Part time courses are great for the basics like saying hello and asking how much. It's also important that you do your homework for them, because you don't get that much class time. But they will only take you so far.
Full time courses are intended to get you to a high level of proficiency in regards to academic work like writing and doing presentations in a university environment. Often they are based around the TOPIK test. These courses are much more intensive and will teach a lot of vocabulary and grammar as well as conversational basics.
You can get a 6month or year student visa very easily for the full time courses
Costs
Full time course costs vary depending on where you apply. The most expensive I found was Yonsei University (in Seoul) which was W 1,600,000 for 10 weeks. The cheapest(obviously not in Seoul) I found was 1,000,000 for 10 weeks.
Part time course costs depend on how many hours a day, and how many days a week. But expect a minimum of 100 000 a month.
Rent really varies, but I would say it can costs upwards of 200,000 a month for a crappy studio apartment in a cheap city, to probably a minimum of 350 000 a month in Seoul. Remember there's also a deposit, normally minimum of 1,000,000. And bills are negligible (max. 50,000 a month)
Korean life (for full time students)
Living In Korea as a foreigner is very easy, and Koreans are very welcoming. The university I attended provided excellent customer service and care, so if it's your first time in Korea, don't worry. The university should help you find accommodation and even organise travel arrangements.
Korea is a modern, first world country with all the luxuries and of home, like phones, fast food, clubs etc. It also has a fantasitc train and bus system which is affordable and efficient, putting the rest of the developed world to shame.
Part time work as an English teacher, is easy to find and you can actually earn a higher hourly rate than full time! At the moment the law says a student can work legally 20 hours a week. You will need all the necessary paperwork (criminal check, degree certificate) to work legally, just take them to the immigration centre and start working immediately
In terms of homework expect a lot. And I recommend you do it too. Learn vocabulary every day, and factor this as an extra hour after class.
Which university?
I attended an awful university and really wasted my time and money for the better part of a year. I would recommend doing 6 months and then seeing how much you're learning. By that stage, provided you're a motivated student, you can just learn Korean outside class!
To Seoul or not to Seoul?
If you want to live in a more globalised, modern, happening city with a lot of things going on all the time, then you should study in Seoul.
If you want a more "authentic" Korean experience and don't want to meet so many foreigners and perhaps don't mind a quieter old fashioned way of life, then I don't recommend Seoul.
I didn't live in Seoul and loved it, but some people really didn't and I can see why.
After your studies: working In Korea
To put it simply, if you're a foreigner there are three kinds of jobs available to you in Korea: English teacher, US soldier, South East Asian factory worker. Outside Seoul there are no other job opportunities. In Seoul there are a tiny amount, but they are extremely hard to find. You probably don't believe me, but after a year you'll see what I mean. Oh sorry I forgot, you could be a russian prostitute
No comments:
Post a Comment