Korea is exchange on hard mode in the best way: 24/7 cities, cheap incredible food, noraebang until sunrise, and campus life that actually includes you. Nobody comes home the same.
Monthly budget
€750–1,200
Language
Korean
Best time
Spring semester runs March to June, fall runs September to December — apply about six months ahead.
Suwon pairs a UNESCO fortress and old-town charm with Samsung-era modernity: a big, affordable university city on Seoul's doorstep that many exchange students find the best of both worlds.
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Suwon gives you a proper Korean city with its own identity, crowned by the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress you can walk the walls of, while sitting just an hour from central Seoul on the subway. It's home to Sungkyunkwan's science campus, Ajou and Kyonggi universities, and to Samsung's global base, so it blends student life, heritage and tech. Rents are lower than Seoul and the capital is always in reach.
Home to Sungkyunkwan (SKKU) science campus, Ajou and Kyonggi universities.
The UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress and old town give the city real character.
About an hour to central Seoul on Line 1, with cheaper rent than the capital.
Ingye-dong is Suwon's nightlife hub, with the bars, clubs and restaurants; the streets around Ajou and SKKU bring the cheap student eats and hofs; and the arty Haenggung-dong quarter by the fortress is full of cafés and murals. When you want a bigger night, Seoul's Gangnam and Hongdae are a straightforward train away.
Ingye-dong for the main bars, clubs and late-night restaurants.
The Ajou and SKKU campus streets for cheap student hofs and eats.
Ask the Suwon group on Studcasa about campus events and easy trips into Seoul.
Suwon is cheaper than Seoul, particularly on rent, so budget about 1.1 to 1.5 million won (roughly 780 to 1,050 euros) a month. University dorms and one-rooms are affordable, the markets and canteens keep food cheap, and being on the Seoul network means transport is good value with a T-money card, even for commuting into the capital.
A one-room or goshiwon runs about 350,000 to 600,000 won a month.
Eat at the Paldalmun and Jidong markets or campus canteens for 4,000 to 8,000 won.
A T-money card covers Suwon buses and the Seoul subway lines.
Dormitories at SKKU, Ajou and Kyonggi are the easiest first option; otherwise one-rooms and goshiwon gather near the campuses, Ajou in the Woncheon area and SKKU in Jangan-gu, and around Suwon Station. Private rentals need a deposit, so check the terms and view first. Being on Line 1 or the Bundang line matters if you'll commute to Seoul.
Apply for SKKU, Ajou or Kyonggi dormitories early for the simplest start.
Look near Ajou (Woncheon-dong) or SKKU, or around Suwon Station, for one-rooms.
Use the Studcasa Suwon group to find rooms and flatmates before term.
Suwon runs on the Seoul metropolitan rail, Line 1 plus the Bundang and Suin lines, plus a thorough city bus network and the Suwon KTX and SRT station for longer trips, all on a T-money card. Buses are essential for reaching the campuses and the fortress. Central Seoul is roughly an hour by train.
A T-money card covers Suwon buses and the Seoul subway lines into the capital.
Buses reach the universities and Hwaseong better than the train, so check Naver Map.
The KTX and SRT from Suwon Station speed up trips to Busan and the south.
Sungkyunkwan University runs its natural-sciences and engineering campus in Suwon and is one of Korea's top-ranked universities; Ajou is strong in engineering and medicine with a big international programme; and Kyonggi and Suwon universities add further options. Several run English-taught courses and active exchange schemes, backed by Samsung-linked research ties.
SKKU's Suwon campus covers the sciences and engineering and ranks among Korea's best.
Ajou runs a large international programme with English-taught courses.
For a full exchange semester (over 90 days) you'll need a D-2 student visa, not visa-free entry. Your host university issues a Certificate of Admission; you take that plus proof of funds to a Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. The exact process depends on your nationality, so check your local consulate, but nearly every exchange student ends up on the D-2.
Once you land, register for a Residence Card (the old Alien Registration Card, or ARC) within 90 days at your local immigration office. Book the slot on the HiKorea site early, because appointments vanish fast. You'll also enrol in mandatory national health insurance (NHIS). Some nationalities need a K-ETA travel authorisation on top, so verify before you fly.
