{"id":36925,"date":"2024-05-06T17:32:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T17:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=36925"},"modified":"2025-04-22T07:09:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T07:09:59","slug":"10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things to Know Before Interning in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#Can_Foreigners_Intern_in_Korea\" >Can Foreigners Intern in Korea?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#What_Are_the_Benefits_of_Interning_in_South_Korea\" >What Are the Benefits of Interning in South Korea?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#What_You_Should_Know_About_Interning_in_South_Korea\" >What You Should Know About Interning in South Korea<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#How_Much_Does_an_Intern_Get_Paid_in_Korea\" >How Much Does an Intern Get Paid in Korea?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#Tips_for_Making_the_Most_of_Your_South_Korea_Internship\" >Tips for Making the Most of Your South Korea Internship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/10-things-to-know-before-interning-in-south-korea\/#How_to_Work_Abroad_in_South_Korea\" >How to Work Abroad in South Korea<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interning abroad is one of the best ways to complement your academic experience with real-world, international business exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only will you be able to immerse yourself in a different culture and gain valuable work experience, but you&#8217;ll also dramatically expand both your personal and professional horizons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re considering where you should spend your time, South Korea may have come up in your list of searches. It&#8217;s not hard to see why. This country boasts a dynamic economy, a rich cultural heritage &#8211; and it&#8217;s also at the forefront of business and technological innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you pack your bags and hop on a plane, there are a few key things to know about interning in South Korea.\u00a0 From the language and cultural norms to financial considerations and professional etiquette, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/what-its-like-to-be-an-intern-in-south-korea\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this experience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires careful preparation if you want to enjoy your time there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s dive in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Foreigners_Intern_in_Korea\"><\/span><strong>Can Foreigners Intern in Korea?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The short answer is yes, it&#8217;s entirely feasible, and the number of international internships offered in South Korea continues to grow by the second.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonetheless, navigating the process can be complex, as you&#8217;ll need to secure the appropriate visa, understand labor laws, and potentially address cultural and language barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the best news we&#8217;ll tell you is that interns in South Korea can work on any type of visa &#8211; as long as they are unpaid, of course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Benefits_of_Interning_in_South_Korea\"><\/span><strong>What Are the Benefits of Interning in South Korea?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re thinking about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/the-complete-guide-to-internships-in-south-korea\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an internship in South Korea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, congratulations! You&#8217;re about to embark on an amazing journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Korea&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/discovering-south-korean-culture-internship-journey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">centuries-old culture and traditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> coexist with its modern, high-tech society, offering a multifaceted experience. You\u2019ll have the opportunity to eat delicious food, learn the Korean language, and explore historical landmarks and natural beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, interning in South Korea puts you in the heart of a vibrant business community. You&#8217;ll have the chance to forge relationships with professionals in your field, opening potential doors for future job opportunities and collaborations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living and working in a new country provides an invaluable experience of different work styles, cultural norms, and lifestyle practices. Because of this, you can enhance your global mindset, which is becoming increasingly important in jobs of all kinds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can&#8217;t overlook the exposure to innovation you&#8217;ll get, either. South Korea is a global hub for innovation, particularly in sectors like healthcare, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Interning in this environment can provide front-row access to groundbreaking projects and technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you&#8217;ll boost your soft skills &#8211; we&#8217;re talking cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are just a few of the soft skills that are honed when interning abroad. These skills are highly transferable and can set you apart in a competitive job market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_You_Should_Know_About_Interning_in_South_Korea\"><\/span><strong>What You Should Know About Interning in South Korea<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13080 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"abs-career-development-europe\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe.jpg 600w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abs-career-development-europe-500x500.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting excited? You should be! Interning in South Korea will no doubt be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. Here are a few things to be aware of before you head out on your trip:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Do Your Research<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you commit to an internship in South Korea, take the time to do some extensive research. Understand the type of company or organization you are interning with, the role you will have, and the city where you will be living. This information can help you determine if South Korea is the best fit for your personal and professional goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. You May Want to Learn Korean<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most people you encounter in the workplace may speak some English, making an effort to learn Korean can greatly enhance your experience. It will help you navigate daily life, form deeper connections with locals, and stand out professionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Get Ready to Move<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&#8217;re not talking here about the process of moving to Korea &#8211; working with a partner like Absolute Internship can make that step a bit easier for you &#8211; but instead, about actual <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">movement<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. South Korea is known for being an incredibly fast-paced country where people walk quickly and aren&#8217;t afraid to push you out of their way if you&#8217;re going too slow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Don&#8217;t Be Put Off by the Stares<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Korea is relatively homogeneous, and as a foreigner, you may find that you receive more stars than you&#8217;re used to. Don&#8217;t interpret this negatively &#8211; staring is not considered rude.