Everything you need to know about interning in Seoul

1. What kind of internships can people do in Seoul?

We offer internships across many career fields in the areas of:

• Business Development
• PR & Marketing
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Graphic Design
• Journalism & Publishing Media
• Charity & NGO Support
• Education
• Information Technology

2. What makes internships in Seoul so unique?

Business Development internships are perfect for those who want to develop cross-cultural competencies, learn about the Korean corporate culture and business needs, and to enhance their soft skills to boost their confidence.

Interns in the PR & Marketing internships will have opportunities to show off their creative talents, expand their portfolio for marketing & communications to strengthen their resume and learn about the latest marketing trends from a unique East Asian perspective.

South Korea is experiencing a boom in the tourism sector and the Tourism & Hospitality Internships are perfect for interns who want to pursue a career in this dynamic industry as this program will allow interns to gain an understanding of various operational, administrative, and logistical requirements within the industry.

Graphic Design internships provide interesting opportunities to combine interests in art, design, technology, commerce, and communications, so this is a great opportunity for interns to build on their portfolio and to develop practical skills using a range of design tools and software.

South Korea boasts one of the world’s most highly educated working populations and is one of the top-performing OECD countries in academic skills like science, mathematics, literacy and reading. Education internships allows interns to learn about different teaching styles and support required for students plus it’s a great opportunity for cultural immersion as interns will be able to support children in learning English while learning more about the Korean culture at the same time.

South Korea has advanced internet infrastructure and is one of the most well connected countries in the world and boasts a network courage of around 99.98%. Information Technology Internships allow interns to challenge themselves to enhance their IT skills, build their confidence and expand their knowledge in this dynamic sector in the tech hub of Seoul.

3. How are interns supported?

There are basically 3 layers of support for you as an abroad intern.

1. I’m the Program Manager for our South Korea internships and I will be supporting you for your pre-departure steps before you start your internship. This will include ensuring that you have a resume (CV) and cover letter, a valid passport that is not expiring in the next 6 months, mandatory travel insurance and a criminal background check. You will be provided a Program Guide once you confirm your participation as well and this important document will provide you with all of the necessary information that you will need for your pre-departure Checklist.

2. The local coordinators in Seoul are your second layer of support and they are responsible for sourcing your placement, accommodation, airport pickup and in-country orientation.

3. Finally, you have your internship supervisor who will be working alongside you in your host organization and this person will be there to guide, support and mentor you in your daily tasks during your internship.

4. Is it okay to intern in Seoul if I don’t speak Korean?

Absolutely, as the internships are conducted in English. Compared to most other non-English speaking Asian destinations, you will find that many people of the younger generation are more comfortable conversing in English. However, interns must come prepared to interact with some others at times, who may speak limited English. Positive experiences always require a willingness to surmount language barriers and focus on ways to connect, rather than obstacles.

It helps if you know some basic Korean phrases in advance as this will definitely help to break the ice as Koreans appreciate it a lot when they know that someone has taken the effort to learn the language: it could be something as simple as saying “annyeonghaseyo” (hello) when you arrive at the placement to greet your supervisor and coworkers. “Gamsahamnida” (thank you) is a useful phrase to say when you want to thank someone for anything. Saying “jal meokgesseumnida” (meaning “I will eat well”) before eating your meal or even to address someone respectfully using the honorific “nim” after their name or job title.

5. What is the accommodation like?

The Program Fee for internships in Seoul includes accommodation. Interns are accommodated with a private non-smoking bedroom and bathroom, in a residence apartment, located within central Seoul. The rooms have WiFi, cable TV, air conditioning, heating, a desk, and a simple kitchenette (with induction hobs and a washing machine). Towels, hairdryers, and other personal hygiene items are not provided, so guests must bring these according to their own needs.

6. What is the food like?

The Program Fees for South Korea do not include meals. However, it is extremely affordable to eat out or cook in the mini kitchenette of your accommodation as there is a fridge, hob and a microwave available for your use.

There are a wide variety of options available, catering to different budgets and tastes. From delicious street food to fast food joints, casual local restaurants to mid-range dining options, and even high-end luxury restaurants - there is something to suit every palate and budget. Convenience stores (called pyeoneuijeom) are plentiful and supermarkets are easily accessible, providing a range of ready-to-eat meals (like dosirak box meals), snacks, and groceries at affordable prices. These options can be a great choice for interns on a tight budget or those looking for a quick and convenient meal.

South Korea has an amazing street food culture, so don’t forget to visit places like Gwangjang Market (made famous by Netflix), Myeongdong Street Food Alley and Dongdaemun Night Market, where you can try kimbap (sesame-oil-flavored rice roll with fillings wrapped in seaweed), mandu (dumplings), tornado potato and tteokbokki (rice cakes smothered in spicy gochujang sauce)! There are also plenty of noodle dishes like naengmyeon (cold noodles), jjajangmyeon (noodles with black bean sauce) and jjamppong (spicy seafood noodles).

Don’t forget to try Korean BBQ, Korean Fried Chicken and sweet offerings like patbingsu (a milk-based dessert on a mountain of shaved ice with toppings like fruit, syrup & red beans), hotteok (thick pancakes filled with cinnamon, nuts and brown sugar) and bungeoppang (cute fish-sahpped waffles with sweet fillings like chocolate, red bean paste, cream or custard).

