and consultations. From handling document verifications to navigating language requirements, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by international students.  

Becoming an Undergraduate TA at Ewha

Hello, Kampers! How's your job-searching journey going? 🔍

We noticed many of you were seeking a set template to start with, so we came up with our template for you to refer to! 😉

Just click the link below, download the template and use it to develop your own version! 

Don’t hesitate to leave suggestions, questions and opinions below in the comment section!🍀&nbsp;

👉<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QgKD3ZGAc2GxBO6b1JZdXQ4tW4jwxjjfeL0Ae9OKmPQ/edit">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE K-CAMPUS RESUME TEMPLATE&nbsp;(ENG)</a>

➕New: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_xrktcFJqbqQkmpv1f5z6NixJiOoLvB9eAIbAus17a4/edit?tab=t.0">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE K-CAMPUS RESUME TEMPLATE! (KOR)</a>

If you have any inquiries about writing a resume in Korean, feel free to check out this post: <a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/writing-a-resume-for-a-korean-company-1952">Writing a resume for a Korean company!</a>&nbsp;

Hello, Kampers! How's your job-searching journey going? 🔍 We noticed many of you were seeking a set template to start with, so we came up with our template for you to refer to! 😉 

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🍀K-campus Resume Template – Download it here!🍀(ENG/KOR)

Ever encountered a job post in Korean, and had trouble understanding what certain terms meant?

You can try Papago or Google Translate to look up what the word means, but it might not always ring a bell.

I remember looking at 기졸업자 and asking myself if that's different in any way to 졸업자, or graduate. 

A lot of the words have roots in hanja, or Chinese characters used in Korean, so a bit of explanation might be helpful than just a quick dictionary search. Having some background knowledge about job searching can also be helpful, so here are a few terms explained based on my experience!

기졸업자 is a term you will often see in the job post's minimum qualification section, saying something along the lines of 기졸업자 being able to apply.

You might understand the word in the middle — 졸업, which refers to graduation. Since 자 refers to person, 졸업자 means someone who graduated.

But what does 기졸업자 — with an additional 기 infront — mean? 

Although the addition of an extra letter may make it seem like an entirely different word, it means the same — someone who graduated.

The 기 is added in front to mean 'already', so if we do want to be exact with the translation, it means someone who "already" graduated. 

This is also another term you will see listed as a minimum qualification. Simply put, the word refers to someone who is expected to graduate.

Expected to graduate might be a bit vague, and specifically, it refers to someone in their last semester or those who have deferred graduation.

You will often see companies saying people who graduated and 졸업예정자 are qualified to apply for their annual/bi-annual hirings. 

Recruitment processes for those hirings can take up to two to three months, with students in their last semester, or 졸업예정자, already having graduated or very close to graduation once the processes all finish. 

Even if it's not the annual/bi-annual hirings, openings that are posted around a month before the graduation period also tend to mention 졸업예정자 as one of the minimum qualifications.

3) 전환형 인턴/채용형 인턴

The words 전환형 인턴 and 채용형 인턴 is something you will see in the job post's title, referring to a specific type of internship.

전환 means switch or change in Korean, and 인턴 is intern. It refers to an internship with the possibility of switching to a regular employee, or basically a full-time job offer.

채용형 인턴 also means the same thing, with 채용 referring to the Korean word for employment. 채용전제형 인턴 is also another way of saying it.

Although these are technically called internships, companies almost see it in the same level as new employee recruitments.

As there is a possibility for a regular employee offer, applicants will be required to have graduated or be expected to graduate to apply.

Candidates are typically required to complete an internship lasting anywhere from one to six months. After the internship, they undergo a performance evaluation or final interview to determine if they will receive a job offer.

This word is used to refer to another type of internship. 체험 means experience, and 체험형 인턴 means an internship you do to get experience.

Most importantly, it refers to an internship without a full-time return opportunity.

Students in their sophomore year through the first semester of their senior year often pursue these internships because they need to return to school to complete their remaining semesters and graduate.

I've seen a lot of international students consider this as a bad choice because they assume by the name that it's non-paid (because many job posts in Korea don't mention salary) and also has no possibility of a full-time job afterward. However, I would like to add that there is very high chance that such internships are also paid.

