DASL/PIRE Visa & Travel information
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Check out my Blog of my day to day experiences at:
http://rj-co-op07-08.blogspot.com/
Visa
This information should facilitate future DASL Co-Op students to acquire
crucial Visa information.
Contact
Korean
Consulate, New York - 1.646.674.6000
Susan Braun, International Co-Op Advisor Drexel
SCDC
Phone: 215.895.670 Email:
skb32@drexel.edu
Visa Type
D-4 Student (Research-Extended Stay Visa)
±183 days: Look up
Co-Op Calendar Start/Stop Date
Requirements
Substantiating documents of Research/Letter of Reference. Specifically a
letter from the KAIST stating a legitimate reason and purpose to come to South
Korea (Notarized Document). As of January 7th 2008 documents most be issued by
KAIST and approved by the ad ministry of justice in South Korea.
Communicate with Dr. Oh for further Details.
Present a Financial statement with prove of at least $3000 in personal
savings.
Visa
Application Form, four 2"x2" photos (two for VISA forms and the others for
alien card registration talked about below), Valid Passport, $45 dollar processing
charge
Dr. Oh handled letter and obtaining of VISA, this may change with future
students. Consult Dr. Oh on issue.
Passport
American Citizen -
U.S. Department of
State
Passport fees about total $100 and will be processed in at least 4
weeks. There are express services available. Acquire at local post office or
other farcicality; listing available on website.
Korean Air Skypass
Dr. Oh will fly his students on Korean Air. The student can
benefit by enrolling in
Skypass
to earn mileage to be used as a part of the
Star Alliance.
Health
Make sure all immunizations are up to date. South Korea specific
immunizations
for travelers. Drexel has a
Travel Health Doctor for more information.
Mandatory supplemental insurance through SCDC. Insurance cover
emergency medical large bill items such as airlift ($60-$80). For more
information contact Susan Braun. Carried through
Aetna Health Care check to see if
personal provider may cover, than insurance may be waved.
Housing
Nuri Hall
is your place of residence during you six month stay. It is about a 2.5km walk
from KAIST, It not located on campus. Look at Google earth
here! Hubo lab has a room reserved, on
arrival discuss payment with Dr. Jun Oh. It costs 110,000 won per month to live
there. Pay cycle falls on the 15th of every month.
Alien Card
Any foreign student that is living in Korea for more than 90 days need
to get an alien card. This is mandatory even thou you have a six month VISA.
It is an ID that you keep, like a driver license, it helps that you don't always
have to keep your passport on you. To obtain the alien card is totally up to you
to take care of, KAIST does not handle this. The Daejeon Immigration office
handles this process. IMPORTANT: Bring Passport, Hubo lab
address, your cell number, and the two extra pictures, Dates of arrival and
departure!
Directions to Office:
Arrive at Government Complex Daejeon Subway station. Take line towards Panam
University, and get off at Oryong Station (4th stop). Get on Exit 1 (check) and
head left for two major blocks. Turn left and walk another block, the building
has a low brick wall with a gate in the front on your right. The building
is across from the Sun Hospital (Green sign with white cross). Also the building
is surrounded by Pharmacies (역극) you can't miss it.
After arrival:
Enter the building turn to your left and find the tray that is labeled alien
registration. Pick one of the tables and fill out the form. Then head to you
right and pick a number from the machine and wait for your number to show up on
the displays above the booths. The tellers also speak English, so the process
should not be an issue. Hand over your forms and PASSPORT. They will hold hold
onto your passport for 2-3 weeks, then you will have to return to the office and
pick up your card and passport.
Re-Entry Permit
If you are planning to visit Japan, China or any other country during
your stay in Korea you need to get additional stamps for re-entry. Either a
single or multi entry are offered. You can have this done at the same time as
your alien card registration. Stamps are obtained ( Single = 10,000 won, Multi =
50,000 won) This will also be processed in the 2-3 week time period and will be
added to your passport. This stamp allows you to not invalidate your student
VISA if you leave the country.
International Banking
Citi Bank - Citi is
the most popular American related bank in South Korea. In Daejeon there is one
located with in walking distance of Nuri hall (2.5Km). No international fees for
transactions and ATM locations through out South Korea if the account is opened
in US. This is what Bryan and myself used with out an issues, we would with draw
about 300,000won at a time so we don't have to go the ATM every week.
Woori Bank -
No international fees for transactions and ATM locations through out South Korea
and on KAIST campus. A US based account does not transfer to Korea,
therefore an account needs to be created in Korea upon arrival if local ATM
wants to be used.
In country Information
Cell Pones - I have purchased two cell phones for use for future
students. During each transition period the cell phones will be brought back to
the US and given to the next respective students. The cell phones are pre-paid
phones that need to be be recharged with "call minutes (seconds)". Go to LG
Telecom phone distributor give cell number and money to recharge the
service. If you have any issues contact Hubo lab member to help you.
Personnel Computer - This is personal preference upon arrival. The Hubo
lab supplies lab PC to be used. The computers are basic P4 processors, but work
fine. When my computer Hubo model got to complex I personally built a new
desktop PC from scrounged parts, Dual Core 1.6Ghz. I had to buy a Graphics Card
and Hard drive with my own money, and I am not leaving those in Korea.
Bryan and I both used the lab computers, frankly so we did not have to carry our
heavy laptops 2.5km every day back and forth from the Lab. Also, so we don't
have to change our IP's every time we plug into a wall jack. The IP address are
static in Korea, not dynamic like in the US. We typically left our laptops in
the dorms when we went to work.
Changing IP - Basic Tutorial
Electrical Power - The power used in Korea is 220VAC @ 60Hz and need a
special plug to be acquire it from wall jack. This adapter can be bought at
KAIST store for 400won a piece. WARNING: Make sure that your devices are rated
to handle the stated requirements (Most laptops are rated for these requirements
but make sure, DON'T assume)! 220VAC to 120VAC converters are available at KAIST
store, but are rated for low wattage (100w). I used one to charge my electric
tooth brush and shaver.
The Will - So Bryan and I are leaving in our name some items that we
purchased that are worthless to us to bring home, but will be prized by future
PIRE generations. The following list is what we are leaving as necessities that
they don't have to re-buy and our hopes that they continue to add to it "to make
it little easier for the next group on arrival."
Items:
Cell phone (2)
Cell phone Charger (2)
US to Korean plug adapters (2)
220VAC to 120VAC converters (1)
Hair Dryer (1)
Iron (1)
Alarm Clock (1)
Extension cord (1)
Toilet paper rolls (15)
Mattress Pad (1)
Laundry Detergent (1)
Bathroom Cleaning supplies (Toilet Brush, Scrub brush, Clorox Bleach, Toilet
bowl cleaner)
Assorted Christmas decorations (lights and stockings)