Your money will go much further if you avoid Gangnam in general. There are plenty of other things to do in the city without heading to the area that Psy parodied in his famous music video. If money is tight, try Hongdae, Myeongdong, Itaewon… the list goes on. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll get a feel for the kind of city Seoul really is. Outside of Gangnam prices can be quite reasonable.

Accommodation

From the Park Hyatt to cheaper accommodation like the Hotel Ibis in Myeong Dong, you’ll find plenty of nice places to stay at average prices considering the size and safety of the city. You’ll find all the big names here like Marriott and Hilton. On the other end of the spectrum there are motels that are only slightly seedy (really) that are designed to look fancy on the surface. If you’re broke pay a thousand won or two per hour to sleep in the comfy chair of a PC room. The employees won’t bother you but the game sounds might.

Ibis should cost under $160 a night, a motel under $80. 5 star hotels like the Hyatt will push you over $180.

Food and Drink

Eating plenty of Korean food will test how much you really like spicy food, but it won’t test your budget. The local cuisine is usually cheaper than Western fare and some would say much healthier. The same kind of Korean dish ordered in Seoul might be 3 or 4 times more expensive in London. Drinking? Pre-party with soju, a bottle that might cost over $10 in your average sized US city should be around $2 in the capitol of South Korea. You’ll regret not at least trying some soju or the hard to find in the West makgeolli at these prices! A decent meal of Korean BBQ should be $8 to $15 depending on the place you choose.

Shopping and Entertainment

Head to Myeong Dong for deals in clothing, accessories and makeup. It is known by Japanese as a place to travel to for decent prices. Some of the newest fashions in Asia start from this area. Singing in a karaoke room with 2 or 3 friends should cost W10,000-20,000 for an hour. A movie ticket should cost about 7 or 8 USD. If Myeong Dong or Hongdae is far, chances are the taxi won’t be expensive to get there. It shouldn’t cost over W20,000 to travel halfway across the city unless it is rush hour.

Medical Care

Medical tourism is growing in Seoul. One’s health comes first! You could just go for a teeth cleaning (called scaling in Korean) that should be W40,000 to W80,000. This seems cheaper than England or the USA but Thailand is probably better for a dental trip. Dermatology visits are also quite cheap in Korea, even without health insurance.

When it comes to surgery in Korea, it is not advised unless you have a personal recommendation. You should be able to find good physical therapy after orthopaedic surgery. Many PT places in Seoul have oxygen chambers, laser treatment and good PT programs to put you through.

Going to the doctor for many common ailments should cost less than $20 USD total, medicine included, if you end up living in South Korea and get health insurance. Such trips could cost 5 times that in the USA.

Living in Seoul

If you had a great trip to Seoul and decided to live there, or if you’ve just known it all along, a job in the city will naturally be a top priority. If you want to live in a lively area like Hongdae, a salary of W30,000,000 a year after taxes is recommended on the low side. Compared to Hongdae, the cost of living is lower in Itaewon and higher in Gangnam. W60m would do you just fine and W100m would allow you to live very well… relatively! These numbers are roughly equivalent for what it would take in average American cities. However, the argument can easily be made that Seoul surpasses mid-level American cities in most respects.

One should find Seoul quite reasonable to travel to or live in. You should be able to get good value for your money and have a blast, too. Money isn’t everything! As long as you set aside a decent budget, money shouldn’t be much of a concern in Seoul.

Club Answer

This place has welcomed will.i.am up to the booth and R&B singer Neyo has dropped in. So, yes, this place is well known and considered one of the best clubs in the country, let alone Gangnam. Mostly progressive and electro is played here. One of the most popular TV variety shows to ever air in South Korea, Muhan Dojeon / Infinite Challenge, filmed a singles party event at the club a few years ago.

How to get to the club : It’s on Dosan-daero across from the Prima Hotel. The closest subway exit is exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on line 7, it is north / northwest from this exit.

Octagon

I think this place would qualify as insane. Lots of EDM and eye candy for all here. Paul Van Dyk to local DJ Koo. Slightly random things like a Maxim UFC party and welcoming DJ Jesse Valentino from Ireland, it’s kept interesting. Where the big names come. There happens to be a first rate dining room here as well.

