Teaching project in South Korea - Seoul

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be staying in a temple, located in the heart of Seoul, the trendiest and most vibrant area Hong-Dae.

Living conditions are comfortable with air conditioning for the hotter months and heat for the cooler months. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to five other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender with shared hot water showers and western toilets (also separated by gender). There is a lounge area, as well as a dining area for volunteers to hang out and enjoy their meals together.

The accommodation allows volunteers to access the famous ‘tea bar’ for complimentary tea from 9am to 10pm. Meditation sessions are also held every morning in the beautiful zen hall which volunteers are welcome to join.

There is WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation, so volunteers can easily stay in touch with family and friends at home.

Private room upgrades to a single room is also possible for an additional cost. These are subject to availability and once you have registered you will be able to request an upgrade. These are located within the temple on the same floor as the dorm rooms.

For groups, couples, families who wish to book a private room upgrade, also have this option but it will be at a nearby hotel as the temple private rooms are single beds only.

Please note that the accommodation is within a temple and therefore volunteers are expected to be quiet after 10PM. It is important to note that volunteers are unable to consume alcohol or meat at the guesthouse.

If you wish to arrive earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend extra nights after your program, we can arrange additional nights of accommodation for you at an additional cost. You can book extra nights via your profile after registration, subject to availability.

Meals

Volunteers are served a mixture of South Korean and western dishes, with a ovo-vegetarian base. Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience rich and varied Korean cuisine, celebrated for its emphasis on balance, health, and seasonality. Korean meals are typically based around rice and are accompanied by a variety of side dishes predominantly made from vegetables.

Breakfast at the temple includes traditional temple food, focusing on simplicity and vegan ingredients, with options for Western-style breakfasts such as cereal and toast also available. This meal is typically accompanied by tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.

Lunch will typically be dishes that will consist of a mix of:

• Kimchi (fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, which is a staple in every meal)
• Bibimbap (a mixed rice dish with assorted vegetables, often topped with a fried egg and seasoned with spicy gochujang sauce)
• Doenjang jjigae (a hearty stew made with fermented soybean paste, tofu, and vegetables)
• Bulgogi (thinly sliced beef, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then grilled or stir-fried)
• Japchae (sweet potato noodles stir-fried with a mix of vegetables and sometimes meat)
• Western option typically includes bagels

Purified drinking water is also available in the accommodation; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water.

Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch daily. If volunteers wish to eat out for dinner, there are some local restaurants to suit different tastes and budgets. Tuesday to Thursday evenings, volunteers can visit Gwangjang Market, a renowned market known for its wide array of traditional Korean street food. This provides an excellent cultural and culinary experience, sampling foods like mung bean pancakes (bindaetteok), spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki), and stuffed squid.

If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, it’s essential to prepare for some flexibility due to the possible limits of resources at this location. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.