Costos financieros

Question: I’m new here and I know no one, what should I do?

Answer: If you need some administrative help, you can directly contact the staff at International Relations Team or the Student Affairs Office. Officers there can speak English and they are willing to help. Anyhow, just go out and meet new friends.

There are many associations of foreign students in KAIST. You can also find students from your country and seek their help. A list of country representatives is in this handbook. The International Students Association (KISA) will offer a great deal of help.

Q: I don’t know any Korean. Is that a big trouble for me?

A: Almost all courses in KAIST are now provided in English, so you don’t have to worry about your academic study. It may cause some troubles while getting around outside of KAIST, because not every Korean can speak English. KAIST students are pretty good at English, and they are always willing to help you. Plus, there are many opportunities for you to study Korean while you are studying in KAIST.

Q: What happens if you fail a class?

A: If this is a class that you need to pass in order to graduate, then you have to retake it. If you have already retaken this class and yet failed again, then you might have to go the Academic Registrar's office and beg. No really, you go explain your situation, and make a case for why they should give you another chance. Be convincing, otherwise you just might not get to graduate.

Q: What courses & colleges can credits be transferred from?

A: This question can be answered by the Academic Registrar's Team. Please refer to Chapter I for contact information.

Frequently asked Questions

Q: I heard that studying in KAIST is really tough compared to other universities in Korea. Is it true?

A: KAIST students are selected from the best high schools in Korea, thus they are very excellent. Studying in this atmosphere requires you to work harder, yet it is really good for cultivating and expanding academic capabilities.

Q: Do I need a health check before going to KAIST?

A: It is necessary to get a health check before you come here. However, if it is hard for you to get a health check in your country, you can ask the dormitory dean's permission to get into the dorm first and submit the health check result later. To have a health check in Korea, it costs 30,000 won (approximately $30).

Q: What does physical examination include?

A: It includes: + Measuring weight and height + Measuring the fat, muscle of the body

+ Blood test (You should not eat anything within 8 hours before the test in order to have the accurate result.)

+ Urinary test + Electrocardiogram

+ Test of eyesight, dental condition, hearing + Radiograph (X-ray)

Q: Can I choose my roommate? I want to live with my friends.

A: Because the room allocation procedure is random, no one can choose roommate.

However, after getting your room, you can apply to change rooms. From the second year, students can choose their roommate through KAIST dormitory system homepage (http://kds.kaist.ac.kr).

Frequently asked Questions

Q: Is it free to use the washing machines?

A: Yes, there is no charge for using the washing machines. Yet in order to use the drying machine, you need to insert two 500 won coins each time.

Q: Can I cook inside my room?

A: No. It is forbidden for students to cook or to use any cooking devices inside their rooms. This policy is to keep the room clean and prevent fire or explosion. Students can use the microwave oven in the student lounge, and there is a water purifier which has heater/cooler function on each floor. However, at International Village (W5) and Gung-Dong apartments, residents are allowed to cook and to use cooking devices.

Q: What about other facilities in the dormitories?

A: There are 1-2 washing machines in each bathroom (for old buildings) or central laundry room (in newly built buildings). Use your detergent, conditioner, etc.

+ Each floor has one common room furnished with cable TV, microwave oven, waste dispenser, air-conditioner, and internet hub.

+ You must collect and dump the trash into the common trash can by yourself. You should place trashes in categories. Let’s be eco-conscious to save the earth.

+ There are vending machines on the first floor of most dormitory buildings.

Q: What period of the year are the air-conditioners in dormitories turned on? Is it free to use air-conditioners in my room?

A: Generally air-conditioners are turned on from the end of the spring semester and during the whole summer semester. However, you will have to pay for the additional electricity charge, sharing it with your roommates.

Q: What is the difference between National Health Insurance (NHIC) and KAIST health Insurance (SHIA)? Should I join both?

A: It is mandatory for you to join the National Health Insurance which covers some of the costs in hospital and pharmacy. It is 100% refundable as long as you pay every month 35,900 won (2010 basis) and submit your payment receipt to Student Affairs Team. To get a refund, you should give them your bank account number. For KAIST Health Insurance (SHIA), you pay twice a year, 25,000 won each time. (A registration fee of 3,000 won will be added for the first time only.) You can have free physical examination once a year. With NHIC and SHIA, most of your expenses in hospital and pharmacy will be covered.

Q: How can I get a refund for the National Health Insurance?

A: You need to keep your payment receipts and visit Student Affairs Team (1st Floor, E11) to fill out the “Refund Request Form for National Health Insurance” The refund will be transferred to your bank account, usually once a month.

Q: I don’t know who my Undergraduate Advisor is. How do I find out?

A: At the beginning of the first semester, you will have a meeting with your academic advisor. If you failed to join the meeting, you may come to the Academic Registrar’s Team to find how you can contact your advisor.

Q: How can I see my grades after finishing the semester?

A: You need to fill in the survey questions for course evaluations (a notice will be posted on the portal board) and install CAIS software (you should ask your Korean friend for help). The procedure may change, thus you should consult with your classmates or visit Academic Registrar’s Team for more information.

Frequently asked Questions

Frequently asked Questions

Q: Can I take another language course to substitute for Korean Basic I?

A: No. It is a requirement for foreign students to take this course to graduate.

Q: What should I bring to the OASIS to extend my visa?

A: Your passport, Alien Registration Card, Certificate of Enrollment, Certificate of Scholarship. For detailed information, please check P. 82 of this handbook.

Q: I am a Christian and I want to find a place to worship. What should I do?

A: We would recommend Dae Heung Baptist Church which is fully equipped with English simultaneous interpretation system, being one of the biggest churches in Daejeon, Free Korean class, free physical examination, free monthly tour of the Daejeon area and the vicinity are offered. The church provides bus for worshippers on Sunday. The bus leaves KAIST main gate for the church at 11:30 a.m. You may visit this webpage for more information:

http://www.metro.daejeon.kr/english/lifeindaejeon/usefulinfo/placesofworship.jsp There is also a Catholic Church in Gungdong and a Catholic Students Club called Sanare. Contact 010 6820 2468 (Sanare President, MinTak Son) for guipdance.

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