How to get to Octagon : It’s in the basement of the New Hilltop Hotel between Hak-dong Station and Yeoksam Station, north of Cha Byeongwon Sageori.

Ellui

If you’ve tried out one of the first two clubs and had fun then Ellui won’t disappoint. This place offers up more beautiful people and plenty of techno and tech house to keep you going. A massive club so you can wander around for some variety. Ferry Corsten, Gareth Emery and noise controllers are just a sampling of guests that have been here. Big names may push the cover charge up to W50,000. This place is sweet and definitely one of the best clubs in Gangnam.

How to get to Club Ellui : It’s between the Yeongdong Bridge and Cheongdam Station. If the taxi driver can’t find it, try Ellui Hotel ( ell lou ee ) at Cheongdam-dong 129.

Party as late as you are able, Seoul is safe even late night compared to most major cities in the world. So dance all night!

A lower intermediate level of Korean is recommended, most of the pages and info will be in Korean but assuming you know what you want to buy you can get through and deal mostly with the straight numbers and dollar signs. Plenty of the employees at the office you might walk in to have MBAs, if you plan on getting your MBA in Korea you could use signing up for an account as an opportunity to network as well.

I signed up for an account at Samsung POP (삼성증권), formerly Samsung fn. The branch I went to in Gangnam-gu just wanted my passport and W100,000. Please note that requirements for signup including the kinds of ID/visa required and minimum deposit will vary by branch, not just by company. Take some time to try a 2nd or 3rd branch if you can’t signup at the first place you walk in to.  You should only need to go in person once, then of course you can handle everything online after that. Their local number is 1588-3305, but you are best off just finding one in your part of the city and going on foot.

Here is a map for the branches in Gangnam, this is where you will have the highest likelihood of being accepted as a customer and also for finding someone who speaks English. My Korean was quite poor at the time and noone spoke English there yet I still got through it, so no need to be discouraged.

View Larger Map

Regardless of which broker you go with, you should find the fees and commissions to be less than in Europe and North America. I’ve always thought the West overcharged for a trade. Finding out how to trade in South Korea can open up a whole new range of trading choices for you when you feel constrained by your own local markets.

A couple others who you can check in to :

E Trade Korea Plenty of links at the bottom right of this page to get you started.

Daewoo Direct

Most MBA programs can be completed within two years or less. This is done by attending a Korea university business school on a fulltime basis. Fulltime attendance may not be acceptable for everyone, so there are some schools that provide part time programs. Daytime and evening courses are another option to ensure that you can get started.

Employers are always looking for the perfect candidate for their company. If you get an MBA in Seoul it shows diversity on your part. If you were not able to master the language, you have more international experience dealing with foreign cultures than someone else. This increases your chances and eliminates the competition. Companies want the best and getting your training will help you to convey your talent.

Many courses that you can study from include business management, finance, business healthcare, and international business. You are not limited in what you want to learn. The class sizes are small enough to induce learning and create interest. The SNU Global MBA program is one of the best in the country. Seoul National University is located on the southern edge of a huge, exciting city. You can study all day, party in nearby Gangnam at night, and visit some of the places that were included in the Seoul Olympics on the weekend. Or head to one of the museums in Seoul and walk around the restored palaces. The National Museum of Korea has some neat calligraphy. If you’re not big on the traditional site seeing thing but would regret leaving Korea with your MBA but not some travel photos, use a 1 day itinerary and make it quick.

Another opportunity for students that do not wish to apply directly to a school but can increase their chances of studying abroad is an exchange program. This allows you to pick the school you most want to attend to complete your studies. You can also decide on the location. Most students can spend a school year learning about the culture of Korea within the country or decide to stay for only a semester. The cost of the program will be determined when you apply.

Business school acceptance is not an easy process. There are students vying for positions at countries all over the world. You can increase your chance of career success by studying abroad in Korea at many of their top business schools. The ability to learn about another culture while earning your graduate degree cannot compare to a national degree. Many find the experiences that they gained were well worth the trip.

