This clock is placed beside the main door of Osvill dormitory. I have to walk pass it multiple times everyday. It has a temperature gauge. In the photo, the gauge is reading -14 deg Celsius. However, the actual temperature then was probably about -4 deg Celsius or else I would have been frozen. I wasn't expecting such cold weather in March. Fortunately, I read the weather forecast and brought along my winter coat. As predicted, it snowed in Seoul the next day after I took this photo.
This is the U-Yong Osvill dormitory for foreign students. I took this photo from the platform of Hoegi station. It is less than 5 minutes walk from the dormitory to Hoegi station. From the photo, I can identify my room. It is the one with two window panes opened. Although the weather was cold, I have no problem opening my windows to let the cold air in. I slept well with the windows opened.
This is the basement of Osvill. Down there, I could get my laundry washed by the washing machine for 1,000won. For another 1,000won I could dry it in the heat dryer. There were exercise machine like treadmill which I didn't use. Sometimes, I would spend my night watching TV programme from the large screen rear-projection TV. Although there was a TV in my room, I usually felt bored watching TV alone. Internet was available but because of poor maintenance those computers at the basement were working at crawling speed. There were also a billiard table and a vending machine. I would spend 500won daily at the vending machine to get myself a can of orange juice. That would be my daily Vitamin C intake.
Hello! I just have a few questions wanna ask you. cause my sister are goint to study a short course in Korea, and she will live in the same dormitory (osvill). I wanna know is the shower room outside the room?? also, can the students use internet with their own computer in the room? thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Annie, the shower room is inside the room. Connection to internet via LAN cable is available inside the room as well.
ReplyDeletethank you so much. also, i wanna know do the students need to pay the utility by themselves? your information helps me and my sister a lot!! THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, there is no need to pay utility bill. You're welcome to ask more questions ^^
ReplyDeleteI see. how about the LAN cable, coz my sister will live in 2 person room. so, she wanna knows does she need to share the LAN cable with her roommate? Also, about the rent, need to pay by cheque or else? can she pay the rent when she check in the room?? thanks~
ReplyDeleteYes, she has to share the same LAN cable with her roommate. I am not too sure if the rent can be paid by cheque. I paid my rent in cash previously. Perhaps she can clarify with the person-in-charge of arranging her accommodation at Osvill.
ReplyDeleteAs for the paying of rent, it is supposed to be paid on the day of check-in. What I did previously was to deposit my luggages first at Osvill before finding my way to the IIE's admin office to pay my rent. If you do not know, there is a need to pay an additional deposit of KRW100,000 which is refundable on checking out. I got back my deposit from the admin office on the last day of school.
did you live in a single room? coz my sister and three of her friends are going to live in Osvill. But they worry about the allocation of the room. coz they want to live with their own friends. do you know can they choose the roommate themselves? Sorry, coz I cannot contact the staff of the university. So, you're the only way for me to find the ans. thanks
ReplyDeleteYes, I live in a single room but I know that there is no problem in choosing who you want to stay with. Anyway, Osvill won't decide for you either.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
ReplyDeletei'm sorry that I wrote too much on your blog. here is my MSN account " annie416@gmail.com " If you have an MSN account, please try to add me as friend, so that I can bother you by message. :)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am currently in Seoul going to start my spring program. I'm encountering a lot of problems with the Osvill dorm I hope I can get some advice from you T^T
The office announced that they wouldn't be accepting any cash so I am really worried. Do you know who particularly at the iie office should I go to for help? I went yesterday and the man was quite confused too. I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to move in on that day. Do you know if it would help if I go to Osvill directly to ask if they would accept cash? Are there any admin officers in Osvill? Currently all the iie office is telling me is to deposit the money into an account which I couldn't do so because 1)I don't have a korean account, 2)I am on a travel visa (90days). I am really at a loss right now T^T
Florence
Hi Florence,
ReplyDeleteDon't panic.
You can open a bank account with any Korean bank using your passport alone. It's immediate. Woori and Hana Bank have branch at KHU (inside Cheong Un Gwan). You can collect your bank book and ATM card on the spot.
Once you have deposited your money into your account, request the bank-teller to help you to transfer your dorm fee to the designated bank account given by IIE. That's all.
The IIE's staff-in-charge of dorm used to be 박민회 (pronounced Bang min-hway). I am not sure if he is still the person in charge.
Osvill staff are not responsible for dorm fee collection, so you don't have to approach them.
Hi Equinox,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your help! So glad to know that I will be able to make an account too...as tomorrow is sunday and it is the move in day, do you think if I can move in first and then settle the rent deposit on monday? I'm worried I'll get rejected with all my luggage and bags in tow..T^T
And thank you for your prompt reply! :)
Don't worry, IIE is quite flexible. You've your room at Osvill confirmed, don't you? I think they will allow you to move in first and settle your deposit later. That's the norm anyway. Good luck to your placement test tomorrow. Again, don't panic :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Equinox, I'm here alone and have no one to turn to so I really appreciate your kind words T^T
ReplyDeleteI have just moved into Osvill now and the heater is not working..HUL~ I wonder if it is because I haven't paid the rent but there is electricity for the tv and everything else just no heater and hot water...the ajusshi downstairs who brought me up told me that I have to wait until tomorrow to get help? But I'll be so dead tonight..do you know if the iie office is open on sunday?
I'm so sorry that I bother you with so many questions! T^T
Poor thing. Perhaps you can ask the ajusshi for more blankets (담요) to fight the cold or if there is unoccupied room with working heater, request to stay in there for today. No, IIE office is not open on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteOkay thank you so much Equinox! Now I will try to find a way... T^T
ReplyDeleteHi! So nice to read about osvill, I'm searching for some info since a long time. Is it possible to contact you via email to ask you some thing?? It would be sooo helpful :)
ReplyDelete