Busan transforms vacant homes into dormitories for foreign students

"It's much easier to focus on my studies here than when I was living with friends in an officetel or a goshiwon," said one student.

Busan has the highest number of vacant homes among provincial-level local governments in South Korea.

Yeongdo District, a representative old downtown area, is known as a vacant home-dense area.

The Busan Metropolitan City, Yeongdo District, and Korea Maritime & Ocean University have jointly pushed for a project to create dormitories for foreign students by addressing this vacant home issue and alleviating the housing difficulties of international students.

Vacant homes in Dongsam-dong and Cheonghak-dong have been remodeled into male and female dormitories, respectively, and can accommodate 10 foreign students.

On the morning of the 20th, a visit to the foreign student dormitory in Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo District, revealed a clean appearance that made it hard to believe it was once a vacant house.

The exterior of the two-story detached house was newly decorated in white and blue.

The dormitory was designed in a share house format, where individual bedrooms are used independently, but the living room, kitchen, and bathroom are shared.

Desks and chairs were placed in the first-floor living room for students to use, and basic facilities such as food waste bins and refrigerators were equipped in the bathroom and kitchen.

Three rooms used as single rooms each had desks, beds, and even bedding neatly arranged.

The second-floor space, used by two students, was divided into bedrooms and study rooms, with a separate bathroom and kitchen also provided.

The cost of using such a space is about 200,000 won per month, which is a low price compared to on-campus dormitories.

The satisfaction of the students actually living there is also high.

An international student from Uzbekistan, pursuing a Ph.D. in Maritime Economics, said, "It's great that it's close to school and I can use a room by myself at a low price," adding, "While there are aspects of Korean life I'm experiencing for the first time, like recycling and food waste disposal, the dormitory helps me learn these things from the school, so it's not difficult."

This project was initiated when Korea Maritime & Ocean University proposed a solution to the local government for its insufficient dormitory capacity.

It was selected for Busan City and Yeongdo District's 'Vacant Home Purchase and Living SOC Creation Project,' which involves purchasing abandoned vacant homes in the city center and utilizing them as living-related social overhead capital (SOC).

Yeongdo District subsequently began reviewing applicable houses based on the status of vacant homes slated for demolition.

A Yeongdo District official explained, "We had a list of vacant homes whose owners wished to demolish them and informed the district office," adding, "We selected vacant homes that could be used as dormitories considering their age and size, and then proceeded with remodeling."

Korea Maritime & Ocean University also conducted a survey to reflect the opinions of international students during the remodeling process.

A university official said, "We ensured ample storage space, reflecting opinions that students have many belongings due to long-term study abroad," and "As it is an off-campus dormitory, we prioritize selecting international graduate students who have somewhat adapted to life in Korea."

He added, "Although the number of residents is not high as the dormitory opened during the semester, the number of inquiries from international students after their existing residency contracts end is steadily increasing."

The university expects this project to not only provide a stable living environment for international students but also to help solve the vacant home problem and revitalize the local economy by attracting young, active populations.

A university official stated, "We will continue to cooperate with the local community to support international students so that they can develop affection for Busan and the university and grow into global maritime talents."