Roughly one-third of all researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) are from overseas. These approximately 300 international researchers have three support options to adapt to life in Korea. First, IBS supplies a 24/7 service called the Global Help Desk. More commonly called GHD, this third party service offers personalized help via email and telephone in addition to sending out newsletters. You will need to contact your Center’s admin staff to get their email address and phone number as they are only to assist international researchers in IBS Centers.

Second, IBS has created its own support website called Living in Korea, which is what you are reading now. Based off of the completely rewritten 2019 book by the same name, this website is an expansion of the 160-page book into what is now 130 subsections, 650 pages, and 800 images divided among Overview, Housing, Transport, and Banking. Created in house by international staff for international staff, the website is a collection of information and support so you thrive, not simply survive. While the target audience is those employed at IBS Centers, this resource is open to the public. The website is scheduled to roughly double in size during 2020 as four additional sections are opened, dealing with Driving, Medical, Family, and Misc. Direct link is www.ibs.re.kr/livinginkorea or go to www.ibs.re.kr and click on the 5th tab named Living in Korea.

Third, every Center has several admin staff who help with a number of work and non-work situations. If you need some support, please also talk with your admin staff.