I’ve personally never been to a hasookjip before, but two of my classmates live in one and they’ve had a good experience so far. I don’t really know about Itaewon for hasookjips but you’ll be able to find some cheap ones for sure in Sinchon or any area where you’ll find lots of students. There are lots of other great areas to live in Seoul but unfortunatley the nicer the area the more expensive it becomes ㅠㅠ. Do you have a set amount you want to spend?
Sogang is going good so far. I’ll probably skip the summer semester and reenroll for the fall semester. I have to save up some money. :( There’s a huge international mix of people here. There’s really somebody from every country. I would say the biggest group here would have to be Japanese though. If you’re not sure where to live, I’d recommend trying the Sogang dorms. I’ve heard that they are hard to get into for Language students, they prefer to give the dorms to full time students. However one of the girls in my class is staying at the dorms. I asked her how she managed that and she said she just applied very far in advance. I would also try looking on craigslist. There are a bunch of people searching for roommates posting on there. They have lots of rooms around Hongdae and Itaewon for ₩450,000 - 600,000. Its not cheap but a clean, nice goshiwon will start around the same price. I’m currently living in a three bedroom apartment. I share with two girls from the US and I found it on craigslist. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
The application process is as simple as possible. Just fill out the online application. Within a week you’ll get an email from the program manager asking you to email a copy of your diploma and passport. I think might have also had to email a copy of my alien registration card. But you won’t have to if you dont have one. Once they receive those things by email they’ll ask you to transfer the payment into their bank account. When they receive the money you’re officially enrolled. They basically accept everyone who pays. Just make sure you know when the application deadline is, because sometimes they suddenly change it. For example the deadline they have written on the posters at school is different from what they have on their website. Goood luck. :)
These are awesome. Someone teach me how to do… Pretty please..
(Source: thinandfreeiwillbe)
Teacup 茶碗: I feel like if you're moderately slim and fit, you're not allowed to mention weight AT ALL.
I feel like if you’re moderately slim and fit, you’re not allowed to mention weight AT ALL.
You can’t mention being worried about putting on weight, or wanting to take a bit off, or eating healthier and exercising more.
As soon as you do, someone inevitably either a) compares themselves to you, as though the fact that they’re bigger than you invalidates your own body goals or b) dismisses your goals because you’re “thin enough already” and “don’t need to worry.”
What if I don’t give a fuck that I’m smaller than some people? I’m not going to measure my body against anyone else, that’s silly. And my goals are just as important as anyone else’s. I have an image of the fittest possible body I can personally obtain and I’ll keep striving for it, and I’d really like to be able to openly talk about my concerns, setbacks and triumphs.
But apparently when you’re already fairly slim, that’s not okay.
This. Everyone has the right to strive for their ideal body type and nobody deserves to be condescended to.
Has anyone tried this with an Iphone and had it work?After living here for 6 months, I’ve finally discovered how to use my phone as T-money. I’ve always wanted to use my phone, because I usually have my phone out. Whereas with my wallet, sometimes I have to dig through my purse to find it, and when the bus is packed, it can be difficult sometimes.
One of my Korean friend taught me to just slip the T-money card between my phone case and phone, tried it, and just got an error message telling me to place one card only on the machine. Friend said maybe I already have money on my phone, try putting just your phone on there next time. Did that, ended up completely embarrassed because nothing happened and I quickly pulled out my wallet to pay.
After that I kind of gave up, until last week when another friend told me my sim card in my phone acts like the T-money, so just put money on my phone. Yesterday I was at the subway station, making sure no one else was around to see in case it was another complete fail, I went up to those money recharging machine. I placed my phone where I normally would put my card, and I put in 2000 won just to test it out. And it totally works!!!
I also found an app, KT T-money, where I could recharge my phone by paying for it through my cell phone bill. The only catch is there’s a service charge, like 500 won for every 10,000 won. It could come in handy when I have no more money on my card and not near a subway station or convenient store.
I wish I knew how to link my check card to T-money, I always see people paying with their VISA. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about recharging my T-Money whenever it’s low on funds.
What???! I was just talking about this saying it would be great if you could just recharge money on your phone. Can this work for an iPhone? And with SKT???
Whaaaaaaaaaaat?? SIM card acts as t-money??? Wha- How- #@#@$#%@#$
i’m sooooo gonna try this tomorrow
btw, using your credit or debit card to pay for transportation is a service you have to apply for with your bank. I’m not sure how to ask, or what the service is called, but I asked my co-teachers and they said its something you have to apply for separately.
I had the exact same epiphany the other day! I had a little T Money dangly thing on my phone, and I set my phone in the little area you put your cards in to charge it up. It behaved a little abnormally, but then it took my money. When I tried to use my T Money card, it failed and I was like, “What? No!! I just put W20,000 on there!” but then I thought, “maybe…” and I tried my phone and sure enough…
Best thing since sliced bread, seriously.
