Why Seoul is a Great Place for an Internship: 8 Cool Things You Can Only Do In Seoul

Seoul is a pretty big deal right now, and has strongly influenced both Eastern and Western continents over the years. Whether via its state-of-the-art technology or its amazing dedication to entertainment with record breaking K-pop groups and array of Korean dramas on Netflix.

The capital of South Korea, Seoul is brimming with one-of-a-kind experiences for interns fresh to the city. It’s very likely, though, that you won’t fully grasp the spirit of Seoul with all the tacky attractions that often plague cities of this size. 

So to keep away from the generic tourist traps most visitors fall into, here are eight hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

We’ve recently put together this comprehensive guide to interning in Seoul. Why not check it out once you’re done here?

Seoul is most known for its bleeding-edge and visionary technology that continues to wow us in every way possible.

But rarely do you think of its stone walls and statues. More often, people look to its neon lights, modern architecture and skyline. In fact, Korea’s technological accolades have made it look like a country from the future that just so happens to exist in the same timeline with us. 

However, at the Korean Stone Art Museum you can slow down your pace and relax. Catch your breath as you enjoy the foliage and fresh air of the mountainous Seongbuk-dong village. Located just outside of Seoul, you can appreciate the museum’s aesthetic beauty and cultural value.

For millennia, Korean artists have depicted fables, both momentous and uneventful scenes of life, and their ancestors’ grandest wishes. 

At the museum you’ll get a glimpse of 1,000 tomb guardians. Enshrined in Korean folklore, these were said to ward off evil spirits. These guardians are stone soldiers that once protected villages and stood at grave sites. 

Each statue on show demonstrates varying degrees of craftsmanship – all unique to the region they came from. For example, the stone guardians found in Seoul and the Gyeonggi Province are highly detailed. This is because the carving techniques in these areas were once renowned across the whole of Korea. 

Even if you think you’re not interested in learning about stone art, the museum boasts beautifully themed walking paths too. For instance, one such walk is called “The Road to Success” and visitors who walk it are said to continue on the path to prosperity or success! 

Give your internship some extra luck and be sure to traverse “The Road to Success!”

South Koreans are proud of their immaculate healthcare system and nutritious way of life. 

In fact, the quality of healthcare in South Korea is ranked as one of the best systems in the world! And for those interested in beauty – it’s one of the leading skincare experts too.

For many South Koreans, the main ingredient of any healthy lifestyle is a fragrant blend of medicinal herbs found at Yangnyeong Market – a haven for Oriental cures! 

Before you whiff the intoxicating fragrance of the herbs and spices, why not pay a (free) visit to Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Market Museum. This fascinating museum will unfold the rich and profound history of herbal medicine and its trade. 

After an enlightening and educational museum visit, you can head straight to the venue armed with knowledge. The streets of Yangnyeong Market are adorned with sculptures of traditional medical utensils. It’s lively and always bustling with locals and visitors searching for the answers to their aches and pains.  

The stalls almost give up under the weight of the mountains of red ginseng roots piling on top.Herbs are important in Korean culture and the market is testament to this. 

In fact, South Korea’s culinary tradition incorporates herbs in every meal. So it’s easy to see why they place ahead in the race for a healthy and resilient lifestyle. 

It’s hard to believe this place lacks the visitors it deserves. The city walls of Seoul also known as Hanyangdoseong, have been around since the mid 14th century. An 18 kilometre stretch of brick walls that encase the ridges of Seoul’s inner mountains. 

The walls were once a fortress and feature uniquely Korean building methods. And you can learn plenty of facts about this cultural marvel on one of the many guided hikes available. 

We suggest a hike to the Malbawi vantage point. Spend countless hours from here and adore the cityscape. Or visit the nearby picturesque Bukjeong village, nestled in the ancient city walls. 

The sprawling City Walls will take you on an open-air trip around Seoul, and will help you meet new local faces! 

Yes, South Korean baseball exists. And it’s one memorable experience!  

Baseball enthusiasts and philistines alike describe the event of Korean baseball as ‘phenomenal’. 

Beer is cheap, food is delicious, the crowd is festive and the game is next level. If you are lucky, you might get the chance to sit at the ‘exciting zone’ which adds a special level of fun. 

What’s the ‘exciting zone’? Well, you’ll be positioned just across 1st and 3rd base, in view of cheerleaders, mascots and entertainers! 

By the end of the game, you’ll be humming all the anthems and songs alongside the home crowd! 

Koreans have a rock-solid reputation for frequent shopping sprees and the existence of modern shopping centres underneath Gangnam, Jamsil, Goto, and Yeoungdeungpo are proof of this! 

In these subterranean hives for shopping addicts, you’ll come across many unexpected sights. For instance, a replica of the world-famous Roman Trevi Fountain at Jamsil. Or an entire aquarium at Seoul’s famous Starfield COEX mall. 

The impressive library at Starfield COEX will blow you away. For Koreans, malls are places not just for shopping but for entertainment in all forms. 

But just like any other mall, you will also enjoy a wide assortment of shops – luxurious and inexpensive for that matter. As well as cinema and performance theatres, cafes and restaurants. 

Malls like the Goto Mall are perfect for saying one last goodbye to Seoul experience and picking up last minute souvenirs. This is because they are directly linked to Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal! 

There’s cat cafes, dog cafes, rabbit cafes, even sheep cafes! But have you ever sipped on a steaming cup of tea as you pet raccoons? 

The Maengkun Raccoon Cafe is located in the heart of Seoul, and attracts hundreds of locals and visitors daily. 

This unique cafe experience offers a chill ambiance to help you unwind at the end of your daily working day as an intern in the city. 

Critter cafes are all over the place in South Korea and are a nice quirky alternative to zoos, especially in the cold weather! 

Animals are often well-looked after and used to human interaction too. 

Don’t take this marketplace lightly! This venue is a culinary mini city, with countless stalls and vendors that seem to go on forever.

Handcrafted goods and food stalls are on display in glowing tents pitched alongside the Han river. 

And melodies of live music will dance on your ear drums as you chow down on KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) and street food from various vendors. 

As you’ll likely only have weekends and evenings free, the night market is the perfect place to relax and explore after work. There’s always something fun and unique happening in this area, no night is the same!

Once an abandoned storage department, the Jeongdong Observatory is now a great place to view the landmarks of Seoul.

The vantage point will open the views of Deoksugung Palace, Seoul City Hall, Seoul Metropolitan Library, Seoul Anglican Cathedral, Seoul Metropolitan Council building, and more! 

Upon entering its doors, you will be taken on a trip through its rich history and the development of the district. 

Few non-locals are aware of this place’s existence. So let’s hope you won’t let the cat out of the bag! Oh, and by the way – it’s free to enter!

Exploring the ins and outs of any city can be a heavy task to undertake. Even with extra research already at hand. 

What’s even better is if you can return from your trip with something more than souvenirs and pictures.

Beyond Academy offers you the chance to live your career dreams in the city of your dreams. Embark on an immersive internship program in Seoul to take full advantage of all it has to offer! 

Our internships also feature day trips that explore even more unique and cool things to discover.

And if Seoul doesn’t sound like your thing, we have exciting internship programs in Bangkok, Sydney, Paris, and ten other world-wide cultural hubs. 

Seoul is a magical, unique city. Undertaking a work placement here? Here are our top eight recommendations for things to do in Seoul.

With Beyond Academy at your side, you’ll be able to navigate easily throughout Seoul and land a career placement you’ll never forget! 

Read more: The Top Industries for Internships in Seoul