🌞 It's May but already 31°C? International Student Summer Checklist

May in Korea—it still felt like spring, but the suddenly hot weather has you confused about what to wear and how to prepare, right?

If you live in a dorm or a studio, things like air conditioning bills, food storage, and the rainy season can feel overwhelming. 😢

For international students who might be flustered by information in Korean, we’ve gathered some quick summer prep tips you can follow right now! ✨

👕 Check the weather and dress accordingly before going out

In Seoul, both Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, 2026, are forecast to reach a high of 31°C! To stay healthy in the sudden heat, you need to pay attention even before stepping out.

1. Wear light, loose, and bright-colored clothes.

2. When going out, block the sun with a parasol, a hat with a wide brim, or sunscreen.

3. Try to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest time, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m..

4. Even if you’re not thirsty, drink bottled water or ion drinks often.

👉 Just knowing these, you can go out safely even under the hot sun!

🌬️ Air conditioner filter cleaning and saving on cooling costs

If you wait until it's already hot to clean the air conditioner, it's too late. Odors and high electricity bills can result, so let's prepare in advance.

1. Before using, remove the air conditioner filter, wash it with neutral detergent, wipe it with a dry cloth, and dry it completely.

2. If you clean the filter, you can save 10.7kWh of electricity per month.

3. Set the indoor temperature to at least 26℃ in summer and turn on a fan together for twice the coolness!

4. Each time you lower the room temperature by 1℃, 7% more electricity is used, so be careful.

5. When leaving during the day, close the curtains to block direct sunlight.

👉 With these tips, you can spend summer in a cool, worry-free room!

🍱 Storing delivery food and preventing food poisoning

You often order delivery in a studio or dorm and have leftovers, right? In summer, food spoils quickly, so be careful.

1. For cooked food, it’s safest to eat everything within 2 hours.

2. Never leave leftover delivery food at room temperature; put it in the fridge immediately!

3. Keep the refrigerator at 5℃ or below, and the freezer at minus 18℃ or below.

4. To ensure cool air circulates well, fill the refrigerator to no more than 70% of its capacity.

👉 With these, you can enjoy delivery food safely even in the hot and humid summer!

☔ Preparing for the rainy season and typhoons starting in June

After the May heat, the rainy and typhoon season soon arrives. Knowing in advance helps you avoid surprises!

1. When heavy rain is expected, check the weather frequently using your smartphone or the internet.

2. Never go near dangerous areas such as basements or rivers.

3. For power outages or emergencies, prepare bottled water, ramen, first-aid supplies, and a flashlight ahead of time.

4. If there’s any sign of flooding or if food cannot be refrigerated due to a power outage, just throw it away without hesitation.

👉 With these, you can safely get through Korea’s rainy season!

To sum up

✔️ Wear loose, bright clothes and carry bottled water when going out

✔️ Clean your air conditioner filter in advance and set the temperature to 26℃

✔️ Do not leave leftover delivery food at room temperature; refrigerate it immediately

Don’t be caught off-guard by Korea’s sudden heat—follow this checklist step by step for a healthy and cool first summer! Good luck! 💙

💡 VIVISA will help you.

VIVISA organizes information like the following in an easy-to-understand way.

• Visa information for foreigners and international students

• Part-time job & labor regulations

• Essential administrative guides for living in Korea

Study and work part-time in Korea without worries—get started easily with VIVISA! ✨