The Truth About Korean University Dorms: Rules, Costs, and Culture Shocks

The Truth About Korean University Dorms: Rules, Costs, and Culture Shocks

So, you are coming to study in Korea! Congratulations.

The first thing on your checklist is probably accommodation. Most international students immediately apply for the on-campus dormitory, known in Korean as "Gichuksa" (기숙사).

But before you commit to a semester in a Korean dorm, you need to know what you are signing up for. Dorm life here is very different from dorm life in the US or Europe. It is cheaper and safer, but it comes with a unique set of strict rules.

Here is everything you need to know about the Korean dormitory system.

1. The Layout: What Does a Room Look Like?

In Western universities, you might have a single room or a shared apartment style. In Korea, the standard is the Shared Double Room (2-person room).

• Space: Rooms are generally small. You will share a sleeping area and study area with a roommate (usually a stranger assigned by the school).

• Furniture: You get a single bed, a desk, a chair, and a wardrobe. That’s it.

• Bathrooms:

  • Old Dorms: Communal showers and toilets on each floor.

  • New Dorms: A private bathroom inside the room (shared by you and your roommate).

• Kitchens: Most dorms do not have kitchens in the room. You must use a communal kitchen or buy a meal plan for the cafeteria.

2. The Biggest Culture Shocks

A. The Curfew ("Tong-geum")

This is the biggest shock for foreigners. Many Korean dorms have a Curfew.

• The Rule: The doors are locked between a certain time (e.g., 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM).

• The Reality: If you stay out partying until 2 AM, you cannot get back in. You have to stay at a friend's house, a PC Bang, or a karaoke room until the doors open at 5 AM.

• Note: Some universities are abolishing this, but many still keep it strict.

B. Gender Separation

Co-ed dorms (men and women on the same floor) are extremely rare.

• Buildings: Often, men and women live in completely separate buildings.

• No Guests: You are strictly forbidden from bringing guests of the opposite gender into your room. Even bringing a same-gender friend from another building is often against the rules.

C. The "Point System" (Penalty Points)

Korean dorms run on a demerit system. You receive penalty points for breaking rules.

• Examples: Missing curfew, making noise, having a messy room, drinking alcohol in the room.

• Consequence: If you accumulate too many points, you will be evicted and banned from applying next semester.

3. The Price: Why Students Choose Dorms

Despite the strict rules, students apply for dorms for one reason: Cost.

Dorms are heavily subsidized.

• Average Cost: Approx. 1.2 million ~ 1.8 million KRW ($900 - $1,350 USD) per semester (4 months).

• Monthly breakdown: roughly $300 - $400 USD per month.

• Note: You usually have to pay the entire semester's fee in one lump sum upfront.

4. The Competition: "The Dorm Lottery"

Here is the sad reality: There are not enough beds.

Universities in Seoul have limited space. Dorm spots are assigned via a "Lottery System."

• The Stress: You might apply and wait weeks for the result, only to find out you didn't get a room just days before your flight.

• The Criteria: Sometimes spots are based on GPA. If your grades drop, you get kicked out next semester.

5. Didn't Get a Dorm? Or Want More Freedom?

If you were rejected from the dorm lottery, or if the idea of a 1 AM curfew sounds like a nightmare, don't worry. You have a better option.

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Dorm vs. LiveAnywhere (Comparison)

Korea is safer and more fun when you have your own space.

If you missed the dorm list, or simply want to live by your own rules, we have verified, fully furnished studios waiting for you near your campus.

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