If you want to discover if attending a graduate program in Seoul, Korea is for you then you need to read up on Korean MBA facts and info and find out what they expect of students that they accept into their programs. You want to understand the costs and any other fees that may not be included in education costs. Travel and sightseeing trips will cost additional money that you will need to bring with you as well as a passport and other documents. Do not wait to get started as they must limit the number of students they can accept into the program, and each program of course has application deadlines. Don’t wait, apply soon!

KUBS Facts

• Top 100 G-MBA Program in the world – Financial Times  - FT Global MBA Rankings
• Provides lectures and course materials on iTunes U
• The first business school established in Korea – over 36,000 alumni including former president Lee Myung Bak.
• International applicants are required to provide a bank statement showing holdings of at least $40,000. Steep.
• AACSB Accredited

 SNU Business School Facts

• The Global MBA program is entirely in English, while the Executive program is for Korean nationals only
• AACSB Accredited
• Alliance with Fuqua Business School of Duke University – dual degree program optional
• Faculty have also taught at MIT, NYU and London Business School among others

Asiana Founding – Competition Fosters Growth 

Formed by Kumho Group and originally known as Seoul Air International, regular domestic flights to Busan from it’s hub at Gimpo Airport began in 1988. Asiana Airlines was founded to be a direct competitor to Korean Air. The company has come a long way from it’s domestic only service. It now has over almost 10,000 employees, most working out of it’s headquarters in Asiana Town, Seoul. A fleet of over 80 serves over 100 destinations worldwide. While still not measuring up to it’s rival, it sports a fleet of over 80 including more than 10 Boeing 777s. Asiana also ordered six Airbus A380s, to be in service in 2014.

Asiana Boeing 777 In Flight

Airmiles Rewards Program

The world’s largest network of international airlines, the Star Alliance welcomed Asiana Airlines into the fold over 10 years ago. The Alliance offers a popular Around the World pass, with 3 to 15 stopovers allowed across the globe at a reasonable price. Star Alliance Gold status, awarded to frequent flyers, includes a wide range of priority benefits as well as additional luggage check-in. Access to the airport lounge can be expected and eases the toll international trips can take on the body. Other Star Alliance members include Lufthansa, United and Turkish Airlines.

South Korea’s Rapidly Expanding International Air Traffic

Incheon has a prime location for a air cargo hub, placed right in between two of the world’s top economies: China and Japan. Couple that with the nation’s own world-renowned economic expansion in the last few decades and helps explain why international air traffic rose 12%. Asiana Airlines is also adding flights into Southeast Asia. Routes to Rangoon, Jakarta and Bali are all due to be added this year. Overshadowed by it’s hulking older brother, there yet remains room to grow for the younger sibling.

Buyers from internationally known companies such as Tesco and Carrefour will be present, as well as domestic food powerhouse Han Nam Chain. Plenty of domestic buyers will be present as well, and they will hold a Domestic Buyer’s Meeting as they do every year. It is a great opportunity to network and break in to the Asian food industry.

Unfortunately there is no Barista Championship like there was last year, but surely you’ll find something that will whet your appetite at the Global Food Plaza. At the over 10 food pavilions you’ll find exhibits ranging from food machinery to traditional foods including rice cakes and kimchi. Seoul International Culinary Academy will also have an exhibit, where you can find out more about enrolling as a student part or full time.

Kintex is a newer expo, one of the largest in Asia and with a modern design. It is an excellent location for this kind of event, with many halls and plenty of space in the oft cramped Seoul metro area. LaFesta is the best spot to hang out in Ilsan after you have seen all the exhibits. It’s an outdoor mall with plenty of places to eat and drink as well. Find it outside exit 2 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway Line 3.

For more info : Official Seoul Food Website

It may be tough if you can’t speak Korean fluently, but don’t give up so quick! South Korea has a thriving economy, it has a growing media industry as well as a well established English education system. The country is in the top 10 in both importing and exporting. Surely there is a job out there for you! Where to begin?

