Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) is one of the few universities specializing in maritime studies in Korea. It is a key component of the marine industry, which is also core to South Korea’s economy. The school was founded on the aspiration to maintain a talented pool of people who are ready to serve the country’s maritime industry, in order to ensure continued economic development.

Since its founding in 1945, KMOU has focused on maritime affairs, engineering, sciences and international studies, and produced many specialists in the field.

School’s Main Website

http://www.kmou.ac.kr/2013/main/index.jsp

International / Exchange Student Website

http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/main/main.jsp

GPA Requirement

As this is a highly specialized university, there are different admission requirements for the individual departments. Please refer to the link below to find about admission requirements:

http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/admissions/admissions_02_01.jsp

Language of Instruction

Korean, English

Flying Chalks’ tips: Do refer to each courses’ syllabus thoroughly when you choose your courses. Not only will it provide an outline of the topics covered in a course, it also indicates the language the course is taught in. If it is written in English, the class would most likely be conducted in English and otherwise, in Korean. To be entirely sure of your choices, it is highly recommended to attend introductory lectures for every class you have in mind!

Courses

KMOU is considered to be the top university specializing in maritime studies in South Korea. It produces thousands of the nation’s best personnel in the fields of maritime science and technology and ocean research every year. As such, you can be sure of the quality of courses conducted here!

More information on courses and language classes can be found in the link down below.

http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/campus/campus_02.jsp

Course registration process:

Students can register for courses on the Students Support System on KMOU’s webpage or the designated area by relevant Chairs during the enrollment period. Students can get information on enrollment and grades at the relevant department office.

If you face difficulty when registering for courses, you can always contact the international Exchange & Cooperation Center on KMOU campus. You can contact them here: ih486zed@kmou.ac.kr .

You can also get help on KMOU Global Community’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1360015117375633

You can find KMOU’s academic calendar here: http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/campus/campus_01.jsp

Course Registration for Korean Language Class

• Foreign students who want to register for the course can apply directly for the class at the International Affairs & Education Center.

Flying Chalks’ tips:

If you need additional help with studying Korean, you can find free Korean language classes available at Busan City Hall by BFIC (Busan Foundation for International Cooperation). You can refer to  http://www.bfic.kr/new/english/contents/c7.asp for more information!

Attendance policy

Any student who is absent from a course for more than 1/3 of the semester will be given an “F” grade regardless of his/her achievements.

Campus Map

http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/kmou/kmou_08.jsp

Selected Facilities:

There are many welfare facilities at Oullim Hall. It has a post-office, a bank branch, a Laundromat and a convenience store. It is also home to the student service centre and a one-stop shop to get your school administrative stuff settled! Additionally, there are many food options available here. There is a cafeteria, a café and a snack bar.

You can find out more here: http://english.kmou.ac.kr/english/2013/campus/campus_06.jsp

Another place to check out is the KMOU Sports Centre. Students can use the facilities here for a fee. You can only sign up for membership between the 1^st and 10^th every month.  

• Fitness centre – Membership fee: KRW 50,000/ a month*.
• Swimming pool – Membership fee: KRW 70,000/ a month*.

*The prices are correct at the time of writing (March, 2017), but they may have changed since.

Food on Campus

You can find most of them in Oullim Hall.

1th floor

2ndfloor

3rd floor

5th floor

Campus transportation

There are three shuttle buses operated by the school. They only operate in the morning and in the evening, as their main purpose is to help students and faculty members get to and from work.

Bus No. 1 is dedicated to students coming from Namsan-dong, Bus No. 2 serves the Jungang-dong area and Bus No. 3 serves the Daeyeon-dong/Suyeong area. There is also a shuttle service connecting the KMOU campus and Nampo-dong. However, it only operates once every day, between 9 to 9.50am.

You can find the bus timetables here.

Student life at KMOU is rigorous, as expected of the career students are being trained for. 

Those who study in the College of Maritime Sciences are trained to become a navigator or an engineer of a ship in the future. Thus, they have to wear a uniform and live according to the university’s strict schedule. This is all part of the training they have to undertake.

This strict lifestyle is not expected of students from other colleges at KMOU. Students from the other Colleges (Collage of Ocean Science and Technology, Collage of Engineering, College of International Studies) lead their school life freely just like most college students.

Orientation program

Orientation takes place at the beginning of every academic year, usually between the 2^nd and 3^rd week of March, during which international students will be provided with all the essential information. They will be briefed on health insurance registration, immigration policies, safety tips, as well as advice on how to adapt to life in Korea.

The event takes place at a BPA convention hall in the KMOU International Exchange and Cooperation Centre (ECC). Both old and new international students are invited to the event, so new students like yourself can also get some tips from international students who have already adapted to studying at KMOU.

During the orientation, you will also be brought to the KMOU maritime museum and the marine simulator center. Additionally, you will also meet the KMOU global ambassadors.

Do keep an eye out for announcements on KMOU’s official website to get the official orientation schedule, as programs vary from year to year.

