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What are the benefits of living on-campus?
Overall, more affordable. Dorms in Korea don't often cost more than $2,000 per semester
More support. Most universities have dorms specifically for international students with staff that can speak English
Closer to your classes
Community. You are living with a lot of international students that you can make friends with and explore the city with
What are the benefits of living off-campus?
Less up-front costs as you often pay month-to-month for rent
More immersion
More freedom. Most dorms in Korea have many rules that students must follow (i.e. curfew)
More privacy. Living off-campus you have the option of having a whole apartment to yourself rather than sharing a room/bathroom with someone
Less moving around. If you are studying in South Korea for a year, you are often not guaranteed on-campus housing for the whole year. You must reapply before each semester, and even if you plan on staying during the breaks. And if you get a dorm spot, you often have to move rooms
Types of off-campus housing in Seoul:
Goshiwon/Goshitel/Officetel (고시원/고시텔/오피스텔): Similar to on-campus dorms. You have your own small room that may or may not have a private bathroom, and you share kitchen and laundry with the building. Often includes free ramen, rice, kimchi, etc.
Oneroom (원룸): Korean equivelent to a studio apartment. Has private bathroom and small kitchen with a small fridge, sink, one or two stove burners, and washing machine in addition to your living area
Sharehouse: Both private rooms and shared rooms in a shared apartment
Off-campus housing sites (Note: Use at your own risk):
Enkor Stay: Has both sharehouse and oneroom housing options across Seoul
42Share: Housing between a oneroom and goshiwon with various locations across Seoul near Yonsei University and Ewha Woman's University
Kongstay: Sharehouse housing near Korea University
Yonsei House (Instagram: @yonsei_house): Goshiwon housing near Yonsei University and Ewha Woman's University. Some housing may be more like a oneroom
Airbnb: Private rooms and entire apartments across South Korea. Can be more expensive. Has options for housing outside of Seoul
Goshipages: Has various goshiwon listings across Seoul. Some may be in Korean
Lokahouse: Goshiwon-style housing and onerooms available. Various locations across Seoul
Stayes: Oneroom housing mainly near Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University. Best for staying in Korea for more than a semester as housing requires a large deposit to rent
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