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Side Quests In series
Small opportunities, events and tips for international residents in Korea
#expat life
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Side Quests In series
Small opportunities, events and tips for international residents in Korea
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4-day bike expedition to take young riders along border trail
Young people from immigrant backgrounds are being invited to cycle 215 kilometers through Gyeonggi Province’s northern border region as part of a four-day expedition. The Gyeonggi-do Future Generation Foundation is recruiting about 25 participants for the “Hanaro Expeditionary Team,” which will travel the Pyeonghwa Nuri Bike Path from Daemyeong Port in Gimpo to Yeokgodeureum in Yeoncheon from Oct. 5-8. Participants will work in teams to design activities and missions before setting off. Along th
Sept. 1, 2026 - 17:17:45
Upcoming FC Seoul match offers exclusive benefit for foreigners
Seoul Foreign Resident Center will hold an "International Fans' Day" promotion for FC Seoul's Sept. 5 match against Incheon United FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium. International fans can get a supporting-section ticket and a draft beer coupon for 11,000 won. Tickets will be available from 5:30 p.m. on matchday at the "foreigners-only ticket booth" near the North Gate third-floor ticket box. A passport, residence card or international driving permit is required.
Aug. 28, 2026 - 13:09:58
Suwon offers job preparation program for immigrant women
Suwon Migrant Community Service Center will hold a three-day employment preparation program for married immigrant women seeking to understand the Korean job market and develop practical job-seeking skills. Three sessions will be held on Sept. 7, 9 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the center's computer room in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The first session will provide an orientation, employment success stories and an introduction to the Korean work environment. The second session will focus on he
Aug. 27, 2026 - 14:19:43
Learn Korean business terms before starting your own business
Seoul Global Center will offer a free online lecture on practical Korean for people interested in starting a business in Korea. The two-hour session will run from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday via Zoom and is open to participants regardless of location. Led by an instructor specializing in TOPIK and Korean speaking, the program will cover common startup terminology, business Korean and how to introduce and present a business. The lecture is open to anyone, including aspiring entrepreneurs, people with
Aug. 26, 2026 - 17:30:20
Check in on your mental health with this free Seoul program
Yeonnam Global Village Center will offer a free mental health education and screening session for foreign national residents and other center users in Seoul. Led by a psychiatrist, the session will include basic mental health education and screening, with referrals for counseling or other services available if needed. The program will be held Sept. 15 from 10:50 a.m. to noon at the center. Further details will be sent by text message after registration.
Aug. 24, 2026 - 16:58:22
This program helps you understand Korean city information
Ever wished Seoul's Korean-language notices were a little easier to decode? A new program at Seoul Global Center is offering foreign residents and students a chance to practice Korean using the kind of city information they actually need in daily life. The classes will use articles from "Nae Sonane Seoul," which literally means "Seoul in My Hands," the Seoul city government's official communication platform covering city policies, services, events and everyday information. Classes will be held e
Aug. 24, 2026 - 16:57:24
Celebrate Chuseok with new Korean friends in Seoul
A cultural exchange program centered on Chuseok will bring Korean and foreign participants together to experience traditional holiday customs and share stories about celebrations in their home countries. The three-hour program will be held Sept. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Seoul Global Student Support Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. All activities will be conducted in Korean. The program will include a live podcast session with Didi, a YouTuber who produces content on Korean culture, and traditiona
Aug. 24, 2026 - 11:19:47
Don’t panic if you’re in car accident in Seoul
The Seoul Foreign Resident Center has launched a multilingual consultation service for foreign residents seeking help with insurance claims and compensation after car accidents. The center, in partnership with the Traffic Accident Compensation Supervisory Service, will offer in-person consultations every other Wednesday in English, Chinese, Mongolian and Russian. Professional consultants will be available from 10 a.m. to noon on designated days. Reservations by phone are required. Applicants mus
Aug. 19, 2026 - 13:20:02
TOPIK test fee reimbursement offered to foreign residents
The Korea Financial Industry Foundation is offering financial support to foreign residents and young people from immigrant backgrounds who are looking to improve their Korean-language skills. Those who take the Test of Proficiency in Korean, or TOPIK, on or after Jan. 1, 2026, can receive reimbursement of up to 50,000 won ($35) after submitting their score report. The program, jointly run with the Labor Human Rights Center, will support 1,000 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aug. 12, 2026 - 15:34:16
Hanbok models wanted — all ages, pets too
Jongno-gu is recruiting participants for a hanbok showcase featuring children, adults, foreign residents and pets as part of the 2026 Jongno Hanbok Festival, which will take place Sept. 11-12 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The program will invite residents and visitors to take the stage wearing traditional Korean attire. This year, the district has also added a pet category. Applications are open in two categories: a general division and a pet division. The general division is open to K
Aug. 11, 2026 - 13:42:42
Learn office Korean through K-dramas
Seoul’s Seongbuk Global Village Center is offering a Korean language program for foreign residents that uses popular Korean dramas to teach practical Korean and introduce workplace and social culture. The three-session program will feature scenes and conversations from "Misaeng," "Stove League" and "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim." Each class will focus on a different aspect of Korean work and social life. All sessions will be conducted in Korean. The first session will be held Friday, followed by se
Aug. 10, 2026 - 13:27:00
Heat illness? Gyeonggi insurance covers foreign residents
As temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius across the Greater Seoul area, registered foreign residents of Gyeonggi Province may be eligible for insurance payments if they are diagnosed with a heat-related illness. The climate insurance program is fully funded by the provincial government, so residents do not need to enroll or pay premiums. All registered residents of Gyeonggi Province, including foreign residents, are automatically covered regardless of nationality or visa type. Coverage applie
Aug. 7, 2026 - 13:17:08
Yeongdeungpo invites recent arrivals to explore the area
The Yeongdeungpo-gu Family Center is recruiting 20 foreign nationals who recently moved to Korea after marrying a Korean citizen for a free program designed to help them settle into the local community. The three-stage course begins with practical information about using public facilities and following everyday community rules. Participants will then explore Yeongdeungpo on guided tours and take part in a multicultural festival in October. Ten places are available for Chinese-speaking participan
Aug. 5, 2026 - 16:20:32
Climate Card users, claim back your 30,000 won
Foreign residents who have difficulty verifying their registered address can apply manually for a 30,000 won ($21) payback on Seoul’s Climate Card through Aug. 31. The Climate Card is Seoul’s unlimited public transportation pass covering eligible subway and bus routes for a fixed period. To qualify for the payback, applicants must live in an eligible area and have charged and fully used a 30-day pass. Short-term passes and passes refunded before their expiration are not covered. Applicants must
Aug. 5, 2026 - 11:53:55
Before you bring that medicine into Korea
Something considered legal or even harmless in another country can carry serious consequences under South Korean law. The Gangnam Global Village Center is offering a free workshop to help foreign residents understand Korea’s drug laws and avoid unexpected legal risks, such as receiving a package for someone else or bringing certain medicines into the country. The two-hour, activity-based session will explain how Korean law applies to such situations and offer practical guidance on recognizing su
Aug. 3, 2026 - 13:21:55