Garosugil
After living in Korea for a year and a half my life has completely taken on a routine. During the weekdays I go to Korean class during the morning. After that I usually go with some girls from my class to study at a café, get lunch or play in a noraebang around Sinchon area.
Later in the day I usually go meet a friend for coffee or dinner. 99% of the time I hang out at Garosugil. It’s my favorite hang out place in Seoul. There’s lots of people around, but it’s not overcrowded like Gangnam station area. There are so many good stores, restaurants and coffee shops in Garosugil. FYI girls ~ they just opened a Zara at Garosugil. Yay! It’s down the road near the Forever 21. Can’t wait till it’s time to shop for summer clothes. Besides big chains like Forever 21 and Zara there are a million smaller stores to pop into too.
When I’m in Garosugil I usually got to Coffee Smith. It’s kind of a famous coffee shop. There’s a huge outdoor sitting area that’s amazing during the summertime. Coffee Smith is where I saw Jaejoong from DBSK/JYJ. Girls, seriously he’s beautiful in real life. Seriously beautiful. I couldn’t even look at him. I only noticed him when he and his entourage of about 6 people were leaving. My Korean friend was freaking out, it was so funny. After that we both agreed that Coffee Smith was the best place on earth. Every time I go there, I’m kinda hopeful I’ll see him again. (Hasn’t happend yet) I’ve seen some other celebrities there, but nobody as famous. I saw girl group Rania there the other day.
The great thing about Garosugil is that it’s always changing. I feel like every time I go there, there’s a new café, store or restaurant. If you haven’t been there or are coming to Seoul for a visit, I highly recommend it. :)
I need more drinking buddies
seriously need some. I always go with the same persons and it’s fun and all but still.
If anyone is in korea and interested :P please give me a call :P
I…
Wow, didn’t imagine so many people to reblog this post. Anyway I’ll go to Cocoon on Friday with SMKBoyfriendsays and Piecesofmyseoul if anyone want to join in, send me a message I’ll kakao/message/text you about exact time/place of meeting.
And then we should set a date for a big fancy tumblr meetup ^^
I’m so down for a tumblr meet up. Do you girls play in Hongdae or Gangnam? I know every club in Gangnam but don’t know a single club in Hongdae….
Thoughts on Sogang: Part 1
Just finished my third day at Sogang University Korean Language Program. Now that I’ve been there a few days, I have a more clear idea of the program.
Like every school, learning depends on your teachers. I really like both of my teachers a lot so that really helps in enjoying the class.
It’s so interactive. It’s not like a typical college class where you just listen to the teacher and take notes. First the teacher will explain a new grammar point, and give us some related vocabulary. Then we always either play a game or do some role play with the other students.
For example yesterday the other Level 1 class next door to us came into our classroom and everyone had to walk around introducing ourselves and asking the other class where they came from and where they live etc . since we had learned those things earlier. We always do soooo much role play conversation so the new grammar sticks in your head pretty fast because your using it in conversation right away. For example today our teacher had us partner up and we had to walk around the classroom asking our partner what different classroom objects were. Then our partners would respond by asking us what different things are. We usually do group conversation at the table we are sitting at too.
We also play tons of games. Today we played a game where our teacher would call out a name of an object and each table had to quickly find the matching object that shows that object. The team found it the fastest won. Then our teacher put us in groups and gave us about 25 different labels. We had to run around the classroom labeling things and whichever team finished their labels first was the winner. Our teacher was the only one wearing a skirt so every team stuck the ‘skirt’ label on her. Other people were dashing around with labels stuck to their glasses or pants. Our second teacher made us play a game of ‘Memory’ with our table. We had to flip over a card with a picture and a card with a vocab word on it. Whoever matched up the most was the winner. Obviously nothing too exciting, but it definitely breaks up the monotony of a typical classroom environment. So the time goes by pretty fast.
Good to hear that. I’ll keep blogging about it then. :)
If your a total beginner and want to start at Level 1 you don’t need to interview. However if you think you are a level higher than that or aren’t sure your level you need to do the interview. You can either interview in person or over the phone. In person interview obviously only works if you’re in Korea. Phone interviews are for anyone overseas. If you live in Korea, they want you to do the in person interview but they make exceptions if you live too far from Seoul or can’t make it for whatever reason. The interview basically consists of some conversation with the instructor. They might also ask you to read something. It takes about ten minutes for the whole thing. :)
Sogang University KLEC
I started Sogang University’s Korean Language program today. I tested into level 1 the very very beginner class. I’m obviously not a complete beginner since I know hangul and can speak some Korean. But I’m definitely not level two standard yet either.
My class is from 10-1pm. I wanted to get there a little early, but of course arrived about 10 minutes late.. Obviously not ideal on the first day of class. My plan was to leave my apartment at 8:30 but somehow overslept through all four of my alarms and didn’t even wake up till 8:51… Oops! Clearly staying up all night watching reruns of Australia’s next top model wasn’t a very clever idea. You live and learn.