In Korea, internship opportunities that don't state salary almost always means that it's minimum wage, and it's just not mentioned because it's an underlying fact. 

There are some organizations that do non-paid internships, although they will specifically state it's a non-paid internship on the job post in that case. Embassies or international organizations are a common example.

For-credit internships organized through universities tend to pay, although a bit lower than minimum wage as the participant gets course credits.

This is also another word that is often listed as one of the minimum or preferred qualifications. For instance, job posts would often say the company is looking for an applicant in 이공계열.

Breaking the word down, 이공 is a portmanteau of 이학 (natural science) and 공학 (engineering). You may have learned that 과학 is the Korean word for science, and although that is right, 이학 is a bit more older term that can also be used. 계열 refers to an academic discipline or category. 

So putting that all together, it means someone who majored in science or engineering.

If a job post specifies that 이공계열 majors can apply, both students whose first major is in science and engineering and those who did a double major in the fields are eligible.

But sadly, those who only did a minor in such fields aren't considered eligible unless the job post specifically says minors in science and engineering will also be accepted.

We just touched upon 이공계열, so here's a similar word that may apply to other students!

상경 essentially means business-related fields. The first letter, 상, refers to commerce (상경) and the second letter, 경, refers to economics, or 경제. 

By definition, it seems like it encompasses all business-related fields. 

However, Korean companies specifically refer to either business (경영학과) or economics (경제학과) majors when using the term.

For non-STEM positions, there are quite a few Korean companies that put 상경계열 majors as either a minimum or preferred qualification. 

Again, doing a double major in business or economics will also make you qualified, and many students tend to do a double major in those fields. This is why business and economics are one of the most difficult majors to do course registration for. 

Korean companies very rarely disclose annual salary on their job posts. But when they do, you might have seen the word 세전.

The job post will probably say something like: 세전 _____ KRW

세전 is another portmanteau, combining the words 세금 (tax) and 전 (before). So basically, it means before taxes.

Income tax and fees for the four major insurances are deducted from the mentioned salary. Annual salaries are always mentioned before taxes, and what you actually get each month may be a bit less than dividing the mentioned salary into 12.  

Then what is after taxes? 세후, combining 세금 (tax) and 후 (after) is one way of saying it.

But 실수령액 is another way you can say it. 실 referring real or actual, and 수령액 meaning how much money you get. 

If there's any other words you had trouble understanding, let me know and I'll see if I can help deciphering those!

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Deciphering confusing Korean terms in job posts

Yes, winter vacation is all about resting and staying tucked indoors away from the cold. But you can always find a few days for growth in a personal and professional sense, and learning what Korean students do during this time couldn't hurt.&nbsp;

From volunteering to earning certificates in Korea, here are some activities you can check out in Korea to boost your resume!

Long before entering university, Koreans must fill up certain hours volunteering in and out of school to put on their papers. Even at universities, Koreans should complete their assigned hours of volunteering to qualify for graduation. The designated hours differ by school and the students' majors but usually fall between 20 and 60 hours. 

These records are used not just for graduation but can be added to their resumes or their personal statements if the activity proved to be interesting for the student.  

All the perks to richening the resume aside, trying volunteering activities in Korea is a fine experience, showing a nice act of service for people who need help as well as mingling with the volunteering community for the day. 

Here are the major platforms for you to check out if you want to check volunteer recruitment.

a. Volunteer Management System (VMS)

VMS (<a href="http://www.vms.or.kr">www.vms.or.kr</a>) is a platform run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where you can find volunteering positions categorized by region and apply right away. It's the major service used by all volunteers, including students and volunteers who track their records via the website&nbsp;— as of Jan. 2, 2025, a total of 9.45 million users are registered on this service.

First, you have to sign up as a member of the system. You will need a valid phone number and your residence card number (ARC) to do so.

Once you sign up, you are now able to find volunteering positions sorted by the city's districts and apply to the ones you are interested in, as well as accumulate and track the hours of work you have done.

The positions vary from helping out at community service centers to teaching at local libraries, so check it out from time to time to find one that suits your interest!

