LangStay Volunteer Wiki

Welcome to LangStay!

“Through stewardship and empowerment, we grow in harmony. With resilience and curiosity, we overcome challenges, and through collaboration, we create a sustainable and thriving world for all.”(The Core Values of LangStay)

Welcome to Langstay ! You are in the right place if you are someone friendly,love to socialize with people and learn about various different cultures with an open-mind.

A week into Langstay, you will see yourself having conversations in various group (a mix of Local Koreans and foreigners) during the weekdays and participating in larger networking events on a weekend.

Our main goal is to create a community to exchange culture knowledge and to practice language between local Koreans and volunteers through conversation (i.e. language cafe).

Immerse yourself in the heart of Korea with an unforgettable journey into authentic Korean life through engaging conversations with locals. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience is designed to provide you with genuine insights into Korean traditions, daily routines, and the warmth of its people through :

1. Real Conversations with Real People
   Experience the true essence of Korea by conversing with friendly locals who are eager to share their stories, traditions, and perspectives. From young students to elderly citizens, you'll meet a diverse range of people, each offering a unique glimpse into Korean society.
2. Cultural Exchange and Learning
   Engage in meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level interactions. Learn about Korean customs, etiquette, and social norms in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Discover the significance of traditional festivals, the importance of family values, and the intricacies of the Korean language and much more.
3. Networking events on the weekend
   Participate in our weekend networking events with various different themes weekly and play boardgames and many more social-bonding games which provide a fun and interactive way to build connections between local Koreans and foreigners.
4. Explore Hidden Gems
   Venture off the beaten path and explore lesser-known neighborhoods and local hangouts. This experience will take you beyond the typical tourist spots, allowing you to see Korea through the eyes of its residents and discover hidden gems that are often overlooked.
5. Build Lasting Connections
   Form lasting friendships with both locals and fellow travelers. Share your own culture and experiences, creating a mutual exchange that enriches everyone's understanding of the world.

Our facility is located in Seoul within 7 min walking distance (500m) of Sillim station, from which the No.2 train line (신림역) conveniently connects you to Seoul's most popular locations. Additionally, we are near many major bus lines running 24 hours.

Our neighborhood is popular with young locals due to nearby Seoul National University, meaning there is a large selection of local and affordable restaurants, bars, cafes, grocery stores, and convenience marts. All required amenties (ATMs, banks, laundromats, etc.) and a Lotte Dept. Store and Shopping Center are within walking distance (500m). Beautiful Boramae Park is also only 500m away and includes many free sporting facilities and exercise equipment including basketball, badminton, and tennis courts, turf soccer fields, calisthenic and gym equipment, running track, skate park, and climbing wall.

Our facility is legally registered as a Gosiwon - this is a form of low-cost housing in Korea consisting of a larger residential space divided into small private rooms with shared kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and common areas. This is an older building, however we are continuously renovating and updating it to make it more comfortable.

• Volunteer accommodations are private (1 person) rooms but smaller than Westerners are generally used to
  • Rooms are around 190cm×155cm
  • Most rooms have a full bed.
  • No air conditioning in rooms - fan provided
  • Every room has a dedicated internet line
  • Secure and automated locking doors
  • See House Rules for more information
• We have a small reading lounge with Korean & English language college books.

Please note that in comparison with accommodations provided by other Language cafes which usually consists of a few bunker beds in a one room and a shared bathroom/shower room. Langstay provide you with private room and bed with shared common area like kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Kindly note that the private small room (most have no windows) provided might be of some challenge for people if they are not used to living in Gosiwon style room.

This is a new business and we are still in the process of renovating and developing the language cafe facilities. Initially we will be starting with 4 language volunteers and 2 other volunteers (administration, cleaning). As our business grows, we hope to expand up to 16 volunteers. In the beginning phases volunteers may have more free time allowed if we are not busy.

• In the process of developing programs/facilities, we may ask volunteers to help in other tasks based on need (for example language volunteers assisting with maintenance tasks and vice versa). Any changes to a volunteer's role will be by request only.

Currently some of the rooms in our facility are being rented by local Koreans who you will be sharing the space with. Additionally, sometimes we host CouchSurfing guests for a few days.

• More intimate language practice & cultural exchange
• Conversation in small groups of 2 ~ 4 people (depends on attendance)

• Open to the public (locals and all foreigners not just volunteers)
• Provides chance to socialize with more people / cultural exchange
• Event Include Ice Breaker, Theme game, Networking session with Food & Beverages
• Hopefully friendships can be created

This is the most important but also most flexible volunteer position we offer. You would be working closely with us helping run the language cafe and organize other volunteers. This role requires higher levels of responsibility and a longer time commitment, but if managed well provides the most schedule freedom.

• Schedule volunteer timetables
• Review new volunteer applications
• 2 days/week as Language Volunteer
• Fill in if a language volunteer is absent

• 2 month minimum stay
  • Spend 1st 2 weeks as a Language Volunteer before shifting into Planner role
• Understanding and interest in Korean culture
• Responsible & Flexible

• Organizer :
  • Create volunteer timetables: 2 hours/week
  • Answer new volunteer messages within 2 days - set own hours
• Language Volunteer - 4 hours/day, 2 days/week
• Max : 20 hours/week

• Main Task
  • Cleaning this facility - Shared places, hallways, rooms
• Irregular Task
  • Reception : check-in/out volunteers
  • Inspecting facilities and equipment
    - refilling, replacement, checking if broken
  • (Social Media Promotion)

• 4 days/week, 3 hours/day
• Max : 12 hours/week

• English Conversation

• English fluency
• Friendly and Communicative
• Open-minded
• Flexible
• Punctual
• No big tattoos / piercing

• 4 hours(sessions)/day, 4 days
• Max : 20 hours/week

Current Time Table is expected to change to Future Time Table when more volunteers arrive.

• 1 day might be added if we need more help (Total time will not exceed more than 12 hours/week).

• House Rules
• travel-info
• Restaurants (Neighbor)
• Contacts
• Check-In/Out Policy

• Name : 손정호 (Son JoungHo)
• Instagram (new) : https://instagram.com/jhandtraveler
• CouchSurfing Profile: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/son-joung-ho
• KaKao / WhatsApp :
  01096358456 / +82-1096358456