Can I get around in Korea without speaking Korean?
Yes, especially in the big cities it is quite easy to get around in English. Most people speak some English as they have been learning it for a few years. The people that usually do not speak English well are cab drivers and security guards. Therefore, when you take a cab (and you probably will as they are a lot cheaper than in North America), it is a very good idea to have your home/school address written on a card in Korean to be able to show to drivers when you first come to Korea. When I first came to Korea, I just gave them the card and they took me there. As I progressed in Korean, I no longer needed the card and the cab drivers were a good source of Korean practice. Street signs are in English as is all of the subway information and announcements are given in Korean and English on the subway. As you get further away from the big cities into the countryside, the level of English goes down and you may find it more difficult to communicate.
