Making friends with Korean students who want to speak English Past Review
By Sada H (History, English, University of Nebraska - Kearney) for
Chung-Ang University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was certainly worthwhile, and I learned so much about Korean culture, people and education through the university. I learned even more about myself and other cultures and people through interacting and living with people from all over the world. I have a better understanding of Asian, in particular Korean, cultures now, and I understand my own culture differently and perhaps better than I did before. My worldview has broadened and I have a new sense of independence in traveling that far. I no longer feel scared of traveling or big cities and plan to travel more in he future.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was not as challenged academically, as I had anticipated, because of differences in teaching methods and lack of room for class participation. The style of learning is focused on memorization of facts for tests, rather than on analytical deduction or creative thinking. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program, or international office at the university was very good at setting up a buddy system, giving opportunities to experience Korea culture and in accommodating students financial or miscellaneous needs. However, the staff was not always very friendly or didn't make international students feel comfortable in coming to them with questions or problems. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location was close and I really enjoyed getting to know my roommate and other students I lived with. The facilities themselves were rather old, but still adequate. |
| * Food: |
I really enjoyed Korean food, and the cafeteria I attended, in my dormitory was clean and the food was good. When I did eat at the cafeterias from other areas of campus, the quality was questionable and depended on the day. The restaurants around campus are generally good and have reasonable to cheap prices, especially compared to other places in Seoul. The portion sizes were often large and side dishes are refilled upon request, for no extra charge. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Thanks to other international students, Korean friends, and the opportunities in and around Seoul, I was frequently busy experiencing Korean or other cultures and thoroughly enjoyed basic living and interacting. |
| * Safety: |
I felt that Seoul itself is a fairly safe city, but I wasn't often traveling places without friends. Even when I did get lost, and asked for directions, Korean were very friendly and helped me find my way back. When I did walk by myself around campus, even at night, I felt comfortable because many other students and buisinesses are up and open late around campus. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Living in the dormitory and having a meal plan was cheaper than eating out and very convenient, but buying food in the market (not the grocery store) would be cheap as well. I did not anticipate having to buy a cell phone, but it was VERY helpful in living and communicating with others. I bought a pre-paid phone through a Korean friend, and that worked fine for me. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Comments
Are there a lot of International students at Chung Ang? How were you able to make Korean freinds? Did you have classes with Korean students?
Breauna_9391 October 20, 2011
Are there a lot of International students at Chung Ang? How were you able to make Korean freinds? Did you have classes with Korean students?
Breauna_9391 October 20, 2011