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Take the Time to Explore Your Neighborhood\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Squeezing every bit of cultural and personal enrichment out of your experience means exploring beyond your office and your temporary housing. Spend some time getting to know your local area, trying new foods, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/3-reasons-to-intern-in-seoul\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visiting local attractions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Create a Budget Before You Go\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Korea tends to have higher prices for groceries, living expenses, transportation, utilities, etc. Create a realistic budget that accounts for these higher costs and stick to it to avoid financial stress during your internship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.\u00a0 Plan for the Weather\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The weather in South Korea can be quite variable, with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Make sure you pack for all seasons, and perhaps invest in appropriate clothing upon arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Respect the Hierarchical System<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korean work culture is known for its strict hierarchy. It&#8217;s important to understand and respect this system, as it can greatly influence your interactions with colleagues and superiors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Don&#8217;t Leave the Office Before Your Boss<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s considered respectful to remain in the office until your superior leaves unless instructed otherwise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Respect Kibun<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This term doesn&#8217;t have a direct English translation, but it encompasses an individual&#8217;s overall mood, feelings, and the balance thereof. It&#8217;s highly respected in Korean society, so be aware of how your actions may affect the &#8220;kibun&#8221; of those around you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Does_an_Intern_Get_Paid_in_Korea\"><\/span><strong>How Much Does an Intern Get Paid in Korea?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intern salaries can vary widely, but you need to go into this experience with realistic expectations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many interns, the primary compensation of an international internship is the experience and connections gained &#8211;\u00a0 rather than the paycheck. The vast majority of interns in Korea are not paid at all, or just paid a modest stipend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_Making_the_Most_of_Your_South_Korea_Internship\"><\/span><strong>Tips for Making the Most of Your South Korea Internship<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An internship in South Korea can be what you make of it. Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of this unique experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Be Proactive:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Don&#8217;t wait for opportunities to come to you \u2013 seek them out. Take on extra tasks, ask for more responsibility, and participate in events and outings to maximize your experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Engage with Colleagues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Forge relationships with your colleagues, both professionally and personally. Your coworkers can be invaluable sources of knowledge, support, and friendship.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Immerse Yourself in the Culture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Take language lessons, participate in local activities, and be open to new experiences. The more you immerse yourself in Korean culture, the richer your experience will be.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep an Open Mind<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Flexibility and adaptability are key when interning abroad. Things will not always go as planned, but being open to change can lead to some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capture the Experience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Document your experiences through photos, a journal, or a blog. Not only will this help you process your time in South Korea, but it will also serve as a powerful memento of your international adventure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Work_Abroad_in_South_Korea\"><\/span><strong>How to Work Abroad in South Korea<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re drawn to the country&#8217;s cutting-edge technology or its vibrant culture and history, interning in South Korea has something for everyone. So why not take the leap and explore all that this dynamic country has to offer? With the right preparation and mindset, your internship in South Korea could be the start of an exciting and successful international career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absolute Internship is ready to help you get where you need to be. Our internships offer all the support and guidance you need for a successful &#8211; and enjoyable &#8211; experience with interning in South Korea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Interning abroad is one of the best ways to complement your academic experience with real-world, international business exposure. Not only will you be able to immerse yourself in a different&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6168,"featured_media":33941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[826],"tags":[833,878,880,325,892],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-36925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-intern-in-south-korea","tag-intern-in-south-korea","tag-internship-in-south-korea","tag-internships-in-south-korea-for-foreigners","tag-summer-internship","tag-summer-internship-in-south-korea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36925\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36925"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=36925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}