Weather
Firstly, Korea is unbelievably humid. Once I stepped off the airplane, the humidity hit me hard. Even though it is inside with air conditioning, you could feel the damp air. South Korea has humidity higher than most US states. In the summer, the average humidity is about 71%, with highs reaching 77%. So I quickly realized that showering everyday is important. As someone who was born and raised in Washington State, I thought that when it rained, the rain would cool the temperature down; I was so very wrong. When it rains, the temperature outside is still hot and the rain is warm. Which honestly makes the weather more miserable.
It is also important to wear sunscreen everyday, even if it is cloudy or rainy. In general wearing sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin from the sun, but here is Korea it feel especially important, due to the fact that the sun here feels like it will burn your skin to a crisp.
In terms of clothing, t-shirts and shorts are the best clothing options; but nothing too revealing because Korea is a conservative country. If you decide to wear long sleeve shirts, pants or even a jacket, BEWARE. You will sweat through your clothes within an hour, especially with all the walking required.
Accessibility
While Korea is a very advanced country, leading the world in technology, medicine and home to global brands like Samsung, there still lacks accessibility for those who are mentally and physically disadvantaged. For example, if you have asthma it might be more difficult to get around due to long staircases and steep hills. For the first couple of days being here, my legs were incredibly sore. My average steps per day is around 17,000. There are escalators and elevators, but there are not guarantied everywhere and in many cases will cause you to to take more time due to their inconvenient location.
(Trigger Warning!!! Mentions of suicide, please skip to next paragraph if triggering)
In terms of mental health, Korea is not supportive. While programs that help those with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation exist, discussion about mental health is still highly stigmatized. In Korea, suicide is most common among teens and adults due to societal pressures. While traveling and exploring around various neighborhoods in Seoul, I have noticed anti-suicide structures, especially around bridges.
When coming to Korea please be cautious of your medication. Certain medication is not allowed in Korea, therefore before coming to Korea, please consult with your doctor.
Lifestyle
In Korea it is common for restaurants, cafes and stores to open around 12pm. Stores will close around 6pm and restaurants/cafes will close around 10pm. If the neighborhood is a more nightlife/party area then restaurants will close around 2am.
Drinking culture is very big in Korea. It is a common way for people in Korea to socialize; new or old friends. For certain business employees, it is common for team dinners to include drinking. This causes employees to feel pressured to drink by their boss. In Korea, listening to your superior is important, therefore refusing to drink is considered rude to your colleagues and boss.
Smoking cigarettes is very common for Korean adults, both young and old. Many Korean chose to smoke because it releases the stress from their job. While other drugs like marihuana are completely banned in Korea, smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes are completely normal and common. In Korea, a person is considered an adult at 18 (international age). Therefore at 18, you are allowed to vote, drink alcohol, smoke and drive a car.
DU Abroad 