BEFORE ARRIVING AT SMU

GETTING A VISA

1. Notice

• Make sure your passport is valid throughout the duration of your stay.
• If you do not have a passport, make one before you apply for your visa.

2. How do I apply for a student visa

• Step1. After the admission registration, you need to apply for a student visa in order to stay in Korea.
• Step2. Screening documents by SMU international student advisor 
  The SMU int’l student advisor will screen your submitted documents according to the Immigration policy of the Republic of Korea.
• Step3. SMU will issue and send certificate of admission (acceptance letter) and other necessary visa issuance documents by EMS. 
  These documents will be sent by EMS to your current mailing address as written on your application form. You will receive EMS shipment number by personal e-mail.
• Step4. Contact the Korean Consulate nearest you 
  After receiving the documents, you must contact a Korean Consulate by phone, and re-confirm the required documents. After contacting the Korean consulate, submit the documents by visiting the Korean Consulate, which will in turn issue a student visa on your passport.

3.How can I find the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in my country?

www.mofat.go.kr → Click English → Scroll down/you will see Korean Mission Overseas → Select the continent → Select countries → Go to the home page Click introduction → about us

4. For more information visit

Immigration web-site: www.hikorea.go.kr

5. Chinese Students (undergraduate)

For Chinese students, the visa issuance method is different

• Step1. After screening documents by the SMU int’l student advisor, it will be sent to Cheong Ju Immigration Office.
• Step2. Cheong Ju Immigration office will review the submitted documents and then give a visa issuance no. to SMU.
• Step2. SMU will send the visa issuance number to students who must contact the Embassy.

SMU ACADEMIC CALENDAR

ACADEMIC YEAR

ACCOMMODATION

There are two dormitories available for international students at Semyung University

1. Living Conditions

• Furnishings include beds, desks, bookshelves and closets in each room
• Facilities: shower stalls, latrines, laundry room, lounge(cooking facilities are not available in regular dorms)
• Cheong Pung Hak Sa has a kitchen where students can prepare their meals if they want.

2. Temporary Dormitory Stay

Students will be assigned temporary dormitories during the orientation. After finishing the orientation, students will move into their permanent dorm rooms for the duration of semester.

HEALTH INSURANCE OR TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a requirement for all international students to purchase travel insurance which can cover accidents or injuries while in Korea. For exchange and visiting students, you should get health insurance from your country. If you cannot find one, you should get one in Korea that has a non-refundable 12month coverage for US$120. For fresh men and transferred students we strongly recommend getting a health insurance from either the Korean government or a major insurance company. IAO will provide further details on insurance policy during the orientation.

CHECK LIST

• Valid passport?
• Valid student visa from Embassy Republic of Korea?
• Inform about the flight schedule to Korea?
• Dormitory selected?
• Original copies of degree verification documents sent to Yujin Shim at syj81@semyung.ac.kr.

WHAT TO BRING

1. Electronic Appliances / laptop

The standard voltage for electrical items in Korea is 220V(60hz). Electrical plugs have two round pins. Upon arrival you may need to buy an adaptor or have the plugs changed. The use of laptops is an everyday necessity at SMU. There are available wireless internet connections in most buildings excluding the student residence halls. Most homework, notices, and many courses are done through Semyung intranet. There are available PCs in each building but they may not be available at all times.

2. Portrait Photos (if not submitted) You will need them upon your initial arrival.

The required dimensions are 3x4 cm (atleast4photos). Photos are necessary to make an Alien Registration Card, Student Data base file, Student ID card, etc.

3. Doctor’s Report or Prescribed Medication

Because Korea has different names for medication or may not allow certain medications, if you are receiving any medical treatment or have a history of any serious illness ,please bring a doctor’s report written in English detailing the illness, prescribed medication, and any future treatments. Furthermore, If you require a certain medication you should bring enough to last your stay in SMU.

4. Korean Money (Won)

Korea does not use USD or any other foreign currency. Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport you can exchange foreign currency to Korean Won at Airport banks.
(Most transactions at the airport and all public shops, transportation, and services are done in Won.)

→ Use of Credit Card from outside Korea Credit cards issued in other countries are accepted throughout Korea. Upon arrival at SMU, the Int’l office advisor will help you open a bank account and create a debit card.

