Guide 04 · Campus
Student life
Campus, clubs, part-time work, dormitories and the rhythm of a Korean semester.
The semester rhythm
Spring runs roughly March to June, fall September to December, with midterms and finals as the two anchors. Between semesters there are long breaks with optional summer and winter sessions. Attendance counts: many courses set a minimum, and grades often include participation.
Dormitories and clubs
Most universities house first-year and international students in dormitories, usually shared rooms with a curfew and a meal plan. Clubs (동아리) are how campus social life works — sports, music, language exchange, volunteering — and the first weeks of a semester are when they recruit. Joining one is the fastest route to Korean friends and to real, informal Korean.
Part-time work
International students on a student visa may work part-time only with permission from immigration, with limits on hours that depend on your program and Korean level. Get the permission before starting: working without it can affect your visa.
Money and daily costs
Student cafeterias, convenience stores and transit passes keep everyday costs low compared with many cities; housing is the biggest line. Your university's international office publishes an estimated cost of living for its city — use that figure rather than a national average.
Support on campus
Every university has an international student office (국제처 or 국제교류처) that handles visa paperwork, insurance questions and orientation. It is also where you ask about buddy programs, Korean language classes for enrolled students and university-specific scholarships.