Int'l students share experiences of adopting, living with animal friends

K-campus

Published: 20 Jun. 2023, 13:51 Updated: 20 Jun. 2023, 16:59

Int'l students share experiences of adopting, living with animal friends

Elby Novanda with his cat Hana [ELBY NOVANDA]

Studying abroad is a lonely journey. Leaving your friends and family behind and moving to a new place is never easy, and you are often on your own throughout the journey. However, for some, their four-legged pals come to their rescue.

The benefits of having pets

"Hana is the reason I want to come back to the room every day," Elby Novanda, a 32-year-old Indonesian student at Seoul National University, said. Hana is the name of his one-year-old ragdoll cat.

Elby said adopting Hana made it easier for him to come home early, as he now knows he won't be alone at home. He avoided doing so when he first moved to Korea because home meant a solitary space where there was no one waiting for him.

"I have always been a cat lover since I was young but never had the courage to adopt one, so Hana coming was the right moment to do it."

Returning home and seeing Hana now is his favorite part of the day.

"The thing with cats is that they are unpredictable and often not so obedient like others, so it is really fun having them around."

Aleksandra Kim, 23, an international student from Russia at Jeonbuk National University and mother to two hamsters, said her animal companions, Boba and Bingsu, bring the same joys.

"It feels really happy knowing that somebody is waiting for you at home."

Aleksandra also added hamsters are the perfect pets for international students as taking care of them is easier than other pets.

"[They] do not require [much space,] foods and attention," she said, adding, "You can go [on] with your days and then come back to play with them at night."

ThoMi and her pet toy [LAM TU CHAU NGUYEN]

Lam Tu Chau Nguyen, 25, a student from Vietnam living in Jeonju, also shared the same experience with her rabbit ThoMi, who she adopted in 2021.

"ThoMi is really silly, but in a cute and funny way. Spending time with him is the best way for me to relax after a long day," she said. "I even made a lot of memes from ThoMi's daily activities so that I could later look at them and immediately have a good laugh."

Things to consider before adopting a pet as an international student

Sharing a room with a furry friend can be an adventure with trials and tribulations, but the three agree that adopting these cuties has made them happier. However, they also added that there are factors international students need to consider before adopting a pet, ranging from their current living conditions and their budget to whether they can make long-term commitments.

The requirements vary depending on the type of pet.

Hana costs Elby around 100,000 won ($78) a month, while Aleksandra spends 20,000 won for her hamsters, and Lam Tu Chau spends 50,000 won for Thomi. These monthly costs do not include hospital visits and unexpected expenses.

Hospital bills are another barrier to living with pets. Aleksandra once had to pay 20,000 won for a simple check-up after Bobba accidentally scratched his eyes.

What to do with pets once leaving the country is also a concern. While Elby and Lam Tu Chau plan to bring Hana and ThoMi back home when they leave, they acknowledge not everyone has the money to do so.

Bobba the little hamster and Aleksandra Kim [ALEKSANDRA KIM]

Another thing to consider is whether your landlords allow pets in their buildings. Seeking the landlord's consent is essential as there could be heavy financial consequences for not notifying them.

According to Lam Tu Chau, she had to move away from her previous building because the landlord does not allow pets, even quieter ones like rabbits. Meanwhile, Elby had an experience where his real estate agent suggested he lie to the landlord about living with a pet.

"I decided to [say no] because sooner or later when the landlord figures out Hana's presence, there will be a lot of troubles," he said.

While there are various options where future pet owners can find their companions, most people meet their animal friends through their acquaintances, shelters and shops.

For Lam Tu Chau, she first checked out several rabbit shops on Instagram before choosing ThoMi. After contacting the shop owner, she waited until ThoMi was old enough to leave his family and then picked him up from a rabbit farm in Incheon.

“Adopting through a pet shop is usually more expensive, but I have some guarantees about his health condition ... and someone to guide him when he has problems.”

She brought ThoMi home at 50,000 won and was offered free grooming service.

ThoMi nibbles on a strawberry. [LAM TU CHAU NGUYEN]

Those unsure about making long-term commitments to raise a pet may consider providing foster care for animals looking for families they can stay with for the long term.

Malika Adilova, 30, from Uzbekistan, a former student in Jeonju, chose to foster her dog Heng-un ("Good luck" in Korean), who she found through a private animal shelter.

"I am currently looking for jobs and unsure about my future in Korea, so I decided to foster Heng-un instead of taking him in permanently," she said.

The shelter provides her with food and necessary supplements for Heng-un every month so that Malika does not incur much financial burden.

Lastly, you have to make sure your future pets are in good health or in a manageable condition. Before bringing your pets home, prepare the necessary supplies in advance and get your pets checked by a veterinary professional. It's also important to know the location of veterinary clinics that are close to where you live.

Now that you are ready, it is time to welcome your furry friends. They might need some time to adjust in the first few days. Be patient and gentle and always seek advice when needed.

Nevertheless, each pet has its unique personality. With enough love and patience, you will eventually find ways to live happily together.

"With a pet, you don't feel alone, and that is the best [part of having a pet,]" Lam Tu Chau said.

BY STUDENT REPORTER NGUYEN TRAN THAO NGUYEN [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]