South Korea was the (positive) Experience of a Lifetime! Past Review
By Jaymee T (Broadcast Journalism., Illinois State University) for
Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts: Ansung - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about Korean culture, and fell in LOVE with it! Being in Korea made me really want to live abroad in the future, and I came to love my COM major even more! Because of this experience, I want to go back to teach English after college, and maybe even live there long term.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found the workload and academics to be similar to that of America. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The school treated us very well, providing us with VIP treatment and always making sure we were taken care of. They also planned trips to various Korean museums and attractions to make sure we got a full cultural experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything about the dorm life was similar to my experience in America, other than curfew and the restriction of males to the female wing and vice versa. I would not recommend my roommate to be paired with an international student again, but otherwise I was satisfied. |
| * Food: |
I am a vegetarian, which is very difficult to be in Korea. However, DIMA was very accommodating, by refunding me a portion of my meal plan and providing a special breakfast for myself and the other vegetarian student. I was very satisfied by this. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I definitely recommend going out in Hongdae, and attending festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival and Buddha's birthday. The school took us to Everland (the big theme park), which was a blast! I also liked Independence Hall, Folk Village, and the Korea National Museum. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Whenever I was sick, the school was always prepared to take me to the doctor if needed. I had a cold, ear infection, and food poisoning, all of which I survived with minor treatment. I never felt in danger, even at bars, nightclubs, etc. But I recommend travelling alone at night as rarely as possible. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent an average of $150 per week, but I went to clubs, stayed in hotels, and went shopping a lot. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | During the two-week internship, we had to pay $200 for our housing in the Hostel, which I didn't know until I was in Korea. However, it is a good deal because the school paid for half of it, and gave us food for our meals during that time. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be open to everything! Try all the food, learn some of the language, and make friends with Korean students! |
