The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is here to help Exchange Students in many of the “technical” areas of your study abroad.

The OIA will help you get settled in at Chung-Ang. They provide an orientation and guidebook at the beginning of the semester, and are always available to answer your questions throughout the semester. They will help you apply for your Student ID card and Korean bank account, health insurance, and your Alien Registration Card.

All of that is a tremendous help to an exchange student.

But you haven’t even heard about the best part yet.

Not only do they help us with all the “technical” stuff, but the Office of International Affairs puts on many cultural activities for the exchange students. Some of the activities this semester included trips to the Strawberry Farm, a Korean Baseball game, K-Pop Culture & MBC Studios, and an International Food Culture event. (Cultural activities may vary from semester to semester but they are always great!)

I was able to participate in many of the events this semester and all I can say is that they are AWESOME!!! Not only are the events fun and exciting but they are provided to exchange students FREE OF CHARGE! The OIA organizes the events, provides transportation, entrance fees (tickets, etc…), and usually a meal–all at no cost to you!!

Eating Bibimbap (비빔밥) and Pajeon (파전) after the Cultural Activity.

Exchange students visiting a Korean Folk Village. Students were able to make traditional paper dolls or pottery.

Exchange students participating in the International Food Culture Event.

Exchange students from Kazakhstan preparing food for the Food Culture event.