When I got to Sogang I was right on time but I have no sense of direction and completely walked past the building I was supposed to be in and wandered around confused for like 5 minutes before I realized where I was supposed to go. Inside the building was a list of everyone’s name and what class they were supposed to be in.
My teachers were very nice. I have one teacher from 10-12 (speaking) and another teacher from 12-1 (listening & reading). Some of the other students get there an hour earlier and have another teacher from 9-10 that does writing. I didn’t sign up for that because it was a little more expensive.
The class was super easy today. They just reviewed the alphabet which I already knew so wasn’t hard at all. We played a lot of games though in class so it wasn’t boring though. I will say this though, the review of the alphabet was just that, a review. The teachers teach under the premise that we all already knew hangul and they were just reviewing what we already knew. If you had never seen or studied the alphabet before then you would have been completely lost. I’m pretty sure everyone in my class knew the basics though.
The class is structured so that we go though one chapter every week. We take four days to learn the chapter and the firth day is always a review day.
My classmates all seemed pretty nice. There are 12 students in my class altogether. I didn’t talk to everyone so I’m not completely sure, but some of the students are from Japan, Taiwan, Algeria, New Caledonia etc..,. After class I went lunch with three of the other students. All of them had just arrived to Korea and are loving it so far.
We’ll see how the program goes. If you guys are interested I’ll write more about it. :)
So my contract at my kindergarten expires at the end of Feb. I decided to take a break from teaching so I’ll be switching to a student visa and taking full time Korean classes at Sogang University. They’re the best program for actually speaking skills from everything I’ve heard. I was in a bit of a panic for a few days as it seemed they lost my application but it was all straightened out. I transferred the tuition money today so it’s official (I almost cried watching all that money leave my bank account).
I’ve been researching the Sogang program alot, and while everyone seems to give them great reviews everyone also seems to agree that it’s pretty tough. Like they give a ton of homework and vocab to study. Having a lot of homework isn’t what panics me, its the vocab memorization. Having to learn a bunch of new words one day and needing to use them in class the next day is really hard for me. I have such a shit memory for vocab. Anyways, the semester starts March 6th so I’ll update more when they start.
Another stress about not teaching anymore is that I can’t rely on my job for providing my housing now. It’s hard to find a roomate who has an available room if you don’t want to live in Itaewon or Hongdae. I feel like almost every advertisment I find is for those areas. However I found a really nice (and sadly really expensive) apartment in Jamsil. I’ll be moving in the first week of March. There are two other roommates, both girls, but they seemed really sweet. I really hate moving and I loooooorve my current offictel but I don’t have a choice. I really want my own apartment with no roommates, but why is key money here so expensive? fml.
Omg ~ I have no idea when you sent this so I hope it hasn’t been sitting in my in box for a while :((. Sorry for the late reply if it has!! Firstly Mok-dong is a nice, rather wealthy area. Tons of officetels, offices, and schools etc. However there isn’t really any nightlife in the area. There are a few bars, but they’re mostly for the afterwork crowd and close pretty early. You have to travel to a different area if you really wanna party. Gangnam is kinda far by subway, around 45 minutes. I prefer Gangnam, but if you like the Hongdae scene better, its much closer to you. And it’s really easy to catch a bus going there. As for meeting beautiful boys, unfortunately I don’t know any… But I do know all the good clubs where you can find one ;) Anyway if you need a guide in Seoul, I’m happy to help you! I wish I had someone to show me around when I came here. And I don’t have any American friends here so I’m definitely willing to make a few :)
On getting a lip plumper in Seoul…
So yeah. My dashboard says its been 9 months since I posted anything. I’m sure nobody will remember me, but that’s ok. My last post was about how I planned to get a filler put in my top lip. For those of you who have ever considered it, let me give you an overview of how it went. They gave me an original quote of ₩200,000, but told me that price could increase depending on how much filler reeds to be used. I went into the clinic with several pictures of how I wanted my lip to look and showed the doctor so that we were on the same wavelength. I definitely did not want to walk out of there looking like an Angelina Jolie wannabe. My friend came with me and I wanted her to come into the room with me to give me emotional support but they told us no. :( So it was one doctor and two assistants (nurses?) in the room while I had it done. It only took like ten minutes. He put around 9 shots in my top lip. He did the left side first, then the middle, then the right side. When he was finished he went back and evened it out. It wasn’t too painful, definitely much better than I thought but maybe that’s because I hyped myself up into thinking it would be excruciating. It felt weird because I could feel the needle digging into my lip and feel the filler going in and plumping it up. It came out really good. Exactly how I wanted it, but since they had to put so much filler in it cost ₩600,000 ㅠㅠ. I really, really loved it but i didn’t last as long as i wanted it to I got it done the first week of February and by May I could see it starting to fade out. By June it was completely gone and I was back to my old lips :((. So overall I loved it but it cost a lot more than I really wanted to spend and it didn’t last as long as I would have liked. However if I ever have an extra ₩600,000 lying around I’d definitely do it again
