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Check out detailed tips and tricks, as well as information from our KGY Community for everyone who is considering going abroad.
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❄️ Surviving the Freeze: A Dutch Girl’s Winter Gap Year Guide to Korea
Thinking of a gap year in Korea? Dutch student Ruth shares her honest experience surviving -10°C Seoul winters, finding Christmas magic, and making friends abroad.
For those who are new here, welcome! My name is Ruth, and I’m a student from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 currently living my dream through the Korea Gap Year program.
Back home in the Netherlands, our winters are usually mild, with average lows hovering around 0°C. I first visited Korea in February, thinking I knew what "cold" felt like—I was wrong! Unlike the damp, windy winters of Europe, winters in South Korea are truly freezing.
Just last week, Seoul hit a bone-chilling -10°C. The heavy snowfall transformed the city into a winter wonderland, which was beautiful to look at, but my face, fingers, and toes definitely felt the bite! It’s a classic "love-hate" relationship: the snow is magical for photos, but the wind chill is no joke.
🗒️ Pro Tip for Travelers: If you're visiting Korea in winter, invest in "Hot Packs" from any convenience store. They are absolute life-savers!
One of the best parts of the snow was getting outside with friends. We tried our hand at making a "snow bear"—a popular winter activity here. It wasn't perfect, but it’s these small memories that make the International student experience in Korea so special.
1st attempt at making a snow bear !
With the holiday season in full swing, Seoul feels especially magical. From the massive light displays at Myeongdong to the festive music echoing through the streets, the holiday atmosphere is impossible to miss.
However, being away from my family in the Netherlands during Christmas does bring a bit of homesickness. I initially worried about spending the holidays alone, but I quickly realized a beautiful truth: The foreigner community in Korea is incredibly welcoming.
If you are planning a gap year in South Korea, my biggest piece of advice is to make an effort to socialize.
Don't stay in your room: Many international students and expats feel the same sense of loneliness during the holidays.
Join meetups: Whether it's a language exchange or a holiday dinner, reaching out creates a sense of community.
Celebrate together: This year, I’ll be spending Christmas with the close friends I’ve made here. We’ve become each other’s "Korea family."
As the semester ends, many of my international friends are heading back to their home countries. It’s a bittersweet time of saying goodbyes. As for me, I still have two months left in my program, and I’m determined to make the most of every freezing minute!