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Studying in Korea: Top 5 Things Parents Worry About Most (and How to Prepare)

  Studying in Korea: What Parents Worry About the Most Korea is no longer just a travel destination. With the global rise of K-POP , Korean dramas , cutting-edge technology, and a reputation for rapid growth, the country has become one of the world’s most attractive study abroad destinations. As of 2025, the number of international students in Korea has surpassed 270,000. For students, this journey is exciting. For parents, however, it is filled with worries and unanswered questions. Studying in Korea is both an opportunity and a challenge—and behind every decision are parents who stay awake at night wondering if their child will truly be safe, happy, and successful. 1. Safety and Health – Parents’ Number One Concern The first question that comes to mind for most parents is simple: “Will my child be safe in Korea?” Is it safe for them to return home late at night? What if they become victims of crime or accidents? How will they cope with sudden illness or emergencies when pa...

Is South Korea Really That Safe? The Areas in Seoul and Busan You Might Want to Avoid at Night

 When travelers search for information about South Korea, one of the first questions that often comes up is: “Is it safe?” If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Seoul or Busan , you probably noticed how different the atmosphere feels compared to big cities in the United States or Europe. Walking alone at midnight, riding the subway late at night, or even leaving your laptop in a café while you go to the restroom—things that might seem unthinkable elsewhere—are surprisingly normal here. Still, just because South Korea is statistically one of the safest countries in the world doesn’t mean every street or alley is equally welcoming, especially after dark. Think of it like this: even in New York , Tokyo , or Paris , you wouldn’t wander into certain neighborhoods at 3 a.m. without a second thought. South Korea has a few of those corners too—not dangerous in the “gangs and guns” sense, but places where a mix of alcohol, nightlife, or simply a lack of streetlights can make a traveler ...

Can You Drink Tap Water in South Korea? A Traveler’s Honest Guide

 When you’re traveling abroad, one of the first practical questions that comes to mind is simple but important: “Can I drink the tap water here?” If you’re planning a trip to South Korea , you might have already searched this exact phrase. And chances are, you’ve stumbled across mixed answers. Some guides say yes, others recommend sticking to bottled water, and then there are those confusing stories about “red water” incidents in Incheon a few years back. As someone who has lived in Korea and also guided countless travelers, I want to clear up the confusion and give you a real, experience-based answer. Let’s dive in. The Short Answer: Yes, Korean Tap Water Is Safe South Korea’s tap water meets — and often exceeds — international standards, including the WHO (World Health Organization) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . In fact, Korean water authorities test for 60+ mandatory items nationwide , and in cities like Seoul , the number of tests goes beyond 350 different ...

5 Timeless Hanok Villages in Korea for a Winter Getaway

Escape the city noise and step into the serene embrace of Korea’s hanok villages this winter. Discover five traditional stays where culture, history, and silence meet. When winter falls in Korea , it brings more than just snowflakes — it brings quiet. A hush that covers rooftops, streets, and even the hearts of those wandering through the cold. For some, that’s the perfect time to travel — not to the bustling cities, but to somewhere older, quieter, and deeply Korean. That’s where hanok villages come in. These aren’t museums, nor are they built for show. They are living, breathing spaces — some dating back hundreds of years — where tiled roofs cradle snow and wooden floors remember the warmth of a family meal. And if you’re looking to feel Korea’s soul beyond K-pop and neon lights , you might find it in the creak of a wooden door in one of these villages. Let’s take you through five of the most atmospheric hanok destinations — not just places to visit, but places to stay, reflect, a...

Can You Stay in a Korean Guesthouse with a Toddler? A Real Family’s Budget Travel Guide

Planning a family trip to Korea with your toddler? Learn how other parents successfully stayed in guesthouses—budget-friendly, safe, and toddler-approved. “Wait… you're traveling to Korea with a 3-year-old and staying in guesthouses?” We heard this a lot. Maybe you're asking yourself the same thing as you plan your family adventure. And we get it—traveling with toddlers means less flexibility, more planning, and a whole lot of sleep negotiations. But here's the truth: guesthouses in Korea can actually be a perfect choice for family travelers—if you know what to look for. Why We Chose Guesthouses for Our Family Trip to Korea Before becoming parents, we backpacked across continents and stayed in 40-bed dorms without hesitation. With a toddler? No chance. Suddenly, comfort, quiet, and cleanliness became priorities. But we were also traveling Korea for 4 weeks. Booking hotels every night? Not in our budget. We wondered: Are private guesthouse rooms in Korea family-friendly, saf...

Can You Travel in South Korea Without Speaking Korean or English? Here’s What I Learned

 When I first started planning my trip to South Korea, one question kept nagging at me: How would I survive without speaking Korean—or even English fluently? I was planning this adventure with my family, none of us bilingual, and I couldn’t help but worry. Would we be able to ask for directions? Order food? Check into a hotel without awkward stares or misunderstandings? Turns out, we weren’t alone in wondering this. Many travelers—especially from French-speaking countries like mine—face the same fear: “Can I travel in Korea without speaking Korean or English?” So let me reassure you right away: yes, you can. And you might be surprised at how much fun you’ll have doing it. 📱 Your Best Friend: Papago, Not Google Translate Before the trip, someone recommended I download Papago , a Korean-made translation app. I didn’t expect much—but wow. It’s built specifically for Korean, and honestly, it outperforms Google Translate, especially when it comes to casual phrases and signs. We used...