Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying in Korea: Real Tips from an Indian Student

study in Korea tips, Indian student experience

Planning to study in Korea as an Indian student? Whether you’re going through GKS scholarship, university admission, or self-funded route, there’s more to know than what brochures or YouTube vlogs show.

This blog compiles real, practical tips Indian students wish they knew before they boarded that flight to Seoul (or Busan, Daejeon, Jeonju… the list goes on!).

While leaving for a foreign land might seem quite a daunting task, we’ve covered most of the things you’ll thank us for at the end of this post~ From packing smartly to understanding unwritten rules, here’s what you should know to thrive as a student in Korea—plus tools to help you pack, prep, and adapt. Read on till the end for a bonus!

1. The Real Deal About Dorm Life

Not all dorms are like K-drama dorms. Some university dorms in Korea can be strict—with curfews, room checks, and no cooking rules (the last one came as a shock to me TT). You might be paired with someone who doesn’t speak English or Korean well (this might turn out to be a happy disaster hehe).

My Tip: Bring with you, or order useful dorm essentials BEFOREHAND. You’ll want a compact electric kettle, a universal plug converter, and a rotimaker (I PREPARED BOTH IN MY PACKING AND IT WAS A LIFE SAVIOUR TRICK), and a small storage rack.

Also, be prepared to adjust to shared bathrooms and minimal privacy. It’s common (ever heard of jjimjjilbangs or onsen?).

2. Food Adjustments are Real

The food isn’t always friendly to Indian taste buds.

While Korean food is delicious, it’s heavy on seafood, pork, and spicy fermented items like kimchi. Pure vegetarians or those from religious backgrounds (like Jain or Muslim students) often face difficulties.

Tip: Pack dry Indian foods like poha, maggi, murmuri, daliya, ready-to-eat dal, spices, and pickle along with a rotimaker (your welcome~).

Don’t forget to join local Indian student WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, community forums—they often organize grocery orders together, or atleast you’ll get yourself invited to an affordable lunch-cum-outing.

[Link to some groups – will add soon]

3. The Language Barrier Is Real Even at University

Even in English-taught programs, admin and support staff might speak little to no English, plus what’ll surprise you even more is the fact that the professors in your English taught programs will take classes in Korean because 98% of the students are always Koreans and so majority wins (bitter truth)

Also, for getting help with your visa, medical check-up, or housing, you’ll likely need some Korean.

Tip: Start learning Korean basics before arrival. Aim to pass TOPIK I early. You can contact me online, flexible 1-1 Korean classes customized based on your needs~

4. Mental Health & Culture Shock Are Underrated Issues

Loneliness and academic pressure can hit hard, which is quite common.

You might be the only Indian in your department. Korean students may hesitate to socialize in English. Winter blues, long study hours, and missing home food, together it can overwhelm you (I’ve experienced it all).

Tip: Follow pages or join communities like:

ISA (Indian Student Association in Korea)
Subtle Curry Traits Korea Edition – Facebook group
Your university’s international student office events
Any Indian club in your university

Also, do not hesitate to seek counseling. Korean universities have free mental health services (though sometimes only in Korean TT).

5. Money Matters – Budgeting Surprises

A universal truth, hidden expenses can pile up.

Even if your tuition and dorm are covered, things like winter clothes, bedding, visa renewals, medical insurance, and daily transport eat up money quickly.

Tip: Download the “Packing & Prep Checklist for Korea” PDF I made which includes must-carry items, budgeting table, apps to download, visa document list. [Subscribe to Get It Free]

Another free tip is note down all you day-to-day expenses in a small diary and you can come back anytime to scan it to check where you spent wrong, the way I did.

Also, track spending. Use apps like Monefy or Zaim (budgeting apps).

6. Social & Cultural Adaptation Takes Time

You’re not “fitting in” wrong, it just takes time.

Things like:

Greeting with a bow
Removing shoes indoors
Staying quiet on public transport
Not making direct eye contact with professors

These seem small but carry weight in Korean culture.

Tip: Ask Korean buddies politely, observe how they behave, and stay open-minded.

Learning about cultural hierarchy and social cues helped me build respectful relationships which I’ll cherish forever. (I cried when I came back because I found a second family in Korea)

7. I Wish I Knew These Earlier… But Here’s How I Coped

I didn’t pack well. My first winter, I wore 4 layers of clothing and still froze. I was a Korean major but didn’t know local slangs or signs properly, so I struggled at the bank, got on wrong bus and missed a few notices in the hostel TT.

But I asked for help. I leaned on upper-year Indian students, watched basic Korean YouTube videos, and kept a pocket dictionary (yes, old school).

Add some apps to this essentials list too. Some oof these were told by my friend to me before going to Korea (a lifesaver!) Find the full list here! (soon)

If I had read a real blog like this, I could’ve avoided so many issues. That’s why I’m sharing this now.

Useful Resources from Other Indian Students

Here are a few Indian blogs and videos I found super helpful:

Studying in Korea is an unforgettable adventure but it’s not all cherry blossoms and K-pop. With the right prep, mindset, and real tips, you’ll not only survive, you’ll thrive.

Want to skip the confusion?
Download my “Packing & Prep Checklist for Korea” PDF now and get a head-start. It includes:

Essentials
Student-specific docs
Electronics & apps
Bonus prep tips

ampus India & beyond- Packing and Prep Checklist for Korea Download

And don’t forget to follow this blog or Instagram for more student tips, scholarships, and culture insights!

For more such informative content and real life reviews about Korea please check out our KoreaPedia section. And make sure you subscribe to get updates on more such posts!