Carolyn Phamtran, Yonsei International Summer School Summer 2024
A significant challenge I faced when studying abroad in South Korea was not having a Korean phone number. In South Korea, many kiosks, cafes, and restaurants require customers to have a local phone number for various services. This requirement made simple tasks like ordering coffee quite daunting, especially when I was still learning to read Korean. Often times, I would have to leave a store or a cafe simply because I did not have a number to link my order to.
Not having a Korean phone number also complicated my daily planning. I had to ensure that the places I intended to visit did not require a reservation or a phone number at the kiosk. This constant need for verification added a layer of stress and limited my spontaneity in exploring areas in Seoul.
Fortunately, I made friends with some locals who were kind enough to let me use their phone numbers when necessary. Alternatively, in places where a phone number was required, I discovered that many establishments allowed customers to order at the counter if they didn’t have a local number. I definitely recommend having Papago or Google Lens handy so you can always translate things on the go!
If you enjoy exploring local cuisine and trying out new places, it is crucial to ensure that you can obtain a Korean phone number before arriving. Having a Korean number not only helps with things such as reservations but can allow you to order food as well. Check with your e-sim provider or mobile carrier to see if they offer this service. Having a local number will significantly ease your experience and expand your options.
My overall advice is to familiarize yourself with essential Korean phrases related to ordering food and asking for help. This would have helped me a lot at the beginning of my trip. Having a sense of familiarity with hangul and Korean phrases will boost your confidence and make communication smoother.
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