Coming to university in Korea is a big challenge, and adapting to life here can feel even harder. There’s so much you won’t know unless you have a sunbae (senior) to guide you. Even in my last year, I’m still discovering things that could’ve made my journey easier. So, here are some tips I’ve learned that might help you along the way.
1. Dealing with Classes in Korean
Most university classes in Korea are taught in Korean, which can be tough to follow, especially if the topic is complex. Many students record their lectures with their phones or apps like GoodNotes, but here’s a better solution:
Clova Note: This app by NAVER transcribes your recordings into Korean or English. Just press record, save the file, and get a full transcription. You can even export it as a PDF for studying later.
2. Get Familiar with Everytime
The Everytime app is a lifesaver for university students. It offers class schedules, reviews, event updates, club information, and even a marketplace for buying and selling books.
Tip for Searching:
Koreans often shorten course names into syllables. For example:
- 소프트웨어 공학 → 소공
- 소프트웨어 기술창업 → 소기창
They also abbreviate professors’ names using initials. For example:
- 소공 ㅇㅎㅇ 교수님 means professor 이한양 for the 소공 class.
3. Learn Important Vocabulary
Here are some key terms to help you navigate university life:
