When I started out the K Campus University Ambassador journey, one of my goals was to be a sort of helpful sunbae to other (aspiring) international students in Korea. I hope some of my articles were of good use so far, but I think this will be the one that feels most like ~adult advice~.

I want you to keep in mind that I am very introverted. Very. I get absolutely drained when socializing, and even a simple phone call ruins my day (although I have improved lots, thankfully. I even enjoy occasional outings now!). So, these tips might be more useful to someone who has a character similar to mine.

1. Dos

• STUDY KOREAN!!!

First things first: if you are planning to get a job here, unless you are an absolute genius in your field that cannot be replaced, having good command of Korean is necessary. These days, it is not very uncommon to find foreigners that speak almost like natives, so I also encourage you to get rid of the thought that having TOPIK level 3 or 4 will surely be enough. Companies will tend to write in their job postings "Those with TOPIK level 4 or above," but there is almost always someone with similar qualifications + level 6, so strive for that if possible.

Also, having TOPIK 6 does not equal conversational Korean proficiency. Work on expressing your thoughts in Korean on the fly. I'll give you a tip: This might sound insane, but I can't be the only one who does this. What I do to practice my spoken Korean is I'll pretend I'm having conversations on relatively complex topics, and just yap yap yap on my own (at home of course). It helps, trust me.

• Be careful with the Immigration Office

That title kind of sounds scary. But the Immigration Office is indeed a scary place for many foreigners. What I mean is, be meticulous with everything regarding your visa. For example, I forgot to report that I had changed my passport, and when I went to renew my student visa, I got a hefty fine for that. Always check all requirements, and don't hesitate to call the relevant institution if you have any questions.

Also, if you are going to change/renew your visa in the near future, make a reservation as soon as possible. Spots get full quickly!

• Sign up for volunteering service

Volunteering service works as a sort of work experience, especially if you are an international student (ehem GKS scholars) who has lots of restrictions with getting a part time job. It shows initiative and dedication. Plus, it's always good to give back to society and get out of one's own bubble. Use the 1365 Volunteer website to find some programs!

• Find a university club that sort of interests you

I struggled most with this one. I'll be honest here. Most clubs so far have felt to me like an excuse to meet people to go drinking afterwards. I said it.

As someone who doesn't drink, of course the pressure of being expected to engage in such settings to advance the friendship weighed on me. What I did was just say "No, I'm not going to the 뒤풀이 (afterparty)." Most tend to meet at bars (술집), and that's just not my thing, which is fine. I did make some friends from university clubs, but overall, I tried to view participation in clubs as just something else to add to my curriculum rather than the place where I'll find my university bestie.

However, if you are comfortable with drinking, by all means, go ahead!