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety runs the 1365 Volunteer Center service <a href="http://www.1365.go.kr">(www.1365.go.kr)</a>, which handles volunteering recruitments in local communities. It appears pretty similar to VMS and the two services share the values of catering volunteering programs for citizens. To pinpoint the difference, VMS focuses on the ‘social welfare’ factor and provides in-depth support from simple volunteer work to professional activities, while 1365 focuses on ‘volunteering’ and supports a wider range of activities, including volunteer work at public institutions. These two websites are linked and your volunteering activities can be linked or synchronized by signing up to both platforms.

Just like VMS, you can register with your personal information including your address, your phone number and your ARC number, and check out the local volunteering positions that are seeking volunteers.

There are also fun programs like becoming the voice of an expat in Seoul, like the 'Seoul Quality of Life Monitors (외국인주민 서울생활 살피미)' program rolled by the Seoul Global Center. Every February, Seoul Global Center recruits dozens of foreign resident volunteers to voice their opinions about life in Korea. If you would like to represent your community and give some opinions as well as do some volunteer work, check out their website for any upcoming announcement this February.

<a href="https://global.seoul.go.kr/web/news/senw/bordContDetail.do?mode=W&amp;brd_no=5&amp;post_no=1209541C50F50042E063C0A8A02399D6&amp;lang=en">Call for 2024 Seoul Life Monitoring program volunteers (last year's announcement) link</a>

Each school also has its own operating volunteering programs by season. For example, I once volunteered as a serving staff at school on Jan. 1 to provide tteokguk, or rice cake soup for local community service workers, a one-day volunteering event organized by the university. Like so, the school notice boards come up with some interesting in-house volunteering activities for you to sign up easily, without the need for authentication procedures as you are already an enrolled student of the school.

If you are interested in volunteering in Korea and seek more information, check these reviews by Kampers who have tried volunteer work!&nbsp;

🔗&nbsp;<a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/3-Things-to-do-for-college-students-during-winter-vacation-2781">3 Things to do for college students during winter vacation☃</a>

<a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/Heartwarming-extracurricular-activity--Volunteering-at-an-Animal-Shelter-3626">🔗Heartwarming extracurricular activity: Volunteering at an Animal Shelter </a>

🔗<a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/More-Than-a-Game--My-Volunteer-Experience-at-the-Homeless-World-Cup-4846">More Than a Game: My Volunteer Experience at the Homeless World Cup </a>

🔗<a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/Have-you-tried-volunteering-during-semester-breaks-5562">Have you tried volunteering during semester breaks? </a>

🔗<a href="https://kcampus.kr/ko/real-life-reviews/Volunteering-at-the-2024-European-Christmas-Market-5437">Volunteering at the 2024 European Christmas Market 🎄🎅🏻 </a>

Acquiring certificates through tests (자격증) is a typical career-related activity Korean students pursue between semesters, most common ones being TOEIC and Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet and Database (컴퓨터활용능력). For Kampers, however, the big one would be TOPIK, the ultimate Korean test. 

Test Of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is an English test to assess language proficiency for non-native speakers. Most Korean companies take the applicants' TOEIC test results into account to judge their English skills, meaning that a TOEIC point is a must for Korean job-seekers.

 The total score is 990 points, consisting of TOEIC listening and reading tests, 495 points each. Ideally, if you are fluent in English already, there should be no problem scoring high. However, as the test costs 52,500 won ($36) per take, it's better to be prepared with sample tests before applying. 

If you are a student currently enrolled in a Korean university, don't forget to get a discount through your school portal&nbsp;- look up 'Toeic' on your school website's search results and you will be able to locate a post where a discount of up to 20 percent on the test application is granted.

On top of TOEIC, there tend to be speaking test results required from companies, especially if the recruiting position involves English-speaking roles. The two major English-speaking tests are TOEIC Speaking and OPIc (<a href="https://www.opic.or.kr/opics/jsp/view/index.jsp">https://www.opic.or.kr/opics/jsp/view/index.jsp</a>). A slight difference between the two would be that TOEIC Speaking has a more set template for the answers, while OPIc relies more on free speaking skills of the test-taker.

Yes, winter vacation is all about resting and staying tucked indoors away from the cold. But you can always find a few days for growth in a personal and professional sense, and learning what Korean students do during this time couldn't hurt.  

Career advice