{"id":36563,"date":"2023-02-08T04:01:52","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T04:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=36563"},"modified":"2025-09-29T12:47:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T12:47:56","slug":"korean-internship-good-impression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways to Make a Good Impression at Your Korean Internship"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#Is_a_Korean_Internship_Worth_It_Heres_Why_It_Matters\" >Is a Korean Internship Worth It? Here\u2019s Why It Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#How_to_Make_a_Lasting_Impression_During_Your_Korean_Internship\" >How to Make a Lasting Impression During Your Korean Internship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#Best_Ways_to_Learn_Korean_as_an_Intern_in_Korea\" >Best Ways to Learn Korean as an Intern in Korea<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#Korean_Dining_Etiquette_What_Interns_Need_to_Know\" >Korean Dining Etiquette: What Interns Need to Know<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#Respect_and_Hierarchies_Korean_Workplace_Culture_Explained\" >Respect and Hierarchies: Korean Workplace Culture Explained<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/korean-internship-good-impression\/#How_to_Make_the_Most_of_Your_Internship_in_Seoul\" >How to Make the Most of Your Internship in Seoul<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking forward to your Korean internship?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We totally get it \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/seoul-internships\/\"><b>Korean internships<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are all the buzz right now, and with good reason, too! Internships alone are a great learning experience for students. You get to learn more about the career you\u2019re planning for, as well as get some hands-on experience, and get to know people in the industry. Taking up an internship abroad can make the experience even more enriching. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And if you want to leave a strong Korean internship impression, it all starts with understanding the culture and showing genuine curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An internship abroad also helps you develop soft skills like adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving \u2013 all of which are crucial to getting a <\/span><b>good job in Korean<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While taking an internship abroad, not only do you get the chance to immerse yourself in a work environment that\u2019s close to the career you\u2019re dreaming of, but you also get to experience life in a totally different culture. You get to practice your independence, solve your own problems, and learn more about the world around you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So you must be asking yourself\u2026 of all the places, why South Korea?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_Korean_Internship_Worth_It_Heres_Why_It_Matters\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">Is a Korean Internship Worth It? Here\u2019s Why It Matters<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re wondering why you should take an internship in South Korea, there are plenty of good reasons to. One of those reasons is that South Korea was actually named as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/15-most-innovative-countries-world-191624569.html\"><b>second most innovative economy<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the world. In addition to that, its capital city of Seoul is also home to over 2 million foreigners \u2013 as of June 2022, foreigners consisted of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/inmykorea.com\/how-many-foreigners-in-korea\"><b>3.4% of South Korea\u2019s population<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means that not only are there a ton of great job and internship opportunities, but there are also a lot of people that you can connect with who are adjusting to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/discovering-south-korean-culture-internship-journey\/\"><b>Korean<\/b> <b>culture<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re hoping to make local connections, this is also a great chance to make Korean friends, which can enrich both your personal and professional experience.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seoul, the South Korean capital, is also known for its lively nightlife and rich culture. Most opportunities will be found here, as well! So aside from diving in head-first and getting experience from your internship, you\u2019ll also be able to get to know more about the people and their lives. There are a ton of ways to enjoy this bustling city! It\u2019s all up to you to find ways to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Make_a_Lasting_Impression_During_Your_Korean_Internship\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">How to Make a Lasting Impression During Your Korean Internship<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re worried about making a good impression during your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/the-complete-guide-to-internships-in-south-korea\/\"><b>Korean internship<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, don\u2019t sweat it. Most locals are truly understanding of the fact that foreigners have a hard time adjusting to their culture. However, if you do want to live like a local or just want to level up your communication skills, then it\u2019s best to understand and prepare!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make a good impression during your Korean internship, here are a few things that you should keep in mind:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Ways_to_Learn_Korean_as_an_Intern_in_Korea\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">Best Ways to Learn Korean as an Intern in Korea<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, as it is when moving to any foreign country, you\u2019ll want to brush up on the local language. This will help you communicate more easily with the locals, or simply find your way around the city!