Guide de survie été 2026 pour étudiants en programme linguistique à Séoul

It depends on stay length and passport. Citizens of visa-waiver countries (US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others on the K-ETA list) can enter on a 90-day tourist exemption (B-2-1) and study at a language program without a study visa, provided the program is under 90 days and they hold a K-ETA. Stays longer than 90 days require the D-4 General Trainee visa, applied for at a Korean consulate before arrival. The official K-ETA portal is at [k-eta.go.kr](https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do). Confirm your specific case with your nearest Korean consulate.

No. The Alien Registration Card / 외국인등록증 is only required for stays over 90 days. Summer language programs at KLI, KLEC, and LEI are 5–6 weeks, so you remain on tourist exemption or D-4 short-term status throughout. You can open a foreign-friendly bank account, get a prepaid SIM, and book co-living without an ARC.

Yes. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reports July average highs of 29.5°C (85°F) with 78% humidity. August typically peaks higher. The 2024 summer set new heat records and the 2025 season had multiple tropical nights (over 25°C overnight). Apartment air conditioning is standard but underpowered in older buildings — verify before booking. Live KMA forecasts at [kma.go.kr](https://www.kma.go.kr/eng/index.jsp).

Yes — at least Hangul. Programs assume zero spoken Korean for beginner placement, but most administrative tasks (registration, deposit refund forms, contract paperwork) are smoother if you can read signs and basic forms. The Korea Education Center publishes free Hangul-learning materials, and the 한국어 기초 (Korean Basics) modules on Talk To Me In Korean cover the alphabet in roughly four hours.

Generally no. Tourist exemption (B-2-1) prohibits any paid work. D-4 General Trainee status allows limited part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during term, 25 hours/week during breaks) **but only after** completing a six-month minimum study period and obtaining permission via HiKorea — so summer-only students cannot work legally. Unauthorized work risks visa cancellation and re-entry bans.

Most short-term students convert to a D-4 visa via re-entry from a Korean consulate (Japan or Hong Kong are common runs), or they continue at the same institution into the fall semester and the program submits an in-Korea visa change. Tourist-exemption holders cannot convert to D-4 without leaving and re-entering. Plan ahead — consulate processing typically takes 5–10 business days.

Yes. Yonsei KLI is intensive (4 hours of class daily, 5 days a week) and grammar-heavy. Sogang KLEC is communication-first, with daily speaking practice baked in. SNU LEI sits between the two — strong academic foundation with structured speaking. Course content is comparable across all three, but the pacing, classroom culture, and student demographics differ enough that program fit matters. Verify exact 2026 summer schedules on each program's official website.

No. All three major programs require full payment of tuition at registration and offer no refund after the first week. If you want to switch, you complete the current term and apply to the next. Short summer schedules (5–6 weeks) make mid-program switches impractical regardless. Choose carefully before paying — read recent student reviews on the official program forums and Reddit's r/Korean.