Soon Chun Hyang Health Clinic

The air in Korea is quite dry during the winter season. This week I starting coughing like when I was in Hong Kong. When the air is too dry I cough like I have asthma or something. My Korean teacher recommended that I go to the clinic to see if they can help me.

So yesterday after class I decided to drop by. I had an exchange that hour and he was nice enough to come along with me and help out if the staff at the clinic had any problems understanding me.

It's very easy right when you walk in one of the medical students will hand you a piece of paper to fill out. All you need to do is fill out your name, major and student number. Then you wait, unless there is no one in front of you then you can go in right away. There were about 5 people in front of me and it didn't take too long at about, approx 15 minutes and it was my turn.

When I went inside I explained to the doctor or med student (I'm not sure really...) what my problem was in English. My exchange partner translated a few lines in Korean. I know the doctor can understand my English, but his speaking is very low. He asked me one question in English, student? And when I asked him can I explain to him in English my problem he gave me a nod and said go ahead.

In the end my point went across and he prescribed me some cough syrup. The clinic will give you medicine and it's enough for 1 days worth. If the problem persists you'll need to go in again to get more OR you will just have to go to the pharmacy down the road to buy more. Medicine here isn't too expensive but it's nice that they will give you some medicine for free, even if it's just one days worth.

One warning is that if you are allergic to any sort of medicine you will need to tell them because they don't really ask you any of those questions. I don't have any problems in my medical history so for me it was fine. But if you have taken medication before or you know you are allergic to something definitely say something in the beginning.

Also I know other international students have gone to the clinic alone to get medicine so it's not a problem, but like I mentioned if you have allergies or what not that may require a lengthier explanation it might be better to see if a Korean friend can go with you to translate.

Many of the Koreans I have met here are very nice and are willing to help so don't be shy!