College Study Abroad Blog

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Image of a traffic light taken at a Seoul intersection on a Seoul bus tour

Seoul Searching: Navigating Seoul Public Transportation

By Lauren E.

When I first arrived in Seoul, I found public transportation to be intimidating. There are so many people, so many buses, and so many subway trains, yet because there is... keep reading

BTS concert stage with ARMY lightstick in front of it

Brand [NEW] Ticketing Experience: How to Ticket with NOL World

By Lauren E.

No matter if you’re new to ticketing or you’ve done ticketing before, ticketing is stressful, and ticketing in another country can be scary. As a K-pop fan, I was excited... keep reading

Collage of moments in Korea!

Studying Abroad For The First Time ദ്ദി◝ ⩊ ◜.ᐟ

By Olivia N.

Moving abroad is intimidating—especially when you’re heading somewhere completely unfamiliar and don’t know a single person. Still, taking that leap turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions... keep reading

Tried Hotteok for the first time with a new friend in Korea

Living in Korea as a Person of Color & College Student

By Judith A.

A firsthand guide for POC and plus-size college students living in Korea. It covers the reality of being visibly different in a largely homogeneous society, how to find community and familiar food in Seoul, what hair and skin products to pack (and why Coupang is your best friend), the truth about clothing sizes and the 10–14 gap nobody warns you about, and why getting a Korean number is a must. The tone is candid and personal — written by someone actively living the experience, not just summarizing it from the outside.

First trip to Hanok Village with CIEE Culture and Cuisine Class

New City, New Goals: My Journey in Seoul Begins

By Judith A.

Second-time CIEE study abroad student, now living in Seoul at Hanyang University while simultaneously interning at a marketing company in Gangnam. She reflects on the fast-paced adjustment of settling into a new city, finding Hanyang's workload manageable but self-directed, and navigating Korean professional culture at her internship. The post closes with a promise to document the full, unfiltered experience, not just the highlights, and an encouraging note to anyone considering a similar leap.

On the first day at the Family Center

❤️ Volunteering in Seoul 🤗💌

By Oyu S.

Whilst studying abroad in Seoul, traveling around and experiencing new places are all exciting and fun for sure! Immersing yourself in Korean culture can also include hands-on experiences, such as... keep reading

Strawberry Bingsu

Sinchon Eats ──★ ˙🍓 ̟ !!

By Olivia N.

You’re in Sinchon and you’re not sure where to eat? Well I got you! Welcome to Olive’s food blog! (๑>؂•̀๑) Imagine, you’ve just finished your classes from Yonsei University, it’s... keep reading

photo of a Korean pharmacy

Sick in Seoul: Prioritizing Your Health While Studying Abroad

By Sogna L.

Tips for seeking out healthcare in a foreign country.

Saruga

🛒 Grocery Shopping in Seoul! 🤩🛍️

By Oyu S.

Not being able to find budget-friendly, small-portion white rice and bedsheets or linens was such a cultural shock for me. When I first came to Seoul, it was quite challenging... keep reading

Ramen Noodles at Menchuru restaurant

Traveling Solo in Korea!

By Emily C.

Traveling to a new country without being familiar with the language or culture can be nerve-racking, and traveling alone can add another layer of fear. In this blog, I will... keep reading

ciee study abroad asia pacific
From CIEE

Top 6 Places to Study Abroad in the Asia-Pacific Region

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

@cieestudyabroad Top places to study abroad in the Asia-Pacific region! #cieestudyabroad #ciee #studyabroad #asia #australia #china #taiwan #singapore #southkorea #japan #kyoto #tokyo #seoul #taipei #beijing #shanghai #sydneyaustralia #sydney Dance You... keep reading

Photo of a street in Sinchon-dong lined with cherry blossoms

How To Be Alone: A Solo-Adventuring Guide

By Sogna L.

At home, I am the type of person that deeply values the time I am able to spend with myself. A typical “I”, I appreciate and value my ability to... keep reading

strawberry cake

My First Month in Korea – Food and Desserts!

By Emily C.

Traveling to a new country means immersing yourself in the new culture. The most obvious and easy way to do this is through food. As I am settling into my... keep reading

ARC

Everything I Learned From Applying for Korea’s Alien Registration Card

By Ahmednoor Hassan

Getting the ARC is a necessary step for studying and traveling in Korea, here's a guide of its importance and ways you can stay on track.

Cultural village tree

Seoul to Suwon: Walking Through History

By Ahmednoor Hassan

One weekend trip showed me how much there is to learn and see outside Seoul, from traditional villages to historic fortress walls.