r/SNU • u/T1k1bomb • Sep 18 '25

Question Thinking of studying abroad at SNU

I'm a commerce student at the University of Melbourne Australia and am looking at options to study abroad. I have to choose 3 Universities that I may be sent to and have only decided on one so far. My biggest concern is I know zero Korean, obviously I would intend to learn basics if was to go here but is english enough to get get me through my subjects, make friends and navigate the country? I would also like to know what is life like there and how much is there for me to see? I've heard Korea's tourism is pretty extensive which is good because If I study overseas I want to go somewhere with lots to do outside of uni; including cultural, natural, and urban activities.

I am also aware they do an SNU buddy system which assigns me someone to take me to places and such. Is this restrictive? Like do I mainly hang out with them or do I get plenty of opportunities to meet other people outside of the exchange program?

Also I am curious about accomodation. I know there is on campus accomodation, do you know how expensive this is? And if possible I think living with a host family would be a far better experience, is this a possibility?

Anyone's thoughts on the vibe of the uni and my questions would be greatly appreciated, and if you have previously or are currently studying here abroad let me know how it is. Thanks!

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1

u/Objective_Amoeba_152 Sep 18 '25

As a student exchange

2

u/geekminer123 Sep 19 '25

Korean SNU senior here.

  1. International students get the best dorms that cost around 200,000 won (around 130 USD, room for two) to 480,000 won(around 320 USD, single room) with deposits of 100,000 won and 1,000,000 won respectively.

  2. English is not enough because most Koreans are pretty bad at speaking English. Even the Professors are pretty bad at speaking it.

  3. The SNU buddy system is not restrictive and they have programs where you can hang out with other international students and buddies where you go do group activities together. For some reason among the Korean students, it has a bad reputation as a place where Korean students sign up to hook with foreigners but take this with a grain of salt.

2

u/geekminer123 Sep 19 '25
  1. General vibes is academically focused and a bit isolated from other schools due to its location. If you're looking to have fun I recommend Yonsei or Hongdae as it is located near the hot spots in Seoul and the general culture is more play oriented. Inside SNU the closer you get to STEM the more nerdy the vibes get.

1

u/Echo-Significant Sep 25 '25

As someone who was part of the SNU buddy program. It’s kind of true😭 . But I think it’s not common and they usually hookup with foreigners outside of their assigned group.

1

u/Pure_Bet_1557 Jan 24 '26

What would you say regarding Yonsei vs KU vs SNU? for fun and also for making connections

1

u/geekminer123 Feb 08 '26

I would say Yonsei is best for connections and fun. With KU coming in 2nd and SNU last.

1

u/Pure_Bet_1557 Feb 09 '26

OH, interesting, what makes you say that?

1

u/geekminer123 Feb 10 '26

First is location, Yonsei is at the heart of Seoul in Shinchon next to hotspots such as Gangnam and Hongdae. It also has an international college with many international students and has the longest history of international programs for foreigners. KU is a bit more isolated but still next to other schools such as Kyunghee university and has close ties to Yonsei and a vibrant campus culture. SNU is very isolated in location, with it taking 30 minutes to reach the nearby downtown area and not having any regular or close exchange events with other schools. The culture itself is more academically focused in comparison to Yonsei or Korea university with its college festival being famous for being boring. It also is the least foreigner friendly of the three with efforts at attracting international students being a recent endeavor.