Sungkyunkwan University (Seoul Humanities & Social Sciences campus) South Korea
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Accommodation

Accommodation:

1. Dormitory:

SKKU Seoul has numerous dormitories, some in the area around the campus and others located a few subway stops away. Dormitories are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis and in random order. SKKU dormitories have a curfew from 1-5am. Only residents are allowed access. Security guards are on duty around the clock.

The dormitories are:

  • E-House (mixed dorm, both local and exchange students, near Dongdaemun station. Double rooms. )
  • G-House (mainly for local students, nearest subway is Hyehwa station. At the other end of Hyehwa leading to Dongdaemun, near Hongik University Art Centre Grand Theatre. Double rooms.)
  • K-House (beside the campus, near the slope behind the library that leads to the neighbourhood shops)
  • C-House (two subway stops away at Sungshin Women’s University station)
  • I-House (all-female dorm, for exchange students only. Beside the school. Double rooms.)
  • M-House (exchange students only. Shared suite apartments with common areas and 2-per-room or 4-per-room. Males and females in separate blocks. Walking distance from campus.)

You can find out more information on the dormitories here.


Natural Monument No. 59 in the old dormitory area

2. Goshiwon (고시원):

Goshiwons (a.k.a Goshi-tels, one-room-tels and living-tels) are residential facilities with small rooms that are usually furnished with a bed, desk, and mini-fridge, as well as a common restroom, showers and laundry room on each floor. Most Goshiwons have separate floors for different genders.

Originally occupied by students preparing for various national exams, Goshiwons today are also home to many young working individuals. Rents vary by its location, facilities, room size and type (e.g. private restroom).

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Goshiwons are perfect for students who are on a budget and just want a comfortable no-frills accommodation to reside in.

Goshipages is a website that allows you to find Goshiwons and other housing options near your host university!

 

3. Hasukjib (하숙집):

Hasukjibs are similar to Goshiwons in that it provides rooms that usually furnished with a bed, desk, and mini-fridge, as well as a common restroom, showers and laundry room on each floor. It also usually has separate floors for different genders and rents vary by its location facilities, room size and type (e.g. private restroom).

Key differences are that meals are often included in the monthly rents and service levels a notch higher based on general consensus.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Hasukjibs are suited for students who do not want to over-spend on accommodation, yet values a comfortable stay and having meals provided. Should you plan to eat out often, you may want to negotiate with the owners to see if you can opt out for the meals option.

 

4. Guesthouse

Guesthouse can be viewed as a category that is in-between that of Hasukjib and hotels. While it is slightly pricier than Hasukjib, guesthouses usually provide room services like that of hotels. Room rates may vary by season and length of stay. The longer the stay, the cheaper the room rates are.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Guesthouses are popular among backpackers and students seeking short-term stays (up to 1 month). If you are one who values room service (i.e. lazy to clean your own room) and would not mind paying slightly more for it, guesthouses may be your desired choice.

 

5. Apartment / room rental

For students who are considering to rent an apartment or a room, do note that it is common in Korea for heavy deposits, which can amount to several months’ rental, to be paid in advance.

By Rui Xuan Wong
2016-11-30 13:16:09
Dormitory: I stayed at I-House (International House), an all-female only dormitory for exchange students. With all dormitories, there is a curfew from 1-5am, access in and out of the dorm is not allowed. There is security on duty 24/7. I-House is right beside SKKU and is visible from the hill as you walk downhill. You can reach I-House in a few minutes after exiting from the iron side gate. I-House had clean and modern facilities. It had a shared kitchen downstairs (fully equipped with pots and pans, utensils and cups so you will not need to buy them. Each room is assigned a shared level in one of the common fridges to place your food), a TV area and laundry rooms with washing machines and dryers available (1000 won per use I think). There is one vacuum cleaner per floor, in the common corridor, and two fridges on each level in addition to the fridges in the kitchen downstairs. Two sets of bedsheets and a blanket are provided. The shower and toilet are separated and there is a small balcony with a laundry rack in the room. Roommates are randomly assigned although I think they may try to match nationalities. Residents are not allowed to bring visitors in.
By Rui Xuan Wong
2016-11-30 13:11:09
Mobile services: I used a SIM card from Evergreen Mobile (EG) which uses the KT network. You can order it online before departure and collect it from a collection point of your choice when you land at Incheon. The EG SIM card is a prepaid card with 3 data plan options: 100MB/30 Days/5,500won/No free KT Wi-Fi 500MB/30 Days/11,000won/Free KT Wi-Fi 1GB/30 Days/16,500won/Free KT Wi-Fi I found the 1GB plan to be more than sufficient as KT’s network coverage was massive enough for me to be able to connect to their Wi-Fi networks while I was out and about most of the time. Recharging your account can be done through the EG SIM app and website. A customer service hotline is available for any enquiries and issues. This was a relatively easy and simple option for temporary mobile services in Korea, although other options are available. The main telcos like KT and Olleh have English-speaking branches to cater to foreigners.
By Rui Xuan Wong
2016-11-30 13:08:25
Sending items home: I sent a 20+ kg package back to Singapore before the semester ended, which cost around 90,000 – 100,000 won. Postal rates are relatively affordable and the EMS service may even deliver your parcel to your doorstep back home within a few days.
By Rui Xuan Wong
2016-11-30 13:05:20
Socialising: Drinking is the most common way to bond so if you do join a school club, you may be offered alcohol all the time. It’s okay to say no if you are uncomfortable but if you are alright with social drinking, I recommend giving it a try! Most students will not pressure you into it so no worries. Joining student clubs is one of the best ways to make local friends. So don’t be shy and give it a shot! I joined the taekwondo club because I wanted to continue practicing while away from home and it was the best decision I made on exchange. I made many friends whom I now regard as family, got to experience typical things a university student in Korea would that exchange students normally don’t get to do, and got more out of my time at SKKU thanks to my taekwondo club.
By Rui Xuan Wong
2016-11-30 13:04:27
Academics: Lessons at the Humanities and Social Sciences campus are conducted mainly in classrooms or seminar rooms, with the professors delivering the lectures via PowerPoint. I would say Korean university life is rather different from the Singapore system. For example the way assessment is conducted is mostly a 50% mid-term and a 50% final for most courses, both of which will take place during class time in the classroom for that lesson. There will not be examination venues scattered around the campus like NTU and the final examination period at the end of the semester lasts for only one week, plus or minus a few days. This is unlike NTU where examinations can be spread out across a month. As my major there was English Language and Literature, I did not encounter the problem of professors choosing to deliver the classes in Korean for modules under my major. Most of my other electives were under some globalisation category so I did not have much problem with those as well. I did however choose to drop one non-essential module as the professor had to conduct the class in Korean for the sake of the local students, and I felt that it was better for me to drop the class rather than have her cater to my needs alone. Friends who were studying mechanical engineering modules at the Suwon campus however encountered a professor who insisted on delivering lectures in Korean.