All you need to know about CAU dormitory

Dormitory is definitely something that you should try out if you haven't experienced it once in your life. Living in CAU dormitory is not only fun but you get to meet so many different people from around the world and it's an easy way for you to make friends while you're here in Korea. There are events held by the dormitory office where you can get to know your roommate and dormitory friends better and my advice for you is try not to miss out on these events.

Dormitory application

Before you move into the dormitory, you need to apply for dorms and reserve a spot. CAU will send out an email regarding this information. You will have to fill out an online survey where they ask you questions such as your nationality, your home university, if you're a morning/night person etc. I think the purpose of the survey is partly to make it easier for the Dormitory Management Office (DMO) to assign you with a roommate that they think that you will get along with. You should fill out this survey as soon as you can since the dormitory is highly competitive and it's also the first come first serve rule that applies here.

Roommate application

CAU will also give you an opportunity to apply for roommate before you move in. This basically means that if you want someone, specifically, as your roommate then you can make a request for this. This information may come in handy for those who are studying abroad with their friend or someone they know and want to have them as their roommate. I was going with my classmate from my home university so this was a perfect opportunity for us to become roommate since both of us didn't really want to live with strangers.

The roommate application will be announced a few weeks before the move-in date through the dormitory office website and the result will be announced the day after the application deadline. This application was a little bit confusing since the application and announcement of result was in Korean. But if you have any questions you can contact me and I'll be happy to help.

If you don't have any request for roommates then DMO will assign you randomly with someone, presumably with the same nationality as you but not in all cases.

TB-test result

In order to be allowed to live in the dormitory you will have to take a tuberculin test (a.k.a PPD-test), it can be skin test, blood test or x-ray. This test needs to be taken maximum one month before the move-in date. Once you've gotten the result, you will need to email a scanned copy to CAU (there's a deadline for this) and also bring with you a physical copy when you check in at the dorm. Make sure that the test result is in English, if not possible you have to translate it yourself. If you want to take the test in Seoul then you won't be able to move in until you've gotten the result. It takes about 3 days to get the result so it's better and more convenient if you do the test in your home country.

Advantages with dormitory

1. Making friends
One of the easiest way to make new friends is to live in the dorms. You get to meet different people from around the world and the dormitory also hold events/field trips for students so that they can get to know each other better. So if you think that you'll have a difficult time making friends, I definitely recommend to live in the dormitory! 

2. Affordable, convenient and safe

Living in the dorms is one of the cheapest alternatives there is. Renting an apartment in Seoul can be very expensive and it can be troublesome if you don't know Korean or don't have any contacts. There is also goshiwon, which is a small student room that you can rent for an affordable price but the location might not be the greatest. Living in dormitory is not only cheap but it's also very convenient since you don't have to wake up early to catch a bus or subway and you get to avoid those stressful rush hours. Due to its strict rules, it's completely safe living in dorms. The dorms is gender divided and the opposite sex cannot enter your building. You are not allowed to bring guests into the dorms either. 

3. Roommate
Luckily for me, I got to be roommate with my classmate from my home university. We both got along very well and we also share common interests which makes the whole roommate situation much better! I've never had a roommate before, let alone sharing a room with someone, but being with someone who you get along with makes it less awkward and uncomfortable for sure!

Disadvantages with dormitory

1. Curfew

One bad thing that I noticed right away was the curfew that we had to follow. You won't be able to get into the building from 1 a.m to 5 a.m. So if you want to stay out and party then you will have to come home before the dorm closes or stay out until 5 a.m. The only period where the curfew doesn't apply is midterm and final period. Also, if you stay out overnight without permission you will get penalty points (only during weekdays). 

2. Rules

Talking about penalty points, CAU dormitory has a lot of rules that you have to follow and if you don't then you will get penalty points. If you receive more than 20 penalty points then you will get expelled immediately and permanently. There are many rules but most of them are common sense (don't break stuff, don't steal food, don't bring alcohol etc.) so I think that you should be fine anyway! Click here to see CAU dormitory rules and regulations. 

3. Roommate

There's always a good side and a bad side to everything and having a roommate is one of them. It really depends on how you are as a person. If you enjoy having your personal space and privacy, then living with a stranger will eventually make you feel uncomfortable. It could also be that you got a roommate that you do not get along with and that, for me, is one of the worst things that can happen. Nonetheless, try to have an open mind and get to know your roommate!

4. No kitchen

CAU dormitory don't offer any kitchen appliances except for microwaves and fridges that you share with other students. I would actually love to have a mini fridge in my room but unfortunately it's not possible 😞.