Moving to a new country, especially one as Korea, can feel like an overwhelming challenge. From navigating cultural differences to  language barriers, it’s easy to feel isolated—especially if you're the only foreigner in your class or department. But don't worry,I got your back. I study at Solbridge International School of Business in Daejeon, where 80% of students are foreigners from all over the world. However, I still needed to get out of my comfort zone and explore. 

In this article, I want to share my personal journey of finding community in Korea, as well as some practical advices for follow foreign friends. It wasn’t easy at first, but these experiences helped me settle in, feel connected, and ultimately thrive.

1. Discovering Local Foreign Resident Support Centers: A Place to Start

One of the first communities for me in Korea was the Daejeon Foreign Resident Integrated Support  Center(대전외국인주민통합센터). If you live in Daejeon or another city with a similar center, I can’t recommend these organizations enough. When I first arrived, I was hesitant to join into university events partly because I was shy and partly because I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in. But this center became my safe place.

They offer free Korean classes, and a variety of workshops from cooking to cultural exchanges. These weren’t just events—they were gateways to friendships. Through their volunteer programs, I met people from all over the world. They even provided practical support like driving lessons and help finding part-time jobs or internships. The range of activities helped me develop new skills and feel more grounded in my new home.

So, if you’re feeling lost, start with a foreign organization center in your city (your city + 외국인주민통합지원센터) —they’ll likely have something for you, whether you’re looking for friends or resources to navigate life in Korea.

2. Reconnecting with Home Through National Student Associations

As much as I embraced the idea of blending into Korean culture, I also missed the comfort of my own. That’s when I found the Kazakh Students Association in Korea (KSAK). Not only Kazakh students, but entire Central Asian and students from Russia joined us. KSAK started with just a few students at KAIST University, but it has grown into a large community that now spans several universities. For me, it’s not just about the events or gatherings—it’s about having a family away from home.

Through KSAK, I’ve celebrated Kazakh holidays, attended parties, and connected with fellow students who share my cultural background. There’s a shared understanding in these moments that transcends the usual conversations you have as an international student. We support each other academically, emotionally, and even with the little things, like where to find familiar food or advice on navigating university life in Korea. Therefore try to find a community of students from your country. Mostly, they can be found on Instagram or within your university. 

3. Embracing My Passion for Content Creation

Korea is an absolute heaven for content creators, and that’s something I discovered when  I started becoming an “influencer”. If you’re into content creation, whether it’s travel, lifestyle, or beauty, there are endless opportunities here. Organizations like "Interesting Korea", "Adventure Korea", and "Oh My Gyeonggi" are constantly looking for international people to promote the country’s hidden gems, so I would advise them to follow on Instagram.

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Tongyeong, a city I'd never heard of before. As part of a two-day tour, I not only discovered a hidden gem in Korea but also made lifelong friends. My passion for traveling and content creation even led to the entire trip being fully funded, making it an unforgettable experience.