＊Accepts VISA, MASTERCARD
Debit cards issued from outside Korea can only be used in specific GLOBAL ATMs and will have a small usage fee. Only Shinhan Bank, located in downtown, Jecheon, has an ATM accepting international credit cards. In order to withdraw money, visit the place. IAO will provide further details on the location during the orientation.

5. Your Budget

It is essential to have a practical budget plan for your time in SMU. You will have to have approximately 450,000KRW (US$400) for the first month in SMU. You may not be able to withdraw money or receive money easily for the first few weeks in SMU, so we recommend having a certain amount of cash on hand. The necessary fees can be broken down as follows:

• Travel expenses ……………………………………………………………………………………approx.100,000 KRW
• Textbooks, notebooks, pens/pencil ……………………………………………………approx.150,000 KRW
• Bath towel, bed sheet, pillow case ………………………………………………………… approx.100.000 KRW
• Toiletries …………………………………………………………………………………………………40,000 KRW
• Others ……………………………………………………………………………………………………60,000 KRW

6. Blankets, Pillows & Other Bedding

Please note that SMU dormitories do not provide blankets, pillows, or extra mattresses(1mattress per student provided). Please pack a blanket or buy it in Korea. Blankets cost approx.50,000~70,000won($45~65).

7. Clothes

Korea has four seasons. Students at SMU dress casually, but we recommend bringing formal attire/suit for special events. You may also bring a national costume for cultural events.

• What to bring
  • Electronic Appliances
  • Laptop
  • Portrait Photos 4 (pieces)
  • Doctor’s Report or Prescribed Medication
  • Korean Money (cash)/Credit Card
  • Blankets, Pillows & Other bedding
  • Clothes (casual, attire/suit/a traditional clothing/ )
  • LAN Cable (available at SMU store)
  • International Phone Card

AFTER ARRIVING AT SMU

ORIENTATION ASSIGNMENTS

The Int’l student advisor will inform you about dorm location and room no. before your arrival for orientation.

Pick Up

Int’l office staff will only pick a group of students (at least 4pax) up at the Incheon International Airport on the arranged date. If anyone comes another day, you should come to Semyung University by yourself. The bus schedule and other information is referred at <Ⅳ. CAMPUS ARRIVAL>

ORIENTATION REGISTRATION

Registration will take place as follows:
Date & Time: a week before the semester starts
Location: International Affairs Office , Munhwakwan no.303

Please bring the following to the International Education Center, Munhwakwan no.303

• 4 Portrait Photos
  (with white background / write-down name on back side of photo)
• Passport (will be kept by IEC)
• Information : e-mail, home address, phone no.

CAMPUS ARRIVAL

1. Weekend Arrivals (Sunday)

When you arrive on campus please go directly to your dorm. If the room is locked, please go to the dorm administration office located on the 1st floor of each dormitory. The dorm administration office will be open during the weekend, from7:00am~11:00pm for each dormitory.

• The Office of International Affairs will not be opened on weekends.
  Please register at OIA on Monday.
  Office hour : 9:00 ~18:00 | Lunchbreak :12:00~13:00
• Please contact your parents by email from the computer room and let them know that you have arrived safely at Semyung University. Each dorm has a computer room.
• Meals: During the break or on weekends only the student cafeteria will be open. Meal times are: (breakfast 7:30~8:30, lunch 12:00~13:00, dinner 17:00~18:30)

2. Weekday Arrivals

When you arrive please go directly to the international affairs office, the Monhwakwan 303 . The office will be opened from 9:00~18:00. (located at Main Munhwakwan Building 3rd floor). Please bring the following documents: Passport, Portrait photo and Alien Registration Card if students have one)

• After visiting the International Affairs Office, a staff member will guide you to campus life and give a short orientation

3. How to get to Jecheon from Incheon International Airprot

4. How to take a bus in Jecheon

• Go to ‘CU’, a convenience store located right behind the back gate of Semyung University
• Buy a bus card (cost from 5,000won to 10,000won), and deposit money on it.
• Bus fare in Jecheon : 1,200won in cash / 1100won in bus card
• Bus no. to come to Semyung University is no. 31 (no. 51 is possible, but it will take you to the main gate which is much further from the dormitories)

Contact for further help

• Phone : +82 43-649-1185,1187
• Email : syj81@semyung.ac.kr
• Fax : +82 43-644-7177