Many people my age have probably already experienced flying solo but this was the first for me. With so much uncertainty about how things are going to pan out when you reach. Thankfully for me I've been to Incheon airport a couple of times so I roughly know the layout, where to get my airport bus etc.
BUT FIRST
No not take a selfie, I had to get my simcard! Which I preordered online from Evergreen (EG) mobile. It's pretty neat cos for some reason my friends had to wait for 3-5 days before they could apply for a sim card in Seoul (Some rule I think?) But applying online like 5 days in advance you can simply collect it the moment you touch down, from K BOOKS.
BUT FIRST
No not take a selfie, I had to get my simcard! Which I preordered online from Evergreen (EG) mobile. It's pretty neat cos for some reason my friends had to wait for 3-5 days before they could apply for a sim card in Seoul (Some rule I think?) But applying online like 5 days in advance you can simply collect it the moment you touch down, from K BOOKS.
However my Simcard didn't work for me at all. Spent quite a long time with the (Really patient) shopkeeper trying to get network on my phone but it just didn't work. Finally gave up and the shopkeeper suggested I give EGSim a call on their hotline later (Which only opens at 9am) So I left.
*FAST FORWARD* I called the hotline at 9am and the english speaking customer service personnel said he couldn't help me because it was a Sunday and he wouldn't be able to process anything. However on MONDAY, my Simcard magically worked without me calling! Therefore I don't know what was the actual reason for it not working initially. I didn't provide him any details so he couldn't have fixed it for me. It might be due to the day that you get the card, maybe it cannot be activated on weekends.
*FAST FORWARD* I called the hotline at 9am and the english speaking customer service personnel said he couldn't help me because it was a Sunday and he wouldn't be able to process anything. However on MONDAY, my Simcard magically worked without me calling! Therefore I don't know what was the actual reason for it not working initially. I didn't provide him any details so he couldn't have fixed it for me. It might be due to the day that you get the card, maybe it cannot be activated on weekends.
So! I then have to find transport to bring my to my apartment in Seoul. Incheon Airport has quite a number of transport options. Some of the popular ones are :
1) Airport Express (Train)
2) Taxi (Various kinds for various budgets)
3) Airport Bus
Taxi would be too expensive as my landlady quoted something like approximately 50000(SGD$60) onwards for a trip so I went with the airport bus option as it brought me straight to Seoul National University Station.
So the thing with Airport buses is that you have to buy tickets at designated counters. Do not board the bus just to realise you have to buy a ticket at the counter first.(Note the long queue) When you get your ticket you find your bus berth and board it when it arrives. The bus uncle will help carry your luggage on board, give you a sticker to match your luggage, and you can just proceed into the bus to relax.
The list of bus stops are listed on the board outside and every bus is equipped with an announcement system like the one in Subway trains. They say the stop name in Korean first and then followed by English. It takes approximately an hour for the bus to get to Seoul from Incheon. So add 10 to 40 mins more depending on the stop you're getting off at. PRESS THE RED STOP BUTTON TO INDICATE YOU WANT TO GET OFF.
Walked quite a long distance to my apartment because I had no GPS and could only ask for directions. Th
My apartment is gooooood. But it's a little inconvenient to post pictures of it here. (Complicated reasons)
After that I rushed out for orientation! Met my first point of contact, a girl from Brazil named Claudia, because she stays really near me and we sort of established some communication months before exchange started. She's really nice and really helpful.
1) Airport Express (Train)
2) Taxi (Various kinds for various budgets)
3) Airport Bus
Taxi would be too expensive as my landlady quoted something like approximately 50000(SGD$60) onwards for a trip so I went with the airport bus option as it brought me straight to Seoul National University Station.
So the thing with Airport buses is that you have to buy tickets at designated counters. Do not board the bus just to realise you have to buy a ticket at the counter first.(Note the long queue) When you get your ticket you find your bus berth and board it when it arrives. The bus uncle will help carry your luggage on board, give you a sticker to match your luggage, and you can just proceed into the bus to relax.
The list of bus stops are listed on the board outside and every bus is equipped with an announcement system like the one in Subway trains. They say the stop name in Korean first and then followed by English. It takes approximately an hour for the bus to get to Seoul from Incheon. So add 10 to 40 mins more depending on the stop you're getting off at. PRESS THE RED STOP BUTTON TO INDICATE YOU WANT TO GET OFF.
Walked quite a long distance to my apartment because I had no GPS and could only ask for directions. Th
My apartment is gooooood. But it's a little inconvenient to post pictures of it here. (Complicated reasons)
After that I rushed out for orientation! Met my first point of contact, a girl from Brazil named Claudia, because she stays really near me and we sort of established some communication months before exchange started. She's really nice and really helpful.
Rushing out to run some errands now. Will post about Day 2 soon!