D-2 student visa, apply at your Korean consulate before flying
Certificate of Admission, issued by your host university
Residence Card (ARC), register within 90 days via HiKorea
Check whether your nationality also needs a K-ETA
Suwon's signature dish is wang-galbi, the city's famous oversized beef short ribs, best at an old-school galbi house near Paldalmun. It's also known for Suwon-style fried chicken along Tongdak Street, and the Paldalmun and Jidong markets serve up jokbal, tteokbokki and street food into the evening. Heritage and hearty eating go hand in hand here.
Order Suwon wang-galbi (giant beef ribs) at a classic galbi house near Paldalmun.
Do Suwon fried chicken on Tongdak (Chicken) Street for the local speciality.
Graze the Jidong and Paldalmun markets for jokbal, tteokbokki and street snacks.
Haenggung-dong, inside the fortress walls, is the atmospheric old town of hanok cafés and murals; Ingye-dong is the modern downtown for nightlife; Yeongtong is the newer, Samsung-and-Ajou district; and the Suwon Station area is the shopping and transport hub. Choose by campus, with Haenggung-dong the most charming and Ingye-dong the liveliest.
Haenggung-dong: the fortress old town of cafés and murals; the prettiest base.
Ingye-dong: modern downtown nightlife and restaurants.
Yeongtong: newer and near Ajou and Samsung, if you want modern and quiet.
Suwon's own showpiece is the 5.7km walk around Hwaseong Fortress, but the location opens up much more. Central Seoul is an hour on Line 1; the Everland theme park and the Korean Folk Village are both close by in Yongin; and the SRT and KTX from Suwon Station reach Busan and the south quickly for bigger weekends.
Walk the full Hwaseong Fortress wall (about 5.7km), the city's UNESCO highlight.
Everland and the Korean Folk Village in Yongin are short bus rides away.
Central Seoul is about an hour on Line 1 whenever you want the capital.
Treat Suwon as a base with Seoul on tap: cheaper rent and a real city of its own, minus the capital's prices. Live near Line 1 or the Bundang line if you'll commute in, sort your ARC and T-money early, and download Naver Map and KakaoTalk. Do the fortress walk at sunset in your first weeks; it's the best introduction to the city.
Base near Line 1 or the Bundang line to make Seoul trips painless.
Sort your ARC, bank account and Naver and Kakao apps in the first weeks.
Walk the Hwaseong walls at sunset early on; it frames the whole city.
Guide last updated July 2026
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Student Reviews
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FAQ
Is Suwon a good destination for an exchange?
Not enough students have graded Suwon yet for an average to mean anything. The reviews already on this page are worth more than a number: they say where people lived, what it cost and what they would do differently.
Do I need a visa to study in Suwon?
Everyone needs a D-2 student visa: get your Certificate of Admission from the Korean uni, apply at a Korean embassy, then register for a Residence Card within 90 days of arrival.
How do I meet other exchange students in Suwon?
Join the Suwon WhatsApp group. It is free and there is nothing to sign up for. It is where students arriving the same semester find flatmates, organise the first nights out and warn each other about the paperwork.
Where should I live in Suwon?
That depends on your budget and how long a commute you will accept. Our Suwon housing guide goes through the areas students chose, what they paid and what they wish they had known before signing.
How many students have reviewed Suwon?
2 students who spent a semester in Suwon left a review. They are written by students, not by us, and they are not filtered for being flattering.
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The campus life is super cool! The people we meet and the AGA club is amazing to be sure exchange people meet other people.
I loved my experience and I would……
6 sections rated
🏠 Housing3/5
Rent paid≈ $162 (150€)
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
Where was it located?
In the campus
Would you recommend it?
Yes, but only in the international dorm(I was in the other dorm and it was pretty bad compared to my friends.
🍻 Social Life5/5
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Hongdae club street in seoul, or peach club in suwon or bars around the uni. Or bowling…
There are a lot of things to do.