The cost of food and dining in South Korea can vary widely depending on where you choose to dine. The average price range for street food or fast food is between US$2 - US$5 per meal. Casual dining restaurants will cost around US$5 - US$15 per meal and you can expect to pay US$50 and above per meal at fine dining and luxury restaurants. A weekly budget of US$210 - US$250 is recommended for meals and considered to be sufficient. However, bear in mind that your weekly spending budget will be determined by your own personal spending habits and lifestyle choices, so please take this into consideration and plan accordingly.

7. How will I get around Seoul?

Seoul is very well connected and has an excellent, clean and efficient public transportation network. The fastest way to get around is via subway and as Seoul is a large city, it is wise to anticipate an average commute time to and from the internship placement of up to 60 minutes (each way). Internship placements can be based in Seoul or on the major industrial outskirts of Seoul Capital Area.

While getting around in Seoul, an app like Naver Maps will be your best friend, so it’s important to bring a smart phone with this app installed. (Free WiFi is available at most stations but the signal might come and go as you’re traveling). It makes getting around super easy, providing precise instructions from “A” to “B”. Routes in the metro stations are color-coded, numbered, and locations are written in the latin alphabet, as well as in the Korean script.

In Seoul, the TMoney card is a standard transit card that can be used on any public bus, subway, taxis, and even many convenient stores. TMoney cards can be purchased and charged at most convenience stores, subway stations and tourist information centers. Interns should plan on budgeting approximately ₩25,000 (approximately US$20) per week for public transportation costs.

8. How much money do I need to intern in Seoul??

Your Program Fee covers your airport pick-up and accommodation. However, you will need to spend money for meals, public transportation, Korean lessons (optional), weekend travel, shopping, personal expenses, and return transportation to the airport. Ultimately, depending on your own spending habits and lifestyle choices, personal budgets can vary enormously.

We recommend budgeting between ₩86,000 - ₩100,000 per month for using the metro (approximately US$65 - US$75 per month). A recommended budget of at least ₩40,000 per day (about US$30) is suggested for meals, provided if these are simple, budget or non-frills meals.

The cost of transportation back to Incheon International airport depends on your chosen mode of transport. This can range from ₩10,000 - ₩30,000 (between US$7.50 - US$22) for public transportation and from ₩60,000 - ₩150,000 (between US$44 - US$110) if you take a taxi.

However more should be budgeted for social and tourism activities. It’s wise to research tourism activities in advance to get an idea of what you’d like to do and how much you need to earmark for this – for example, a picnic at the Han River with your friends isn’t going to cost as much as a weekend at Lotte World.

We recommend that you arrive with at least US$200 worth of Korean Won. If you arrive with cash that you need to exchange, it’s best to do so at the airport when you arrive, as you can only change money in Seoul in places where there are lots of tourists. It’s best to just do it in advance, at your home bank (and then continue to withdraw cash from ATMs throughout your stay, as you need it).

9. Who would you recommend internships in South Korea for?

The internships in South Korea are suitable for interns who thrive on challenges, have a great sense of adventure, are independent, have a strong work ethic and are willing to try out a new lifestyle in terms of the pace, food, language and culture.

Seoul is a great destination for those who thrive on a fast pace of life and don’t mind commuting on public transport (as Seoul is massive and it is normal to spend up to 60 minutes commuting each way). The subway system is affordable, convenient, efficient and easy to navigate with Naver Maps (Google Maps is not accurate in South Korea). There is also a reasonable amount of walking involved as in any other big city.

South Korea is a great destination for cultural immersion as you will be living in a culture different from your own and you can take advantage of Korean lessons (optional).

10. What are your best tips/recommendations?

Come with a very open mind, do some prior research to understand the local cultural norms and communication styles. It also helps if you can learn some basic Korean phrases as Koreans really appreciate it a lot when they know that someone has taken the effort to learn their language. Koreans place high emphasis on hard work, humility, civic mindedness and punctuality, so the ability to adapt is a must.

Take some time to socialize with your fellow interns and colleagues. It’s normal to find things stressful at the beginning as you’re still adapting to a new lifestyle, so please don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor for feedback, communicate with them and also reach out to the South Korea coordinators as they are also there to support you. Show plenty of enthusiasm and maintain a high level of professionalism.

If you follow these tips, you will find your internship experience in Korea to be a rewarding one where you will get to develop and grow your personal and professional skills.

11. I’m in! How can I start planning my internship in South Korean?

Internships in Seoul, South Korean offer start dates year-round. Opportunities are flexible and there’s something for everyone, so explore your fields of interest and start planning! It can be challenging to take the first step, but once that decision has been made, the experience only gets better.

1. Apply online first. The application process is non-obligatory and free.

2. After applying, you’ll receive more details on how to confirm your internship placement.

3. To confirm, you’ll register online after your application has been accepted. This means taking care of the US$499 deposit, which enables us to provide services and pre-departure support. Affordable internship fees can be reviewed online.

4. Once you’re registered, the adventure begins!