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Latest updated: June 2024
Most people who want to study the Korean language in Korea usually choose the capital of Seoul as their destination. However, there are many other places in the country that offer a great destination to live and study in. In this article, we will discuss why living in Busan is the next best option!
10 advantages of living in Busan you must know
1. Abundance of beaches and mountains
As the country’s second-largest city and one of the world’s largest ports, Busan is located on the southeast coast of Korea, overlooking the sea. If you are a person who loves the sea and cannot live without it, then this is the city for you.
Within Busan are a number of huge beaches, including Korea’s most famous, Haeundae. What makes Busan even more unique is that it also offers mountainous landscapes. We’re not talking about dizzying heights, but it is very common to find several mountains in the city overlooking the sea.
Whether it’s one or the other, this place offers a spectacular natural environment, from trekking to walking on the beach. If you decide to be living in Busan, you will certainly appreciate the nature of the place.
2. A perfect blend of modernity and tradition
In addition to the nature aspect, you can also get in touch with the traditional and modern aspects of the place. Busan is currently undergoing a period of rapid growth, with skyscrapers and futuristic buildings popping up like mushrooms; a clear example is the almost complete Haeundae LCT The Sharp complex, which will become the second tallest in Korea.
As for the traditional side, you’ll get a feel for it in old-traditional style neighbourhoods such as the beautiful Nampo-dong, which has a unique atmosphere, or in the many Buddhist temples that are adorned with colourful lanterns on Buddha’s birthday and provide a unique and wonderful experience.
3. Famous festivals and activities
As Busan is not the capital city, there will obviously be fewer cultural activities and events, but it does offer a lot of festivals, including some of the most famous and beautiful in Korea.
We’re talking about the Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Fireworks Festival, where the fireworks are shot off from the Gwangalli Bridge, in a spectacular display. But that’s not all. Throughout the year, the city is full of events you can participate in such as comic cons or K-Pop activities.
4. Enjoy museums
There are many interesting museums in Busan to visit. For instance, the Busan Museum showcases the history of Busan, the National Maritime Museum of Korea presents a collection, research, and exhibition of maritime artifacts, and there is also the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan.
Through the visitation of these museums, you can be sure to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Busan.
5. Foreigner-friendly
Did you know that Busan was a final candidate for the World Expo (2030)? Busan is constantly opening up global opportunities and engaging in interactions with potential tourists, trade partners and investors.
Furthermore, with a consistent increase in the number of expats and exchange students these last few years, living in Busan has become more and more “foreigner-friendly“.
6. Lots of attractions
What if you want to have fun with friends and take a break from studying? On these occasions, living in Busan offers numerous alternatives.
The city centre, Seomyeon, is a meeting point for all young people in the evenings and especially at weekends, so you won’t have any difficulty meeting people from all over the world.
In addition, there is the Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in Korea. You can expect the place to be filled with locals and tourists every day and the market is filled with lots of decorations around Christmas time too.
7. Lower cost of living in Busan
The cost of living in Busan will be lower than in Seoul and you will be able to manage your finances better. For instance, you can expect cheaper tuition fees. On top of that, accommodation fees are cheaper yet you get a bigger apartment and pay a lower deposit.
8. No Busan dialect or accent used in class
An added bonus for living in Busan means you’ll get to experience the local dialect, known in Korea for its harsh but friendly tones. But in fact, when you attend Korean classes in Korean universities, there is no Busan dialect or accent used during class by teachers. You will still learn the standard Korean in class.
This is because most of the new generation do not really use the Busan dialect anymore. Nonetheless, if you wish to acquire the Busan dialect, communicate with the locals as much as you can!
9. Very accessible by train and bus
Strategically situated between most cities, it makes travelling very accessible by train and bus. For reference, by train, it takes about 2.5 hours to get to Seoul, approximately 35 mins to reach Gyeongju, and about 50 mins to reach Daegu. Jeju Island & Seoul are only one hour by flight.
The location makes it easier to visit cities such as the ancient Gyeongju, the beautiful Jeolla Mountains, Daegu, and Jinhae, famous for its cherry blossom festival.
Not only domestic travel, it’s also a 1-hour ferry ride to Tsushima Island (Japan) & a 3-hour ferry ride to Fukuoka (Japan).
10. More laid-back lifestyle
Last on our list of the 10 advantages of living in Busan is that it is not as crowded as Seoul (3.4M instead of 9.7M in Seoul) with a much more relaxed way of life as compared to the hustling lifestyle in Seoul. Yet, you will still be able to enjoy both the city and a more laid-back environment.
Living in Busan and attending a language course here has advantages in all respects. If you decide to take this step, you will not regret it. Additionally, you may wish to take a look at our detailed article on the 4 important steps to study Korean in Korea and how to get the D-4 Korean student visa.
For more information about living and studying in Korea keep following our blog or contact us.