• Check with the embassy for your country in Korea. Government offices often employ a large percent of local citizens, but usually some with special skills are hired from your country. Or you can try to get a government job in foreign relations and get placed in Korea eventually. The Australian Government Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for example, has a section of their website dedicated to job seekers. It may be more difficult for Americans because so many family members of the military get preference, but it does not hurt to try. Government jobs the world over are known for their excellent benefits even if they don’t pay relatively as well as the public sector, so give it a shot.
• Seek out companies based in your home country that do extensive business in Korea. From a giant corporation like Coca-Cola to that small company in your region that exports carpet to Korea, you’ll need to brainstorm a bit and think of who does lots of importing and exporting with Korea. Companies based in your home country are recommended : they will have an office culture you are familiar with and probably shorter hours with less after work drinking sessions than their Korean counterparts! If you’re not sure about which company’s website to go directly to, check out the next bullet point.
• Find job sites that are specialized for the Korean market. If your Korean isn’t up to par yet, check out JobKoreaUSA. Much of the site and many of the listings are in English. Make note of all the companies posting there, if you can’t find something through this job board go to the websites of the companies directly. If you are more proficient in Korean, go to SaramIn. It is more comprehensive than the previous site but all in Hangeul.
• Go to the Korean company sites directly. Samsung, LG, SK, Daewoo… the list goes on. A chaebol like Hyundai does more than make cars! They are involved in everything from construction to finance to steel, and hire all kinds of experts. An engineering degree would be the best way to get your foot in the door for a non-teaching job in Korea. But the economy is so diverse that you’ll find a profession that matches your background and expertise if you look hard enough!
• Networking maybe be your best bet to finding gainful employment in Seoul. A professional social networking site like LinkedIn can be used very well as an international job search tool. More and more Koreans use this site every day, just like Facebook! Search for groups on LinkedIn with the keyword ‘Seoul’ and maybe another keyword or two related to your job search. I recommend the group Business Events – Seoul. Take an active part in their discussions, and go to some of the events they have scheduled. Make sure you dress sharply, business attire in Seoul can be more formal than some countries. Outward appearance is more important in this culture than many in the West, for better or worse.

Your job search should be an exciting chance to explore the professional possibilities out there for you. Don’t get discouraged by just a few initial rejections. Seoul, like many big cities, are rightly viewed as places of opportunity. Best of luck!

While not overly fancy, you’ll notice right away that the Ibis is clean and newer. The rooms are definitely on the small side, but you are moments away from plenty of places where you can shop til your heart’s content. Shinsegae Department store is just down to the south on the same street. Lotte Department Store and a Lotte Cinema are right across the street from the hotel. Looking for something more fun? Go down into the underground market, an entrance is right in front of your hotel.

But best of all is Migliore Square, a giant discount shopping mall. Hugely popular with Japanese visitors looking for cheaper cosmetics than those in their home country, you’ll also find the latest in Asian fashion here. Head out exit 5 of Myeong-Dong Station to find Migliore and Noon Square. This is just a few minutes walk south from the hotel. If you are shopped out Myeong Dong Cathedral and Deoksugung Palace are within walking distance as well. There are plenty of things to do and see in the area, just ask the staff. Namdaemun Market, a huge outdoor shopping area where you can exchange your currency on the grey market with elderly Korean women at a decent rate, is also under a 15 minute walk away to the southwest.

The hotel itself is a good value, both business travelers and tourists will appreciate the central location and free wifi. There is also a small sauna and gym you can make use of on the premises.

Need to get to the hotel from the airport? Catching a ride on the bus is easy. Bus number 6015 runs every 25 minutes and is just W10,000. It will drop you off right by the hotel! The location is hard to beat.

Ibis Hotels Official Site

Korean cuisine is known to be one of the most delicious in the whole world and there are millions of tourists that can attest to this. But the best way to enjoy Korean street food is by visiting Seoul and sampling these five must-try dishes –

Tteokbokki

This is an incredible dish in South Korea and can be easily found in every street food cart in the city of Seoul. Every vendor has its own unique secret ingredient to boost which makes each bowl unique and a source of new experience each time. Often served in paper bowls, the Ttekbokki is a famous rice cake stew that is cooked with red hot chilis and onions. These give the dish its instantly recognizable orange color. This used to be an exclusive dish that was served in royal courts but, these days, it is one of the best street foods at the heart of Seoul.

