Finance Skills for International Students in South Korea
Building practical money management foundations while studying abroad
Moving to South Korea for your studies brings exciting opportunities—and new financial responsibilities. We help international students understand local banking, budgeting strategies, and basic business finance concepts so you can focus on your education with confidence.
Schedule a ConsultationYour First Steps with Korean Banking and Money Management
Opening a bank account in South Korea looks straightforward—until you realize the documentation requirements vary by institution. Some banks want proof of residence within the first week. Others accept your university letter and passport immediately.
We walk you through these practical realities. Which banks offer English-language mobile apps? How do you set up automatic tuition payments? What's the deal with the alien registration card requirement?
Beyond just banking, we cover currency exchange timing (because rates shift throughout the week), tax filing basics for part-time work, and how to track expenses when you're living on a student budget. Real situations that actually come up during your first semester abroad.
Three Core Areas We Focus On
Each workshop series starting September 2025 tackles specific challenges international students face when managing finances in a new country.
Daily Finance Operations
Setting up accounts, using payment apps, understanding transaction fees, and managing monthly expenses with Korean banking systems and digital payment platforms.
Budget Planning Methods
Creating realistic spending plans that account for tuition, housing, transportation, food, and unexpected costs while studying abroad on a limited income.
Business Finance Basics
Learning fundamental concepts like cash flow, financial statements, and business budgeting—useful whether you're considering entrepreneurship or just want broader financial literacy.
What Makes Our Approach Different
- We teach in English specifically for international students who may not be fluent in Korean yet need to handle local financial systems immediately
- Sessions include actual examples from recent students—like the documentation needed at Shinhan versus Woori Bank, or how to interpret your Korean utility bills
- We connect basic business finance concepts to your current situation, whether you're considering freelance tutoring or planning a startup after graduation
- Small group formats mean you can ask about your specific circumstances—visa type, home country, university requirements—without generic answers
- Follow-up resources in English help you revisit concepts after workshops, plus we update materials when regulations change
"The workshop helped me figure out the tax situation for my part-time campus job. Nobody explained that stuff before, and the university office just handed me Korean-language forms."
Callum Delaney
Exchange student from Ireland
Additional Support Resources
Beyond workshops, we provide ongoing materials and connections that help throughout your time in South Korea.
Monthly Finance Check-ins
Optional group sessions where you can ask questions about situations that came up since the last workshop. Sometimes it's about understanding a bank notice, other times it's tax season confusion.
Ask About Next SessionDocument Templates
Budget spreadsheets, expense trackers, and simple business planning templates designed for students managing limited funds while studying abroad—all with English instructions.
Request TemplatesBanking Contact Directory
Updated list of which Jeonju-area bank branches have English-speaking staff, plus contact info for international student coordinators who can help with account issues.
Get DirectoryRegulation Updates
When visa work-hour limits change or new banking requirements emerge, we send straightforward explanations in English so you're not caught off guard.
View Recent UpdatesWorkshop Series Begins October 2025
Early registration opens in August. Sessions run weekends to accommodate class schedules. If you're planning to study in South Korea this fall or already here navigating financial systems, reach out with questions about which workshops fit your situation.
Get Workshop Details