Cell Phones and Internet

Hello Hello!!!

So, this entry is dedicated to cell phones and internet. Lets begin with cell phones.

Getting a cell phone in Korea is easy. I don't really know much about cellphones, but I will give you all the informations I have. There are prepaid phones here, but you will have to purchase the phone yourself and just have to buy minutes for it. I am not exactly sure how much it is worth, but they range from 20-100 dollars depending on the model and the company. A friend has a prepaid phone and he was able to get it for $20. I also know someone who bought theirs for $80. I guess you just need to shop around and of course bring your Sogang Buddy with you. Most cell phone shop employees don't speak English.

As for cell phones and contracts, this is what I know. You can get a free phone, selected models of course, when you sign up for a year. "Well, I am only here for one semester. I can't get a contract!!!" Although you will be in Sogang for one semester, you will still be able to get a contract. I will be staying in Sogang for 6 months and was able to get a 1 year contract. What happens is that you will just have to pay a small cancellation fee, which won't be that much. It will cost about $30-$40 a month plus an initial one time $80 opening fee.

To get a cell phone, you will need your Foreign Registration Card. It will take some time to get your Foreign Registration Card, so getting a contract will depend on your BUDDY!!! My buddy is super cool so what the cell phone company did was open the account under my buddy and once I get my card, we can come back and change the owner on the account. Hopefully your buddy is super nice like mine and is willing to open the account for you.

I know this wasn't helpful at all, but it's only a heads-up on what to expect.

Now for Internet. Gonzaga has wireless internet on the First Floor and on the Basement (B1). The network for Gonzaga will appear as "GONZAGA." Connect to it and it will ask for the password. The password is 0708220070. As soon as you enter Gonzaga Dormitory, connect to this network and then you will be able to send a quick message through your smart phone, itouch, etc. I wish I knew this in advance because I could have easily sent a message saying, "Hey mom. I arrived safely. I will call as soon as I can." This would put your family at ease and stuff.





You can also use the internet through the computers on the first floor. They are on your right as soon as you enter the dormitory. You will have to check in first and get you ID badge so you can go in. Then you can go in and send a message to your family.





As for internet inside your room, its different. You have to connect like this phone jack looking thing into your computer. It really is annoying that the internet isn't wireless, but you will live! The phone jack thing is connected to the phone, but no worries. The internet and the phone are two separate lines so you can use the phone and the internet at the same time.






Now, internet in CSUN is wireless all over the campus. Sogang "supposedly" has it, but it isn't good. There are two networks you can connect to, 1. sgwlan_secure or 2. sgwlan. The wireless internet works in some areas and is stronger in some areas as well. You just need to find a spot. I sometimes get wireless internet on the most random of places like the bathroom, but I cannot connect outside sometimes. I don't know what's up with the internet here, but you will just get used to it.