Five Square Meters of Seoul: Life in a Goshiwon
My Semester Abroad in South Korea
A Room That Changed More Than I Expected
When I first entered my Goshiwon room, I didn’t realize how deeply this place would shape me. Five square meters – a space so small that my suitcase and I couldn’t stand in it at the same time without getting in each other’s way. The bed took up half the room. The rest was a narrow strip of floor, a small desk, and a wardrobe whose door only opened halfway because there simply wasn’t enough space.
On the one hand it was a reduced reality, on the other hand it was the starting point of my semester abroad in Seoul.
What is a Goshiwon?
A Goshiwon (고시원) is a very small, budget-friendly type of housing commonly found in South Korea. Originally created for students preparing for major national exams, goshiwons offer just the essentials: a tiny private room with enough space for a bed, a desk, and sometimes a small wardrobe and bathroom. Kitchens are usually shared, and every part of the living space is designed to be as compact and efficient as possible. Today, goshiwons are also used by students and international visitors who want an affordable and flexible housing option. Although the rooms can be extremely small, they provide a simple and practical way to live independently without the cost of a full apartment.
When The Home Is Small, But The City Is Endless
Seoul is a city that feels both modern and deeply rooted in tradition, constantly alive and full of variety, which was a striking contrast to the five small square meters I returned to each night. During my semester abroad at Ewha Womans University I gained a unique perspective on the city. Furthermore, I was able to see how historical palaces stand beside futuristic shopping districts, how creative neighborhoods like Hongdae differ from the busy streets of Gangnam, and how each area of the city has its own character. Endless cafés, markets, parks, and viewpoints make every day feel different, and the efficient public transport system makes even this vast city easy to navigate. What impressed me most was how safe, welcoming, and energetic Seoul felt at all times, offering something new without ever becoming impersonal. Leaving my tiny room each morning meant stepping into a world that seemed to expand in every direction and that contrast made the city even more impressive.
EWHA Womans University
Ewha Womans University is one of the most beautiful campuses in Seoul, known for its striking blend of modern architecture and peaceful green spaces. The campus is surprisingly large, stretching across hills, tree-lined paths, hidden gardens, and open plazas that make it feel almost like a small city within the city. The famous ECC building cuts into the landscape like a long, sunken valley of glass and steel, creating a dramatic entrance that still feels calm and inviting. Beyond the modern structures, traditional buildings offer a softer, historical atmosphere.
Walking across the campus every day gave me a sense of balance and a place that felt spacious, inspiring, and full of life, yet calm enough to feel like a retreat from the energy of Seoul. Ewha combines beauty, scale, and character in a way that makes it stand out, even in a city filled with impressive places.
Learning To Live With Less
In the first days it felt unfamiliar, almost suffocating. Every movement had to be deliberate. Hanging up a jacket meant pushing the chair aside first. Opening the suitcase required sitting on the bed. Nothing happened casually, everything had its own little sequence. The room forced me into a slower, more conscious way of moving that I had never experienced in my everyday life before.
But the longer I lived there, the more my relationship with this space changed. The tightness that had unsettled me at first began to feel familiar. I learned to adjust, to declutter, to question old habits. What do I really need? Which things are just unnecessary weight? Five square meters answer these questions faster than you might expect.
Shared Spaces, Shared Moments
The shared kitchen in the hallway became the place where space suddenly opened up, not just physically, but also through encounters. Strangers who lived in the same cramped building, whose daily routines unfolded within the same few square meters.
It was comforting to know that we were all dealing with similar patterns and limitations. Sometimes in silence, sometimes in conversation, but always with an unspoken understanding.
Looking Back
That tiny room wasn’t an easy place. It pushed me to get to know myself in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Five square meters can create an unexpectedly large space. There was room for thoughts, for clarity, for new perspectives.
It was a small place, but the experiences it triggered in me were immense. And maybe that’s what makes a Goshiwon special:
it shows how little you truly need to find a sense of home.
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WER IST DIESE SCHÖNE FRAUUUUUUU 💃💃💃💃