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, nobody expects you to become fluent immediately (or at all, honestly), but just showing that you\u2019re making an effort can help people respect you more. Your peers might even teach you some Korean, too, if they see that you\u2019re interested in it! Don\u2019t worry if you aren\u2019t good at speaking or writing it \u2013 all of it comes with practice as you use it in real-life situations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the <\/span>best ways to learn Korean<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is by practicing daily with apps like Duolingo, watching YouTube tutorials, or asking your colleagues to teach you phrases in context.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking to learn Korean, there are quite a few resources online, especially on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. You can even download language-learning apps like Duolingo to get practice before and during your trip! If you would really like to, you can even get a book of your own, or a tutor who will help you speak better Korean. There are tons of ways that you can learn and practice!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Korean_Dining_Etiquette_What_Interns_Need_to_Know\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">Korean Dining Etiquette: What Interns Need to Know<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest deals in Korean culture is mealtime: typically, families sit down and eat together, but now, colleagues in office settings also typically go out to eat together. Koreans also love going out to eat with their friends, exploring new food, and trying out different cuisines. Meal time is a very important time for Koreans!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an intern, you can expect to be invited to lunches or dinners, especially after office hours and on weekends. To make a good impression, you should show some interest in getting to know the food that\u2019s set in front of you on the table! Koreans often eat banchan, or side dishes, with their meals. So aside from a main dish that will likely be a meat or protein, you can also expect to have dishes like kimchi, fish cake, marinated radish, and more on the side. So don\u2019t be scared to try something you haven\u2019t before! You can do your research beforehand, but you can also ask your companions \u2013 that\u2019s sure to show them that you\u2019re keen on learning about their culture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from getting to know the dishes, you should also be aware that, like many East Asian countries, Koreans also favor the use of chopsticks. Typically, chopsticks are used to pick up dishes, like meat or the banchan dishes, while spoons are used to scoop up rice. If you haven\u2019t quite mastered the use of chopsticks yet, it would be good to practice beforehand! This is a polite way to respect eating norms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, drinking is also a big part of Korean dining culture. The Korean legal drinking age is actually at the age of 19, but you don\u2019t have to partake, especially if you aren\u2019t comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Respect_and_Hierarchies_Korean_Workplace_Culture_Explained\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">Respect and Hierarchies: Korean Workplace Culture Explained<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, this might be a given, but be respectful!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age hierarchies are a big deal in South Korea, so it would do you well to remember proper terms and etiquette regarding age differences. If you\u2019re a female, an older female would be your <\/span>unnie, Korean<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and an older male would be your oppa. But if you\u2019re a male, an older female would be your noona, and an older male would be your hyung. Regardless of gender, any younger male would be your namdongsaeng, and a younger female would be your yeodongsaeng.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning terms like <\/span>Korean unnie<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span>unnie in Korean<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or using them correctly can make a positive impression on your colleagues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding that Koreans place high importance on these hierarchies will help you understand certain cultural norms and ways of communication, even if these aren\u2019t required of you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions! You might feel like it could be a pain, but it isn\u2019t. Asking questions impresses your peers as they see your eagerness to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Make_the_Most_of_Your_Internship_in_Seoul\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #d4b33e;\">How to Make the Most of Your Internship in Seoul<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When pursuing a Korean internship, it can feel intimidating at first. It can be overwhelming to be in a totally new part of the world, adjusting to a whole new culture! But once you\u2019ve found your footing, there\u2019s much to enjoy in the city of Seoul and across the whole country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you want to go on museum trips, shopping sprees, or enjoy a night out, Seoul has something for everyone to enjoy. Don\u2019t forget to soak up the culture while you\u2019re there! A Korean internship isn\u2019t just about working \u2013 it\u2019s about enjoying, too. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By embracing the culture and staying open to learning, you\u2019ll leave a memorable Korean internship impression that can open doors in your future career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Pro tip: Seoul is actually known for its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/seoul-internship-cafes\/\"><b>amazing cafes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which you shouldn\u2019t miss while you\u2019re in the city!)<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking forward to your Korean internship? We totally get it \u2013 Korean internships are all the buzz right now, and with good reason, too! Internships alone are a great learning&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[776],"tags":[799,778,777],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-36563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seoul-internships","tag-internships-in-seoul","tag-korean-internships","tag-seoul-internships"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36563"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=36563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}