A transportation (T-money) card is highly recommended for students who frequently use public transportation. T-money is available for the bus, subway, and taxi, and it can be purchased at convenience stores or subway stations.

The Seoul subway has 9 lines, the Gyeongui and Central lines (Railroad), the Bundang line, and the Sinbundang line. It provides a convenient transportation at an affordable price. Each line is marked by a specific color and a symbol, and each station has its own number, making it easy for international students to use.

Seoul has 4 different colored buses. Blue buses operate on major roads and run for relatively long distances inside Seoul. Green buses run shorter distances and connect travelers between transfer points, such as subway stations and longer bus routes. Both blue and green buses can be taken in fairly quick intervals. Red buses, or express buses, come approximately every 15 minutes, make fewer stops, and provide commuters with easy access to the neighboring cities. Yellow buses run through tourist spots, shopping, and business areas in downtown Seoul.

• Blue and Green Bus: 1300 won
• Village (small Green) Bus: 900 won
• Yellow Bus: 1200 won
• Red Bus: 2400 won

*Free transfer within 30 minutes between different bus numbers

In various parts of Seoul, there are unmanned rental centers with public rental bicycles called "Ttareungi." Rental centers are available nearby working or living places (e.g., subway entrances, bus stops, housing complexes, government offices, schools, and banks), making it very convenient to access this service. At every point where a rental office is installed, you can rent and return bicycles through the Ttareungi app. See a website for further information: https://www.bikeseoul.com:457/main.do

1. Seoul Metropolitan Government: http://english.seoul.go.kr
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/index.do
3. Korea National Tourism Organization: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr
4. Seoul Tourism Information: http://english.visitseoul.net
5. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: http://www.mcst.go.kr/english

Wi-Fi service is provided to everyone for free in frequently used public places, such as major streets, squares, parks, trails, traditional markets, cultural and sports facilities, tourist attractions, welfare facilities, public facilities, and city buses.

1. urn on the Wi-Fi function in the smartphone wireless network setting and search for nearby Wi-Fi signals.
2. Select and connect SEOUL_Secure or SEOUL SSID.
3. (Security access) ID: Seoul, enter password Seoul, and set no certificate selection (automatically connected anywhere in Seoul after an initial setting).
4. (General Access) Click on the general access button in the center of the general access screen (you need to click on the access button every time when you move to other places). See the website for further information: https://news.seoul.go.kr/gov/seoul_wifi

• 119: Fire & Ambulance
• 112: Police
• 1339: KDCA (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency) Call Center
• 02-120-9: Dasan Seoul Call Center: Foreign Language Helpline Translator
• 1330: Tourism Consulting
• 1345: Immigration

Visit Jinhae city for the Gunhanjie Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the arrival of cherry blossom season. Check out Gyeonghwa Station, or Yeojwacheon Stream for the best cherry blossom views. We also recommend you visit Gyeongju, the historical capital of kingdom of Silla, for the most romantic photo spots during the blooming season. Another major festival that takes place in spring is the Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival, also coinciding with Buddha’s birthday. Usually, people celebrate this traditional festival by visiting one of the many Buddhist temples illuminated with colorful lanterns that symbolically convey the wisdom and compassion of the sage, creating a magnificent sight for visitor’s to behold.

Summer is all about having fun at the beach. Korea is famous for its great variety of beaches stretched out from coastal cities closer to Seoul, like Gangneung and Sokcho, down to the Southern cities, like Busan, and of course the pearl of Korea - Jeju Island. For those who prefer swimming pools to beaches, there are plenty of aqua parks that provide an unforgettable water play experience for visitors. There are also some fun Korean festivals held during the summer season, like the Boryeong Mud Festival, where visitors can enjoy a variety of mud-based activities such as mud-slides, mud pits, and a giant mud bath, as well as the Haeundae Sand Festival, where one can observe a variety of quaint sand sculptures made by world-renowned artists.

Fall season is the time to admire the various colors of autumn foliage. One of the most magnificent locations to witness the beauty of this scene is Mount Seorak. However, if you do not prefer to visit places far from Seoul, there is a no less beautiful Nami Island located closer to the capital. Even in Seoul itself, there are plenty of locations like Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, and Insadong to enjoy picturesque views. Another entertainment option during the fall is the Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon and the Seoul International Fireworks Festival on the Han river where you can enjoy a spectacular show, while having the best picnic with Korean fried chicken and pizza.

When winter season comes, it is time to experience the different sporting activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow sledding at the Jisan Ski Forest, Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort, or Vivaldi Park Ski World. You can also try fishing at the big Hwacheon Sancheon Ice Festival. If you would like to capture the beauty of winter in photos, we suggest that you check out the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival or visit Nami Island again, providing the time to experience one of the scenes from the popular K-dramas.

School life may be tiresome sometimes. Fortunately, our Sogang University is surrounded by various areas great for relaxing or hanging out with friends. Here are some of the recommended places located within 15 minutes from Sogang University:

Located in the Yeouido area, the heart of politics, media, banking, and finance in Seoul, Yeouido Park balances those business scenes with green spaces that serve recreational purposes and bring peace of mind. The park has a large, open area which is popular with bicyclists and skateboarders and breaks into foot paths lined with trees and seasonal flowers.

Han River Park is a system of parks stretched along the lines of Han river. The nearest Han River Park from Sogang University is Mangwon Han River Park, Yanghwa Han River Park, and Yeouido Han River Park, with the last being the most famous one, as it hosts many exciting events happening throughout the year. Students can enjoy biking, walking, running, picnicking, or just appreciate views all year round in these parks.

Hongdae is an abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo (Hongik University) and refers to the neighborhood in close proximity to this university. The Hongdae area is well-known for its youthful ambience, urban arts, indie music culture, local shops, clubs, and entertainment. It is also a widely popular gathering place for many buskers and cover dance performers.

Yeonnam-dong has emerged as the latest hot place in Seoul, an area that is constantly changing and creating new trends. The collection of narrow alleyways and small streets has begun to fill up with unique shops and cafes. It is a great area to have a diverse dining experience from leisure brunches to aesthetic cafes and even fancy wine bars.

Seonyudo Park is located in Seonyudo Island, one of the islands situated on Han River. The park consists of four parks and many walking trails. Translated from Korean to English, it means a “place of scenic beauty”, Seonyudo Park is a much-loved place where students can experience nature and relax with beautiful views of the river. A pedestrian bridge connecting Seonyudo Island to the Yanghwa area is an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful views of the Hangang River, including the World Cup Fountain and World Cup Park.

The Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a long section of land including Yeontral Park and Gyeongui Line Book Street. It is a place where students can enjoy green spaces in the city center. The parks are often filled with young people enjoying drinks and picnicking and it is a perfect place where people can go on walks any time of the day.

Seoullo 7017, also known as the Seoul Skygarden or Skypark, is an elevated, linear park in Seoul, built atop a former highway overpass. There is a variety of facilities along Seoullo 7017, including an information center, cafes, gardens, and stages. Seoullo 7017 is open all day, and this is a nice place for students to enjoy at their leisure.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a huge metropolis with a fascinating blend of past and present, where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways, and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces, and street markets. Keeping a pace with ever changing Seoul is not an easy task, but the constant flow of activity always brings something original to unearth. To truly have a taste of Seoul, we have prepared you a list of some of the recommended areas based on their distinct features and purposes:

- Insadong, Samcheong-dong, Bukcheon Area

- Cheongdam-dong, Hannam-dong

- Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market

- Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangam, Jamsil Station Area

- Itaewon, Yongsan

- Lotte World Towel, N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower), Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village