Buddy Program

The KMOU Buddy Program usually starts around the beginning of April. You will be listed as an international buddy if you have indicated your interest for the program during orientation. You will be matched with another KMOU Korean student and he/she will be your buddy for the semester.

Your Korean buddy will show you around and help you learn about the local culture, as well as adapt to life at KMOU. The regularity of your meet-ups is entirely up to you and your matched buddy.

University Events

There are many activities organized for international students. A notable one would be the KMOU international student day, which is largely centered around a talent show.

Do check out the KMOU Center for International Affaires & KISA Facebook page for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/kmoukisa/?fref=ts

Student Clubs

There are many student clubs at KMOU, catering to different interests. There are 24 sports-related cubs, 16 art clubs and 10 community service clubs. There is a fair that takes place on campus in the middle of March every year. Representatives from every club will be present at the fair and you can talk to them to find out more about the clubs.

KMOU has some really unique student clubs such as scuba diving, wind surfing and rowing! This is a good chance for you to experience some of the coolest water sports available in Korea.

You can find out about the clubs here.

KMOU is located in the middle of a small island called Jo-do, which is also a part of a bigger island in Busan, Young-do.

The whole campus is surrounded by the sea and is connected to Young-do island with a beautiful little bridge and a paved jogging path on the side. The view from the campus is gorgeous, with picturesque mountains at the rear and a pebble beach at the corner!

At the end of the bridge that connects the university and Young-do is a little town where restaurants, pubs, stores and other entertainment facilities are located.

Taejongdae, one of Busan’s most popular tourist spot, is about a 5-minute drive from the main gate of the campus. It has a hiking path that provides a fantastic view of the sea. You can also enjoy Busan’s famous seafood at the top of the mountain.

Nampo-dong, a highly popular downtown area, is about 20-30 minutes away by bus.

For Food

University restaurants provide a wide range of healthy and delicious food at an affordable price. However, if you are looking for something special you can always go to the little town area, Ha-ri and Joung-ri. You can go there by foot. There are many food options in these areas, ranging from grab-and-go burgers and sandwiches to good old Chi-Mac (Chicken and Beer).

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Mokpo Sikdang(목포식당),
• Ummason Sikdang(엄마손식당), and
• Taejongdae byeolmi Sikdang (태종대별미식당).

At these places, you should try their Kimchi stew(김치찌개), Soft tofu stew(순부부찌개) and Spicy Stir-fried Pork(돼지고기두루치기)!

For nightlife and entertainment

Ha-ri and Joong-ri are the most visited places for KMOU students. They are close to the campus and have many entertainment outlets, such as pubs, karaoke studios, billiards rooms and Internet cafes.

Flying Chalks’ tip:  If you are looking for a more exciting night-out with your friends, you can go to Seomyeon or Nampo. Many youths from Busan come here to let their hair down and release their stress after a long day at school or work.  

For daily necessities and groceries

The university convenience stores and stationery shops have a good selection of everyday necessities for students. If you can’t find what you need there, you can also go to DAISO in Joong-ri.

For grocery shopping, Hari-discount supermarket is the most popular place for students who live in rented rooms outside campus.

For shopping

If Ha-ri and Joong-ri do not meet your needs, you can go to Nampo-dong. Nampo-dong is one of the most popular and famous shopping district in Busan and it has a long shopping street, popular for both local and foreign visitors. There is a huge array of stores here, along with a giant Lotte shopping mall!

For leisure

Taejongdae is one of the most popular tourists place in Busan and it is only 5 minutes’ drive from the main campus. You can go there for a jog after a long day at school.

Getting from Gimhe Airport to KMOU

The nearest airport to the university is Gimhe Airport. You can travel to the airport by a limousine bus, the subway, or a taxi.  However, if you aren’t taking a taxi, you have to use at least two different transport means to get to the university since no bus or subway runs directly between the airport and the university.

​Limousine Bus

Limousine Bus could be a good choice if you find it a hassle to take the subway with all of your luggage. You can go to the airport’s official website, following the link down below for more information about using Limousine Bus from the airport. 

http://www.airport.co.kr/gimhaeeng/extra/bus/busList/layOut.do?busType=I&cId=2016010913352165563&menuId=2728

It is best for you to take the airport limousine bus bound for Busan station, and get off at the Joong-ang station – the nearest you can get to the university from the airport. You have two options from here: 1) Bus – Take 190 bus and it will take you all the way to the university, 2) Taxi – Probably the most reasonable option when you’ve just arrived in Korea have lots of luggage.

Subway

If you don’t mind taking the subway with your luggage, this is the cheapest option. Follow the sign at the airport that directs you to the airport subway station. Take the airport line and get off at Sasang station. From here, transfer to a green line (line no.2) until you get to Seomyeon station. When you arrived at the Seomyeon station, you transfer to a red line (line no.1) to get to Nampo station. At Nampo station, you can either come out through exit number 6 where you can take 190 bus and alight at Korea Maritime and Ocean University or just take a taxi.  But seriously… don’t forget there are easier ways J.

Taxi

Catch the taxi at the taxi station just outside the airport and ask the driver to take you to the university (Hankuk Haeyang Daehakkyo).