Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not the best academic experience January 23, 2025

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/22/2024 to 12/08/2025 with

CIEE: Seoul - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I was able to travel around Asia

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

very bad, professors have superiority complex and cannot accept feedback from students. I learned very few things from my courses, very disappointed. However, the korean language courses were good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick for 2 months straight, I was asking them to test me but instead they kept giving me antibiotics.

* Safety:

very safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

1) Academics and professors not good 2)I was sick and the healthcare system did not support me 3) I was not able to travel outside of korea for the first 2 months due to the need for a korean residence card ( 2/4 months we were forced to stay in-country), 4)the school excludes exchange students from events and does not give them the same opportunities as full-time students

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Fellow international students
* What could be improved?
  • academics
  • dorms
  • exchange student inclusion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That we cannot leave the country for the first half of the semester and That the school excludes exchange students from events and does not give them the same opportunities as full-time students. This is the exact opposite of what we do in the US.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.