Summarizing and few tips

Even though I hate it, I'm getting to realize that I'm in Finland, back to my old life. I'm still every day re-living my awesome experience in Korea, my friends are probably getting really tired and angry when I'm always saying how much I miss Korea and how wonderful place (and cheap) it is :) Since this blog is replacing my exchange report, here are few tips for a future exchange student preparing to leave for Korea:

As a Finnish student you only need to apply for a single-entry visa even though you want to travel abroad during your stay in Korea. As long as you take care of the alien registration you can leave and enter the country for as long as the registration card is valid. However, I recommend you to check this fact from the embassy in case something changes. And yea, it takes time for the visa application to go through so do it right away when you get acceptance letter from Keimyung.

Last fall was exceptionally tricky with North Korea, but don't let it affect your decision. The two Koreas brawl from time to time, but international press exaggerates the situation a lot. In reality you couldn't tell that anything had happened. Koreans lived their lives and weren't too worried about the situation.

It takes more time to get things in order so be patient with taking care of small but vital things (bank, internet, cell). Because you're not in Finland :) Things tend to be a bit trickier and Koreans really don't bend the rules for any reasons.

This might be the most vital thing if you're going to Keimyung and are living in the dorm: Don't let the curfew get to you. It really sucks, but make friends with your floor leader and I'll guarantee that you'll be able to have fun :) And even if they threaten you with getting kicked out from the dorm, it's not possible ;) And when it comes to choosing the dorm, go with the International Learning & Residence Hall. I heard disgusting stuff about Keli House..

If you want to make your life in Korea a little bit easier, take the Korean language class even if you really don't want to..

Keep an open mind with food. And if you can't handle spicy food and don't eat meat you're in the wrong place. And it's worth playing Russian Roulette at least once with the food :)

Network as much as you can with Koreans. They know the most original places to go out, the best dishes and you'll get to know much more about Korea than just hanging out with other exchange students.

And finally: don't go to Korea if you only wanna study. Korea is really beautiful and it would be shame not to travel to different areas. And also, it's easy and relatively cheap to visit other Asian countries..

Even though it's a cliche: Exchange was the best time in my life with it's ups and downs. It's the best opportunity to live abroad, because it might not be possible after entering work life. Even though you might feel a sting for leaving Skinnarila or other tight student community, just go! I can almost guarantee, that if it's up to you: it's gonna be LEGEN.. wait for it.. DARY!

H