IMID Notes

Living in Seoul does not necessarily mean using the subway for every journey. One of the conveniences of living here is having several ways to get around, and in our family, we choose between walking, the subway, buses, and our car depending on where we are going. I am fortunate that my workplace is within walking distance from our home, so I usually walk to work. My husband, on the other hand, drives to work. For longer distances, we often choose between the subway and our car. Sometimes we take a bus, especially when the bus route is more convenient than going by subway. After living in Seoul for many years, choosing how to travel has simply become part of everyday life for us. We usually check the route first and decide which option makes the most sense for that particular journey. Using the Subway in Seoul The subway is an important part of transportation in Seoul, and for longer journeys it can be one of the most practical choices. Once you become familiar with the sys...

Going to a hospital in another country can feel intimidating, especially when you are not familiar with the language, the medical system or even the basic process of seeing a doctor. After living in Korea for many years, going to a clinic or hospital has become a normal part of everyday life for me. Over time, I have learned where to go for different health problems, what happens when I arrive, how prescriptions work and how much of a difference health insurance can make. An examination room at a hospital in Korea. For foreigners who are new to Korea, however, even a simple doctor's visit can bring many questions. Do you need an appointment? What should you bring? Should you go to a neighbourhood clinic or a large hospital? Where do you get your medicine? And what happens if your health insurance is not properly reflected in the hospital system? Here is what the process has been like for my family. For Everyday Illnesses, We Usually Start at a Nei...

If you are raising children in Korea, school quickly becomes an important part of everyday family life. For parents who did not grow up in Korea, however, even ordinary things can feel unfamiliar at first. What happens during the school day? What do children eat? What do they need to bring? And what is the area around the school like? Based on what I have seen as a parent raising children in Korea, here are some everyday aspects of Korean elementary school life that may be useful for families who are new to the system. Starting Elementary School in Korea The Korean school year begins in March , rather than in September as it does in many countries. For first graders, the entrance ceremony marks an important transition into school life. During the first weeks, children gradually become familiar with their classroom, teachers, classmates, and new daily routines. For parents too, there is quite a lot to learn at the beginning. The beginning of a new scho...

Getting a driver's license in Korea as a foreigner may seem complicated at first. There are several tests to pass, unfamiliar traffic rules to learn, and, for many foreigners, the additional challenge of taking the tests in a language that is not their first language. I went through the entire process myself and eventually received my Korean driver's license. Before getting into the details, I should clarify that Korea has several types of driver's licenses. The license I obtained was a Class 2 Ordinary Driver's License (제2종 보통 운전면허) , which is commonly used for driving regular passenger cars. For a Class 2 Ordinary Driver's License, the general process is: Traffic Safety Education → Physical Check-Up → Written Test → Driving Course Test → Learner's Permit → On-Road Driving Test → Driver's License I completed most of the process at the Dobong Driver's License Test Center, which I chose because it was close to where I live. Korea has offic...