Complete Guide to Your First Month in Korea
Your First Week in Korea Determines Your Entire Year!
Your first month in a new country is like a tutorial in a video game. How you spend this period can make your Korean experience either heaven or hell.
Many international students regret saying “If only I had managed my first month better…” Students who come unprepared face new problems daily and experience stress, while those who come with proper information adapt much more smoothly.
Now, let’s reveal the perfect roadmap for successfully spending your first month in Korea!
Things to Do Immediately Upon Arrival: From Airport to Accommodation
1. What to Do Within 30 Minutes of Arriving at Incheon Airport
Purchase SIM Card (Top Priority!)
– SK Telecom, KT, LG U+ stores operate on 1st floor arrival hall
– Recommend prepaid SIM cards for short-term stays (30,000-50,000 KRW for 30 days)
– Pro tip: Pre-order online for 10-20% discount!
Get Transportation Card
– Essential before boarding Airport Railroad A’REX
– Recommend T-money card or WOWPASS card
– Initial charge of 10,000 KRW or more recommended
2. First 24-Hour Checklist After Arriving at Accommodation
✅ Check accommodation facilities (AC, heating, WiFi, hot water, etc.)
✅ Locate nearby convenience stores and supermarkets
✅ Find walking route to public transportation stops
✅ Check neighborhood safety (street lighting, foot traffic at night)
💡 StayKorea Customer Exclusive Benefits: All our accommodations are pre-inspected, with Korean/English customer support available!
Essential Administrative Procedures: From Alien Registration Card to Telecom Services
1. Alien Registration Card Application (Required within 90 days of arrival)
Required Documents
– Passport original and copy
– Certificate of admission or enrollment certificate
– Residence confirmation documents (lease agreement, etc.)
– 1 passport-sized photo
– Fee: 30,000 KRW
tip: Using the online pre-reservation system can significantly reduce waiting time!
>> Related Post: Check [How to Obtain a Foreign Registration Card in Korea] for more detailed information!
2. Korean Mobile Phone Service
Recommended Carriers and Plans
– SK Telecom: Foreigner-exclusive plans 30,000
-50,000 KRW/month
– KT: Student discount plans 20,000-40,000 KRW/month
– LG U+: Prepaid plans around 30,000 KRW/month
Required Documents: Passport, Alien Registration Card (or temporary), bank account
>> Related Post: Check [Guide to Mobile Plans for Foreigners in Korea] for more detailed information!
3. Bank Account Opening
Recommended Banks
– KB Kookmin Bank: Excellent foreigner services, English support
– Shinhan Bank: Many university partnership benefits
– Hana Bank: Convenient mobile banking
Required Documents: Passport, Alien Registration Card, enrollment certificate
Essential Apps & Services: Tools to Make Korean Life Easier
1. Transportation Apps (Essential!)
Subway Korea
– Real-time subway information + tells you exactly when trains arrive
– Perfect English support (menus, station names all in English)
– Shortest route guidance + detailed travel time and transfer information
– Offline subway map storage available
– tip: Shows last train times – essential for late nights!
KakaoMap
– Korea’s best map service (more accurate than Google Maps)
– Real-time bus information (arrival time, stops remaining)
– 98% route accuracy + recommends routes with fewer stairs
– Check nearby restaurants and cafe reviews
– tip: Voice guidance supports English – use with headphones when walking!
2. Food Delivery Apps
Baedal Minjok (Baemin)
– Korea’s largest delivery app (60% market share)
– English support (menus in Korean but translation function available)
– First-order discounts + weekly discount coupons
– Perfect review system (lots of photo reviews to see food before ordering)
– tip: Set “single serving available” filter – useful when living alone!
Yogiyo
– Various discount coupons (sometimes more discounts than Baemin)
– Foreigner-friendly interface
– Lower minimum order amounts
– tip: Many discount events after 10 PM!
Coupang Eats
– Delivery app by Coupang
– Frequent free delivery events
– Many premium restaurants
3. Daily Life Convenience Apps
Coupang
– Korea’s Amazon (might be even faster)
– Rocket delivery (same-day/next-day delivery) – order before midnight, arrives next morning!
– From daily necessities to electronics + cheaper than offline stores
– Rocket WOW membership 2,990 KRW/month → free shipping + discount benefits
– tip: Dawn delivery available – really useful for urgent needs!
>> Related Post: Check [Bridging the Gap: Coupang’s Convenience for New Arrivals] for more detailed information!
Kakao Taxi
– Safe taxi calling (high reliability)
– Pre-set destination (OK even if you don’t speak Korean)
– Convenient card payment + no cash needed
– Check estimated fare in advance
– tip: Check late-night surcharges before calling!
4. Translation & Communication Apps
Papago
– Translation app by Naver
– Higher Korean translation accuracy than Google Translate
– Photo translation available (menus, signs, etc.)
– Voice translation support (real-time conversation possible)
KakaoTalk
– Korea’s national messenger (can’t contact people without KakaoTalk)
– Essential for communicating with Korean friends
– Convenient group chat and file sharing
– Money transfer possible with KakaoPay
5. Finance & Payment Apps
Toss
– Korea’s best financial app
– Easy account transfer and balance checking
– Available for foreigners (some bank integration)
– Household budget function for allowance management
KakaoPay
– Simple payment service
– QR code payment (OK without cash)
– Convenient for splitting bills with friends
6. Lifestyle Information Apps
Carrot Market (Danggeun Market)
– Second-hand trading app (Korea’s Craigslist)
– Buy and sell items with neighbors
– Price negotiation possible + safe direct transactions
– tip: Many cheap appliances available at semester start/end!
Yanolja
– Accommodation booking app
– Book motels and hotels for travel
– Real-time discount information
Korean Life Etiquette: Understanding Cultural Differences
1. Public Transportation Etiquette
On Subway/Bus
– Priority seats only for those who really need them
– Don’t talk loudly on phone
– Don’t eat smelly food
– Let people get off first, then board
2. Restaurant Etiquette
When Ordering
– Call staff with “Yeogiyo!” or raise your hand
– Water and side dishes are mostly free refills
– Usually pay at counter, not at table
3. Accommodation Life Etiquette
Goshiwon/Share House
– Keep quiet after 10 PM
– Clean up after using common areas
– Label your food in shared refrigerator
– Coordinate laundry times with others
Safe Settlement with StayKorea: Your Reliable Partner
Why Choose StayKorea?
1. Only Verified Accommodations
– All accommodations personally visited and inspected
– 100% guarantee of safety and cleanliness
– No hidden additional costs
2. Quick Korean/English Support
– Fast communication via WhatsApp (usually 12-24 hour response)
– Quick response in emergencies
– Free consultation for life settlement
3. International Student Specialized Service
– Korean life settlement support
4. Various Accommodation Options
– Goshiwon: From 260,000 KRW/month
– Share House: From 550,000 KRW/month
– Studio/One-room: From 330,000 KRW/month
Conclusion: The Start of Successful Korean Life
Your first month in Korea definitely won’t be easy. But following this guide will help you settle much faster and safer than other international students.
Remember
– Planned preparation is the key to success
– Respecting local culture is the beginning of good relationships
– Safe accommodation selection is the foundation of everything
StayKorea will do our best to help your Korean life start successfully.
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