South Korea

Money matters

A cautionary note: Banking and money matters are your responsibility. The program does not have the means to aid you if you find yourself without funds.

The currency in Korea is the won. You can check daily exchange rates online. You should plan to take about $200 cash with you to exchange into yen at the airport once you arrive in Korea. This will cover initial expenses like food and transportation when you first arrive.

Managing your money abroad

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted cards — some retailers accept American Express, but it’s not as common. For local restaurants, markets and public transportation, you’ll need cash/coins. Don’t carry excessive amounts of cash on your person, and keep money in several different places in the unlikely event that your wallet or bag is stolen.

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