9 Ways You Can Volunteer In Seoul

by Williams Nana Kyei 380

Migrating to a different country comes with many thoughts such as language barriers, culture assimilation, rediscovering your passion, food, health and much more. If you are a social person, you would be thinking of how to get along with social events, entertainment, and engaging activities in the city. Are you living in Korea or planning to? Here are ways you can volunteer in Seoul whilst you are there.

After all, there should be an equipoise in life right?

For holidaymakers and vacationist, you would like to find a cause to support or cultural activity to keep you enliven whilst you are backpacking. Volunteering for an activity is one avenue that could get you acquainted with the new environment. Engaging in unpaid activities can offer many intangible benefits for personal and career development.

The city of Seoul is inundated with different kinds of volunteering activities; educational, tourism, orphanages, homeless activities, language exchange, city engagements, flea markets, and culture.

Since living in Seoul as a student, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in quite a number of volunteering activities and I still do them. I wanted to find something meaningful as an extracurricular activity on weekends.

In so doing, I learn new skills, network with new people, learn the language and understand the culture better. I want to share some of the ways you can volunteer in Seoul in this blog post.

1. Korea International Volunteer

This is a group of volunteers entailing both foreigners and Koreans. It was the first volunteering group I joined and the first activity I ever engaged in, in Korea. Very diverse passionate individuals who are committed to helping the less privileged in Korea. Their programs range from; feeding homeless at a shelter, teaching underprivileged kids at a center and language exchange with foreigners. Some of these activities run concurrently every month. Get involved by visiting the meetup page here.

2. Cultural Exchange & Volunteer in Korea – Culture Us

This volunteering group operated by “Culture Us” (Education & Culture), is a social enterprise designated by the Korea Cultural Heritage Administration. Their aim is to promote friendship among foreigners through cultural activities and education. They have programs running all year long. They recruit volunteers (Global supporters) for programs such as Lotus Lantern Festival of which I participated before, Seoul Kimchi Festival, Temple Stay experience, K-Pop festivals, Palace Tours, Traditional market busker performances and many others.

Moreover, if you are an ardent follower of Buddhism, Culture Us’ volunteer activities are right for you. You can receive certificates for some of the activities as well as other freebies. Join them by visiting their site for available opportunities Culture Us or join the Social Media site here Cultural Exchange & Volunteer in Korea.

3. Angel House Volunteers

Angel House is an orphanage located in Yeonsinnae in Seoul. Angel House is a home for the mentally and physically disabled. I personally love visiting this orphanage due to my affinity for Persons with disabilities. It house over 50 residents, ages ranging from 3 to 60’s. It doesn’t really matter if you can’t speak Korean. All that they need is your warmth and smile. Volunteers get their hands dirty in manual chores at Angel House. Activities include laundry, cleaning, cooking and dining together with the inhabitants and engage in recreational activities. I understand this orphanage receives little or nothing from the government so volunteers donate 10,000 KRW that goes into preparing the dishes and the rest donated to the Director for their upkeep.

There are two groups that visit this home; first Saturdays and third Saturdays of every month. The center can also provide a certificate of volunteering if you so desire. So the choice is yours, find out more on the respective Facebook pages here; Angel House Volunteers and Volunteering at Angel House Orphanage.

4. Seoul Global Center Volunteer Program

Seoul Global Center (SGC) is an agency run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, with the responsibilities of offering support for foreigners in the city. They provide services ranging from daily living, business, counselling, taxes, legal issues, and international exchange. Aside these, they open up and rope in volunteers to support in delivering their activities to the larger community. SGC volunteers actively involves in programs such as Flea markets exhibitions, visitations at elderly and children welfare centers, SGC events management and cultural and educational exchange for elementary school students. You will be required to attend an orientation after registering your interest in their volunteering activities. Visit them here.

5. Itaewon Global Village Volunteering

Like the Seoul Global Center, Itaewon Global Village is one of the center’s agencies that caters for foreigners. And they have volunteering programs too. They include visitation to a Disabled welfare center, Yongsan Senior welfare center where volunteers converse in English with the elders as well as Young Nak Aenea Home for cerebral palsy children. The global village posts their monthly volunteer activities for anyone interested to get involved here.

6. Yeoksam Global Village Volunteering Program

Yeoksam Global village center is also one of the seven (7) global village centers under the Seoul Global Center, offering assistance to foreigners living in Korea. Located in the Gangnam area, they also run a monthly volunteer program at hospitals within the Gangnam district. This volunteer program is open to every nationality and all you have to do it to register on their website here. Volunteers engage in tasks such as cleaning hospital facilities, medical kits preparation and spending time with kids.

Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) is a nonprofit organization which was founded in 2013 to assist North Korean refugees in their transition, and providing them free English learning opportunities. They are constantly looking for volunteers, especially Native English speakers to join their programs to provide one-on-one teaching, coaching and mentoring programs for these refugees. The organization has since assisted more than 250 refugees through the selfless dedication of over 554 tutors and coaches (according to their website stats). Other programs that requires volunteers’ participation are; refugee speaking contests fundraisers, and humanitarian conferences.

Getting involved in TNKR activities will also help you gain more insight into North Korean issues. Visit the social media page to check their current events here or signup on the Teach North Korean Refugees website.

FUNDAY Korea is all about helping foreigners find and engage in fun activities around Seoul and Korea. They recruit global supporters for cultural programs, festivals, and at times, embark on experience trips to other cities. It is FREE to join and international students are highly encouraged to participate in FUNDAY Korea activities. Read more about their programs on the website or check their social media page here.

Korea International Volunteer Organization (KVO) has been operating since 1988 in areas of medical service, welfare activities, education, emergency relief, domestic welfare, culture, and the environment. They have international programs in 13 different countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. For domestic volunteers, some of the activities you can engage in include; welfare facility support, recycling campaigns, travel, and tourism information services and festivals. If you are interested in such activities, join this organization by visiting their official website here.

Final Note

If you are looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the less privileged, embrace the culture, make new friends and have fun, and volunteer in Seoul, try any of the volunteering opportunities listed here.