Getting around Seoul

Last year when I first arrived in Seoul, I downloaded the following apps to help me get around...


(Photo by diGital Sennin on Unsplash)

Apps to get you around Seoul: City Mapper, Subway Korea, Kakao Taxi and the SFS Vehicle Checkout System

City Mapper is a good way to compare travel time and route options for subway vs. bus vs. driving. It's my "go to" for bus travel.

If you decide to take the subway, "Subway Korea" is your best option.





KakaoT is for taxis.



But let's be honest, even though they were on my phone, it took at least a month to start using them, partially because I was so busy adjusting to a new school, but also because I was too lazy to use them when I could follow people who knew where they were going. So, when you're ready to head out on your own, here are some tutorials.

Here's a quick demo of City Mapper and Subway Korea.

KakaoT
I know many SFS staff use Kakao Taxi (apparently KakaoT now because it includes other types of transport), but I usually stick with my BMW (bus, metro, walk), so I'm not the best person to ask about this service. This vid is from 2017, but apparently there have been some updates, and more of the app is in English. If anyone has a better tutorial (or wants to make one 😍), post the link in the comments, or shoot us an email and we'll swap it out for this one.

How can I check out an SFS Vehicle? 


How do you get around Seoul? If you have any other apps or helpful hints, add a link in the comments or email dlc@seoulforeign.org

If online tutorials aren't for you and you want help in real life, come see a digital learning coach. We would love to help you with this, and to meet you if you are new!

SFS newbies mobile phone and Internet info

SFS Newbies Mobile Phone and Internet Info

Mobile phones are very popular in Korea and many of the teachers purchase them after they arrive. Your mobile phone may work here in Korea if it is UNLOCKED. Phones purchased from carriers in the US such as AT&T or Verizon are normally locked and cannot be used in Korea.

(Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash) 

Bringing your own phone: A new feature in Seoul is a tourist SIM that is available at some of the corner stores. You will need your passport for ID to active the SIM later online. You can also buy a tourist SIM at the airport at counter 55 or at the CVS4You convenience store. The airport is the simplest place to buy these SIM cards. You might find them at 7-Elevens in town. Here’s a map of suggested 7-Elevens that sell them. Tourist SIMs can be used for a month. There are 3 types and you can read about them here. 

Buying a phone in Korea: If you want to buy a new mobile phone here you will need to wait until you have your alien card and bank book and that could be at the end of August. If you need phone service right off from the airport, you might consider purchasing a temporary phone at the airport for the first month.

More about phones: Later on, each person needs to open their own bank account in Seoul if you want to start a phone plan. You can purchase two phone lines per bank account, one post-paid and one pre-paid. As the alien cards come out in early September you will be without cell phones until then if you do not buy a Tourist SIM or rent a phone at the airport. Of course you can use your apartment land line. One last thing to note; there’s a special number (1330) you can call to ask for all sorts of “tourist” info – movies, restaurants, translate for the taxi, etc.

Getting online:

On campus - You can purchase a wireless router or bring one with you and follow the directions that come with the router. Expect to pay around KRW 100,000 or more for a good router. Bigger is better and more antennas is better :-) You can also purchase on Gmarket.com.

Typical router installation is as follows:

1. Connect to power.

2. Connect ethernet cable to the wall. 

3. Look for the wireless network on your laptop. In many cases the network name and password are on the bottom of the router or on the box.

Hilton - plug your router into the DSL/cable modem there and talk to the Suite A desk for help. 

On the school part of campus you should also see the WiFi network named SFSWiFi. You will need to enter your username and password to connect.

1. Username: firstname.lastname (note the “.”)

2. Password: the one you use to log in to SFS email

Need help? - visit the tech office (upper level of the aquatics building) or call them at 13051 from campus phones or 02-330-3100 and that extension from home. Home internet connections are not officially their responsibility but they will do their best to help if possible. 

Google Classroom: Getting Started

      Get started using Google Classroom

Further information go to: Teacher Tech with Alice Keeler

       10 Things to Start with in Google Classroom

1. Create a class

2. Create an announcement

3. Invite Students

4. Create an assignment

5. View the Classroom folder

6. Click the Assignment Title

7. Provide feedback

8. Return work

9. Provide a link

10. Ask a question

  

To find out how to do these 10 things, go to: Teacher Tech with Alice Keeler