Starting university in a new country is an exciting experience, but it can also bring many questions.

What should I bring? What will my first few days be like? How will I navigate life in Korea? How can I make new friends? And how can I make a new place feel like home?

For many international students, the first days are filled with a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and uncertainty. To help make that transition a little easier, SolBridge students have shared some of the advice they wish they had known before beginning their own journeys.

Their advice goes beyond practical preparation. It is also about being open, asking questions, meeting people, and taking the first steps toward becoming part of a new community.

Before You Arrive: Start Prepared

A little preparation can make the transition to a new country much smoother. One student offers a simple but important reminder:

“Triple-check your passport, visa, wallet, laptop, and other important documents before leaving the airport.” — Angelica Dianela Gunawan ·BBA· Indonesia 

Important documents, personal essentials, and a few familiar items from home can make those first days feel a little easier.

Another student highlights something that can be easy to overlook: bringing a little piece of home with you. This could be a favorite snack, a small traditional item, a photo, or anything else that reminds you of home. These familiar things can make your first days in a new country feel a little more comfortable, while also giving you a fun way to share your culture with new friends.

“They are also a fun way to share a little bit of your culture with your new friends!” — Arina Iun ·BBA· Russia

And preparation does not stop at the airport. Staying informed is equally important. Keep an eye on your university email and stay connected with your SolAssistant, Peer Group Leader, and official SolBridge communication channels throughout your first weeks.

Orientation Week will provide many of the practical details you need to get started. For now, focus on arriving prepared and ready to learn.

Your First Steps in Korea

Arriving in a new country means learning a new rhythm of everyday life.

You may encounter unfamiliar transportation systems, new foods, a different language, and customs that are new to you. At first, even simple tasks can feel like an adventure.

The good news? You are not expected to know everything immediately.

Orientation Week will introduce you to many of the practical tools and information you will need to navigate life in Korea. From transportation and communication to everyday cultural experiences, these sessions are designed to help you feel more confident as you settle in.

And do not be afraid to ask questions.

Sometimes, learning how something works is as simple as asking someone who has done it before.

Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Starting life in a new country is not only about learning how to get around. It is also about learning how to take care of yourself.

For students arriving during Korea’s summer months, the heat and humidity may take some getting used to.

As Angelica puts it:

“It’s hot. It’s humid. Wear light clothes, check the weather every morning, and don’t underestimate the sun.” — Angelica Dianela Gunawan ·BBA· Indonesia 

But adjusting to a new environment goes beyond the weather.

You may need time to become comfortable with a new academic system, communication styles, cultural expectations, and daily routines. You may feel excited one day and overwhelmed the next.

That is normal.

Give yourself time, ask for help when you need it, and remember that adapting to a new environment is itself part of the international student experience.

Finding Your Place at SolBridge

As you begin to settle into Korea, you will also begin discovering what it means to be a SolBridge student.

University life involves more than classrooms and assignments. It is about discovering new academic perspectives, meeting professors and classmates, finding resources, joining activities, and becoming familiar with the people and spaces that make up the SolBridge community.

Your SolAssistant, Peer Group Leader, professors, staff, and fellow students are all part of that community.

One of the best pieces of advice for a new student is simple:

Do not hesitate to ask for help.

If something is unclear, ask.

If you do not know where to go, ask.

If you are unsure about something, reach out.

“Getting used to a new academic environment took some time, but the supportive atmosphere at SolBridge made the transition much easier. I quickly started to feel comfortable and confident.” — Viktoria Petrova ·BBA· Bulgaria 

You do not have to figure everything out on your own. Knowing when to ask for help is one of the first steps toward finding your place.

Say Hello

And then there is perhaps the most important part of starting somewhere new:

the people.

Orientation Week is an opportunity to meet students from different countries, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Some of the people you meet during your first week may become your classmates, study partners, travel companions, or lifelong friends.

As Arina reminds incoming students:

“Everyone is just as nervous as you are, so don’t be afraid to say hi.” — Arina Iun ·BBA· Russia

A simple hello can be surprisingly powerful.

Sit next to someone new. Join a group activity. Ask someone where they are from. Share something about your own culture.

You never know where that first conversation might lead.

Different Backgrounds, One Community

Every student arrives at SolBridge with a different story. 

·         Different languages

·         Different cultures

·         Different traditions

·         Different experiences

That diversity is one of the defining features of an international university. But diversity becomes meaningful when people have opportunities to listen, participate, learn from one another, and feel that they belong.

This is where Diversity, Equity, Integrity, and Belonging (DEIB) becomes part of everyday student life.

DEIB is not only about big initiatives or formal programs. It can also be reflected in small, everyday choices:

·         Listening when someone has a different perspective.

·         Being curious about cultures that are unfamiliar to you.

·         Making space for others.

·         Treating people with respect.

·         Offering help when someone needs it.

At SolBridge, meeting people from different countries and backgrounds is part of everyday student life. Orientation Week is a chance to make new friends, learn about different cultures, and begin building connections within the international SolBridge community.

Because belonging is not something that happens automatically.

It is something we create together.

Explore, Learn, and Make a Difference

Your SolBridge experience will also take you beyond the classroom.

Explore Daejeon. Experience Korean culture. Try something you have never tried before. Visit somewhere new. Step outside your comfort zone.

At the same time, being part of a new community also means being mindful of the places and people around us.

Small choices, such as using public transportation, respecting shared spaces, and being considerate of local communities, can contribute to a more sustainable experience for everyone.

“My experience at SolBridge has been about more than just studying. Exploring Korea, joining activities, and trying new experiences made my time here even more special.” — Toufiqul Islam Bhuiyan ·Master· Bangladesh 

These ideas connect with the broader United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and responsible consumption.

But sustainability does not always begin with a major initiative.

Sometimes, it begins with simply being a thoughtful member of the community around you.

Your Journey Starts Here

Orientation Week is more than an introduction to university life.

It is the first chapter of your SolBridge journey.

“Orientation Week only happens once. Take lots of photos, step out of your comfort zone, and enjoy every moment.”

You may feel nervous.

 You may get lost.

 You may encounter things that are unfamiliar.

 And that is okay.

 You are learning.

 You are adapting.

 You are meeting people.

 You are beginning a new chapter.

Orientation Week will give you the information, resources, and connections to help you get started.

But what happens next is up to you.

Be curious. Ask questions. Say hello. Listen to others. Share your own story.

Because your SolBridge journey is about more than arriving in Korea.

It is about learning from different perspectives, embracing diversity, building meaningful connections, and becoming part of an international community.

The first step may simply be saying hello.

The next step may be finding a friend.

And somewhere along the way, a new place can begin to feel like home.

Welcome to Korea. Welcome to SolBridge.