Informational handbook

INFORMATION HANDBOOK
for
FULBRIGHT GRANTEES
to
KOREA

Prepared by the

Korean-American Educational Commission

2007

We must try, through international education, to realize something new in the world–a purpose that will inspire us and challenge us to use our talents and material wealth in a new way, by persuasion rather than force, cooperatively rather than competitively, not with the intention of gaining dominance for a nation or an ideology, but for the purpose of helping every society develop its own concept of public decency and individual fulfillment.
J. William Fulbright

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction 2

I. PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE 3

Staying in Touch 3

Passport 3

Visa 3

Inoculations 4

Travel Arrangements 5

To Take or Not to Take 6

Baggage 10

Insurance 11

II. YOUR ARRIVAL IN KOREA 13

Port of Entry 13

Immigration 13

Baggage Claim 13

Customs 13

Arrival Information 14

Early Arrival 15

Late Arrival 15

III. Your First Few Weeks 16

In-Processing 16

Orientation Process 16

Jet Lag 17

Meeting Your Hosts 17

Culture Shock 18

IV. LIVING IN KOREA 20

History and Culture 20

Language 20

Romanization 21

Language Study 21

Safety 25

Cost of Living 25

Seoul vs. Provincial Lifestyles 26

Housing 27

Utilities 28

Food 28

Eating Out 29

Entertainment and Information Sources 29

Shopping 30

Sightseeing 30

Finances and Banking 31

Getting Around 31

Public Transportation in Seoul 32

Domestic Travel in Korea 35

Overseas Travel 35

Communications 36

Religious Services 38

Health and Medical Care 38

Child Care and Domestic Help 39

Schooling for Dependents 39

V. RETURNING TO THE U.S. 42

Travel Arrangements 42

Visa Status Changes 42

Final Reports 42

Early Termination & Departure 42

Return Shipping 43

VI. KOREAN MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE 44

Background 44

Relationships 44

Use of Names 45

Name Cards 45

Gift Giving 45

Status of Women 46

Pimi vs. Panmi and U.S.-Korea Relations 47

Odd Tips for Good Etiquette 47

The Final Adjustment Tip 48

Appendix A: AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS 49

AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS 49

I. EXPLANATION OF AWARD DOCUMENT 49

II. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS 56

III. PAYMENT OF TAXES 57

IV. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 58

V. SUSPENSION OF AWARD BENEFITS 59

VI. POSTPONEMENT OF AWARD 59

VII. CONTINGENCIES 59

VIII. REVOCATION OF AWARD 59

Appendix B. Departing For Korea 59

Checklist 60

Korean Consulates in the U.S. 61

Sample Visa Application Form 62

Sample Arrival Card 63

Appendix C. Directions to the KAEC Offices 64

Appendix D. Korean and American Holidays 65

Appendix E. Departing For the United States 66

Appendix G: Korean Culture – Informal Essays 70

Introduction 70

No Men Are Created Equal 71

Loyalty and Honesty 72

Personalized Politics 74

Heredity and Environment 76

Internationalization and the Frog in the Well 78

Preparation for Foreigners 78

Future Changes in Korean Society 80

Conclusion 82

Appendix H: Korean History – A Bird’s-eye View 83

KOREAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION
Fulbright Program In Korea

Preface

The first Fulbright agreement between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America was signed on April 28, 1950. Thus, the Fulbright Program in Korea was to have started in 1950 but was interrupted by the Korean war. After the war Fulbright exchanges were administered by the U.S. State Department for some time. Finally the Korean American Educational Commission (KAEC) was established in 1963 as a binational organization by an agreement between the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea, and continues to administer the Fulbright program in Korea.

KAEC is governed by a Board composed of five American and five Korean members appointed by official representatives of the two governments. Its daily operations are handled by a Secretariat with a staff headed by an Executive Director.
In addition to the Fulbright grant program, KAEC operates the U.S. Education Center, with high-speed internet access and website-based advising as well as individual and group sessions, providing objective and accurate study-abroad information to Korean students who wish to study in the USA.
Finally, KAEC represents Educational Testing Service (ETS) and works with the Prometric corporation to provide computer-based and other testing for the TOEFL, TSE, GRE and GMAT programs in Korea. KAEC provides testing services for over 95,000 Korean students each year.
Please direct all inquiries regarding your Fulbright award, or requests for information that is not contained in this handbook to:

Korean American Educational Commission

Fulbright Building

168-15 Yomni-dong, Mapo-gu

Seoul 121-874, Korea
Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

website: www.fulbright.or.kr

The Board and staff of KAEC are dedicated to making your Fulbright experience in Korea a success. We look forward to our association with you and pledge to be of assistance in any way we can. Call on us whenever you need our help.