An international student asked me. "I heard there are rooms with no deposit, so why is it called a gosiwon? Is it a place to study for exams?" You're right, at first it really was. ## The Exam Study Left in the Name In the past, many people in Korea were preparing for a difficult national exam called 'gosi'. These people needed a small room where they could study quietly. So rooms that came with rice and kimchi appeared. Today, many people live there even if they aren't exam candidates. Only the name stayed the same. The rooms are small, but they need only a small deposit and you can stay for a short time, so international students often look for them too. ## What to check before signing the contract - **Check whether there's a window.** Some rooms have none, and the air and the mood feel very different. - **Ask what the monthly rent includes.** Whether rice, kimchi, laundry and maintenance fees are included varies from place to place. - **Ask about the minimum stay and the refund rules.** These are short-stay rooms, so the rules differ from place to place. - **Check the emergency exits and fire safety equipment.** The rooms are small and packed close together, so you need to get out fast if a fire breaks out. - **Be sure to get a contract and receipts.** If a money problem comes up later, they will serve as proof. Room sizes and prices vary by area, so it's best to go and see for yourself.