Random Advice

Random tidbits about living in Seoul

• Always be on the lookout for cars and motorcycles zipping through the streets (even when walking on the sidewalk)

• The subway is pretty easy to use if you have a navigation app (I like using Naver maps) (station names are in Korean and English)

• The bus is also pretty easy to use and sometimes is better to take than the subway (depending on where you’re going)

• Always check the weather report before leaving in case you need an umbrella

• Check for signs on the bathroom stall to see if you can flush toilet paper down the toilet. Korea's plumbing system isn't the best and a lot of bathrooms require you to toss toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it down the toilet

• You need to separate your trash into plastic, paper, food, general trash, etc.

• There are also not a lot of trash cans on the street

• Food is WAY CHEAPER compared to Hawaii. My budget for food is $22 a day and I was worried this wouldn’t be enough at first, but prices are definitely lower (I usually spend $5-$10 for lunch or dinner)

• Stores that are everywhere: convenience stores (CU, 7-Eleven, G25), makeup and skincare (Olive Young, Innisfree, Etude House), photo booths, cafe chains (A Twosome Place, Ediya Coffee), Daiso