🎓 Uni life at Ajou5/5
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Korean class 1 was interesting.
Do you have some tips?
The campus life is super cool! The people we meet and the AGA club is amazing to be sure exchange people meet other people.
I loved my experience and I would redo it again if I could.
✈️ Travel5/5
Best trips to do?
I went to jeonju, busan, Thailand, china, hongkong, japan, Okinawa…
🌆 Suwon vibe5/5
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Suwon?
It is safe and well located, there are a lot of things to visit and it’s well connected with Seoul by transports
💡 Other Tips
ENJOY A HUBDRED PERCENT YOUR EXPERIENCE !!!
Valentine
2025 • Fall
8.0/10
FromIESEG School of Management
ToAjou University
GreatAbove average
There are a few bars around the campus that are pretty nice. It’s a good way to hang out with friends from university before heading out to Seoul later in the……
6 sections rated
🏠 Housing4/5
Rent paid≈ $248 (Around 230€/month)
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
Where was it located?
Directly on the campus
Would you recommend it?
Yes, I’d recommend choosing the international dormitory, even if it’s a bit more expensive. You share a room with international students, which is a great way to meet people from different countries and create strong connections. It’s also very practical : you’re close to the university buildings, the cafeteria, the library, and the sports facilities. That makes everyday life easier.
If I had to choose again, I’d still go for the international dorm. It’s a good mix of comfort, convenience, and social life.
🍻 Social Life4/5
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
There are a few bars around the campus that are pretty nice. It’s a good way to hang out with friends from university before heading out to Seoul later in the evening. We often take the bus together and go clubbing in Hongdae or Itaewon : those areas have some of the best clubs, like B1, 25, Monks, and many others.
On campus, there’s something happening almost every week: club presentations, small festivals, food stands during exam periods, and other fun activities. It’s a good way to meet people and enjoy the student life outside of class.
🎓 Uni life at Ajou University5/5
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I would recommend the Cross-Cultural Management course because it’s fully online, which gives you flexibility to organize your schedule and work at your own pace. It’s also interesting to learn how cultural differences impact communication and teamwork — especially useful when studying abroad.
I’d also recommend taking the Korean language course. Even if it’s just the basics, it really helps to understand a few key words and express yourself in everyday situations. It makes life easier and shows respect for the local culture.
Do you have some tips?
Campus life at Ajou was really fun. There are lots of restaurants and activities nearby — PC bangs, bowling, cafés — so it’s easy to hang out after class or on weekends. Registration was smooth, and the staff were easy to reach and helpful, even for international students.
I’d definitely choose Ajou again. The energy on campus is great, especially during events like International Day or club fairs. Everyone wears the Ajou bomber, and you really feel part of the community. It’s a good mix of academics, social life, and everyday comfort.
✈️ Travel3/5
Best trips to do?
Going to Seoul is definitely worth it, even if the trip can feel long sometimes. The vibe in the city is amazing — especially around the palaces and traditional neighborhoods. There’s always something to do, whether it’s shopping, visiting museums, or just walking around. It’s a nice contrast to the quieter life in Suwon, and perfect for a weekend escape or a day trip with friends.
🌆 Suwon vibe4/5
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Suwon?
Transport is super convenient — it’s easy to get around the city and to connect with Seoul thanks to Suwon Station. The cost of living is lower than in Seoul, which is a big plus for students. The food is great (especially the fried chicken, a local favorite), and the city feels really safe. The weather is a bit cooler than in Seoul, which can be nice, especially in summer. Overall, it’s a comfortable and student-friendly place to live.
💡 Other Tips
If you want to enjoy Seoul without being constantly overwhelmed by the size and energy of the city, living in Suwon is a great option. You still get easy access to Seoul, but with a calmer daily life. People here are kind and patient, which makes things easier when you're adjusting to a new culture.
Living on campus in Suwon also helps you connect more easily with other students. You share everyday moments — meals, classes, late-night chats — and those turn into unforgettable memories. It’s much easier to build friendships than living alone in an apartment in Seoul.