Odeng

Apart from the Tteokbokki stew, this is considered by many as one of the most popular street foods as well. Though simple, its palatability makes up for its plainness. This is a dish that is made of fish and wheat flour which are mixed into a thick paste. Seasoned with several herbs and spices; then skewered and boiled right into a special broth, this is quite tasteful. These fish cakes are also prepared differently by each street vendor in Korea. Again, each vendor boasts of a secret ingredient which makes him better than his competition.

Odeng is also served on a paper bowl that is full of broth. To eat it, just drink, dip, and with your glass of soju (a Korean alcoholic beverage), you would feel like you are in street food heaven!

Sundae

This is probably one of the oldest Korean street foods among this batch. There are dozens of varieties throughout the country, with its name often misconstrued as that creamy dessert.

The most common Sundae is the Pojangmachas’ pig intestine sausage stuffed with pork blood, cellophane noodles, onions and garlic. This dish is steamed and served using paper cups. If you want to spice up your day in Korea, then you should try this dish together with the Tteobokki sauce.

Kimbap

At first glance, it looks much like sushi but this dish offers a unique taste bud experience of its own. If sushi is considered as a classy dish, kimbap is more of a Korean fast food product. Instead of the usual fish, this light snack is made of veggies such as cucumber, carrots, pickled radish and meats such as sausages, beef, ham or crab sticks.

Sundubu Jigae

This is a very spicy dish that is also widely available in the streets of Korea. Because of its spiciness, Sundubu is quite popular during the cold seasons. This is soup that’s made with seafood (oysters or shrimp), uncurdled tofu, veggies, chili peppers and mushrooms – a real treat for those who love spicy, veggie dishes!

About the Author: Laura is a writer for My Food, the number one delivery diet provider in the UK.

1 – The Culture of Kimchi

Kimchi is basically sliced cabbage fermented with chili sauce and anchovy paste. Koreans love to eat this with all their meals. Usually they have it on a side or on some occasions use it as an ingredient in some of their dishes. It has therefore become a major symbol of the Korean culture. Due to its characteristic, defiant and strong nature a lot of foreigners find it hard to consume. You’ll however earn the local’s great respect if you manage to stomach it somehow.

2 – Keep the Shoes Out

When you are entering a Korean house, doing anything less than removing your shoes is considered a sign of great disrespect. The Korean’s relationship with the floor is very special to them. They often sit and sleep on the floor. A dirty floor is not something that the Koreans would tolerate. They consider most westerners savages for being shod in their own living space.

3 – Booze Culture

Soju is a drink very much similar to Vodka and it is their national booze. Soju is usually served with food in shot glasses. Koreans can be pretty noisy when they are drinking. They clink their glasses and shout geonbae! (cheers) and one shot-uh!.

The karaoke rooms in Korea are called norae bang, from where you can see men coming out of at night. Then they start crawling the streets laughing, singing and arguing. Make sure you avoid the red vomit puddles on the road which they oddly enough call kimchi flowers.

The Koreans have strong customs surrounding drinking. One custom is that one should never pour your own drink and that you should keep one hand on heart when pouring a drink for an older person as a sign of respect.

4 – Rice

Just like Japanese and some other Asian countries, Koreans have rice in almost all their meals. Thus shaping the most common greeting in their culture ‘Bap meogeosseoyo?’, which means “Have you eaten rice?”.

Unlike the Japanese way, Koreans prefer to eat their food with a spoon and they are careful not to raise the rice bowl off the table. They are also careful not to leave chopsticks sticking out of the rice bowls because that resembles their custom of offering food to the dead.

5 – Smiling

As warm and generous the Koreans are, their smiles are sometimes rare in public. Sometimes the streets of the Peninsula are a sea of scowls with most of them with their stern faces. The children however are as all other children. You would find them grinning and laughing while on the road shouting “Hello! Hello!”.

About the Author: Melissa Welsh is a content writer and a blogger as well. At the moment she is writing about flights to the Maldives travel and destinations.