Live like an influencer in Korea! DO be active on social media.
The moment you set foot in Korea is the moment to start using social media more actively and strategically. Coming from someone who never planned to have a public Instagram account, let alone a YouTube channel—yet ended up doing both—I can vouch for this.
Don’t assume I’m a renowned influencer living her dream life in Korea. In reality, I have under 350 Instagram followers (https://www.instagram.com/jey_inkorea/) and a tiny YouTube channel with fewer than 130 subscribers (https://www.youtube.com/@jey_inkorea). But even with these small numbers, I’ve had opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise, such as a free 2D1N trip to Namhae (one of the most beautiful towns in Korea), free tickets to the COEX Aquarium, and priority invitations to a KBS open concert at the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) without waiting in line!
How did this happen? All thanks to the K-Influencer Academy Program by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea.net. The program encourages participants to promote Korean culture through video content. Although it includes online activities for participants outside Korea, it’s especially beneficial for those residing in Korea, as it offers free events and trips.
In return, participants create video content—Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, or long-form videos—based on the events. The program lasts a year, and recruitment for the 2024 cohort ran from March 25 to April 7. Once selected, participants receive monthly missions that introduce content ideas, providing structure for those new to video creation.
Thanks to this program, I’ve started creating regular content, practiced basic video editing, and discovered my passion for content creation—a passion that was always there, waiting to be unleashed.
Do not let FOMO take hold of you.
Do not think that you have to experience EVERYTHING all at once during your study abroad years in Korea. In an ideal world, of course, having the privilege to enjoy all sorts of worthy experiences—from traveling to authentic Korean towns like Jeju, Busan, and Jeonju, to finding true friends among local Koreans—sounds wonderful. However, personal circumstances, the area and university you study in, and your financial background can all affect your study abroad experience.
Before coming to Korea, I used to dream of a perfect, absolutely flawless student experience for two years. Along with the beautiful memories I’ve made here, there are still things I haven’t achieved, like forming long-lasting friendships with Koreans. So, while it’s important to experience as much as you can during your study abroad years, it’s essential to remember that moving abroad for your studies doesn’t automatically turn you into a completely different person without fears or insecurities, nor does it guarantee the most life-changing experiences.
