This article is probably a fraction too
late for you guys just arriving into the EPIK program but just incase there are
a few lost lambs out there or for the new intake in August (Yes Alex I’m writing this for you) here is some info I wish I’d know.
Banks
Banking in Korea is HARD. It is a complicated
mission of no English and endless signature all just to get a tiny task done. I
am currently with NH and although I have had a lot of problems with them, like
them leaving me stranded in Bangkok
with a overseas card that doesn’t work, they have overall
been helpful.
If you are going to be able to choose I
would always go with KEB or KB. KEB is the best bank for transferring money
home by far, their online system doesn’t
charge a lot of the fee’s most banks do and there is
a myth that it’s open on weekends. I am
going to find out if this myth is true this weekend. KB is worth joining
because your card can be used on all subway systems in Korea. You just
swipe it when you get on or off any transport and on the 15th and 30th
of the month it deducts it from your bill. Lee has one of these and it’s the most helpful things to have when traveling.
The internet system on all Korean banks is abysmal
and requires you to download about 5 security packages every time. Also be
aware that it will download a file to your computer when you first sign up to
internet banking. You will then only be able to use that computer to sign in,
unless you get the file onto a usb and carry it with you.
When you get a new account be sure to ask
for:
. A card you can use in shops and at an ATM
(I was given a card only for ATM’s
which baffled me)
. A card you can use online to buy things
(this requires a VISA or MASTERCARD)
. Internet banking
. And internet banking password (I kid you
not, if you don’t ask for the password you
will have to return to the bank and get one even though you’ve signed up and received authorization codes,
also be aware that after you sign up you must log in within 48 hours or you
will have to go back to the bank)
. Ability to transfer money abroad
. Ability to transfer money abroad on the
internet
. A card that will work over seas. (this is
the card I paid for and was reassured would work only to arrive in Bangkok and be as
worthless as a Kit Kat wrapper.)
. The English phone line number.
. How to use the bill paying machine. (very
simple luckily and something I’ll film in the near future)
That’s all I can think of now but after a year there are still some of
these things I need to get sorted. Each of these bullet points is unfortunately
a different bank trip for me. If you can sit down and get them all done at once
your arm will hurt from the 20 signatures for every bullet point but you will
be ready to go.
*In regards to using your cards outside of Korea. I
believe the way it works is Korean VISA will let you take money out of the ATM’s and Korean Mastercards will allow you to charge
money to it in shops, but this may only be my bank NH.
Travel
A travel card is really helpful and will
save you a lot of money over time. You can get these from the tiny (and I mean
tiny) stalls next to bus stops and subways. They normally look like they only
sell drinks, cigarettes and candy but you can top up and buy travel cards here.
The name of the cards are:
대경교통카드 or Dae-kyeong gyo-tong card-uh
You can use the blue machines in subways or
these stall to top them up but they require cash. I have an awful memory but I
think it was 2,000 won to get the card.
If you spend a little extra and get a ‘T’ mobile travel card (can be
found in the small stalls or 7-11’s)
then you can also use these in Seoul
and Busan.
Bus stations
If you want to travel by bus somewhere, it
is really easy and really cheap. The amazing leg room and space found on the
luxury buses that go on long journeys also make it a great way to travel. The
main bus station for Seoul
and Busan is at DongDaegu. You can get a subway here. Depending where you are
headed will determine which station you go to . Currently we are still working
out which is which but they are all very close together. You don’t seem to be able to buy these tickets online but
you can check how many seats are left on coaches at this site:
http://www.kobus.co.kr/web/eng/02_service/service01.jsp
KTX
If you are trying to get to Seoul or Busan in a hurry
then the KTX is for you. You may have already tried this great form of
transport but if not its easy and simple to navigate.
You can order tickets for the KTX or slow
trains here:
The KTX will be booked up extremely fast on
busy days and its always smart to pre order.
As a Brit, trains come and go vaguely based
on times listed. That is not the case here. The ktx will leave the station at
the exact time listed. Make sure you have a seat and don’t let Ajummas (old Korean ladies) kick you out of
them or confuse you as has been known to happen. I’ve heard many a tale of people getting off trains thinking it’s the wrong one but actually have been
seat-jacked.
Don’t be tempted to treat yourself on the slow or fast trains to first
class. There is no noticeable difference what so ever in these carriages apart
from people aren’t allowed to stand in them.
*Important information*
Make sure to take your passport if you have
booked tickets. The ticket desk uses your passport to confirm your order and
you will need it to receive your purchase.
Phones
Unfortunately I can’t help you too much with this one as I only obtained my phone in the
5th month of being here due to bringing an unlocked iPhone with me.
What I will say is if you are bring one from home make sure you contact the
provider it use to be with and you have it officially unlocked. I used many
ones online that claimed to work but unfortunately none did. It costs about $40
to get an iPhone unlocked officially.
I currently pay 60,000 won a month which
includes unlimited internet which is a savior in a country that does have great
Wi-Fi but only if you already have a SK or Olleh account to enter a specific
code.
You can find Wi-Fi in places such as Lotteria,
Starbucks and holly’s coffee but you normally
only get about half hour with it.
My biggest advice when getting a phone is
find a Korean person to help you. The nuances of the contracts and the general
information needed will leave you feeling a little over your head. There are
people that speak English but they are few and far between. In Daegu there is
phone alley which has endless phone shops you can try.
To get to this street, leave Banwoldang
from exit 10. Walk straight and make a left at the Burger bar in front of you.
There will be a small alley, when you come out of the alley you will be on
phone alley. (If you know the way to Traveler’s bar, it is the exact same way but the road you cross before
turning left to Traveler’s street)
Internet
The internet in Korea comes on varying plans. I
have free internet in my house but other people I know had to pay monthly. My
boyfriend’s co teacher set his up for
him and it was about 30,000 won a month. Unfortunately when he left his flat
this year they wanted 400,000 won disconnection fee. This was due to his co
teacher signing him up for a 3 year deal (?) she had very good intentions as it
made it cheaper through out the year but over all was not worth it. Make sure
to check the disconnection policy incase your school wants to cut it off before
you leave or you change flats in your second year.
If you have any questions or more
experiences to share please let me know.
Traveling is daunting and the only way we
survived at the beginning was with helpful advice from people that had already
dragged themselves up the mountain and made it to the top.
PLEASE note that all of this is just
opinion and not 100% accurate, its just my experiences. I hope it helps just a
little. Welcome to Daegu J
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