Everything is foreign... but that's why it's so fun! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Good courses. The ones taught by Korean instructors were more interesting than the ones taught by other professors. Not too much work, but that was good, because it was a summer study and we would go out at night to explore the city instead of doing homework.

On-site administration of your program

The international office was very good at being there to solve all of our problems, but actually solving the problems sometimes took a little time. Sometimes we'd run into some language barriers, but just about everyone in the office spoke enough English to figure it out. Trying to rush anything that takes time like transcripts, registration, etc. is basically like trying to rush an old ajumma on a busy street.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorms were clean, well kept, and safe. They're at the top of a mountain, and have pretty good access to campus - you just have to get up there at the end of each day. Double room, private bathrooms, no kitchens. No visitors allowed, either.

Korean food is amazing, period, and usually pretty inexpensive for eating out. The cafeteria has food for 3000 won (or less), but it's usually the same stuff all the time, so you'll get tired of it. (It's pretty good for cafeteria food though.) You can eat out anywhere from 6000-20000 won per meal. The more touristy (read: English-speaking) areas will charge more, splitting with friends can help to decrease costs. If you plan on purchasing alcohol in a restaurant, plan on doubling your bill. Try everything, seriously. Play Korean food bingo and just walk into a restaurant and order something off the menu you can't read, and then eat it. Makes your stay more interesting.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

While many students on the university campus can speak English, and same with shopkeepers in tourist areas, past that you're SOL. Many Koreans I came in contact with who weren't used to American English wouldn't understand your accent. Speaking English in a slightly Koreanized accent is key. Konglish can get you pretty far if you can read hangul. As for the culture, find a few friends and embrace it together. Everything is pretty different, from the subway to the showers, but if you try your best to fit in and say sorry when you mess up, you'll be fine. Most Korean people are friendly enough not to get mad at you and sometimes even will excitedly practice English with you. They can be really smiley if you try. Others with ignore you or call you "alien" and don't feel rude at all staring at you on the subway or in public. It is what you make of it.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Past giving you tylenol, the school nurse can't do too much. There's a hospital just down the mountain in Chungmuro that has doctors that will serve you, but expect to wait around an hour to be seen. Know a few key words in Korean to help your doctor in case they don't speak any English. Pointing and nodding and looking in pain can go a long way if you don't. Make sure to get the vaccinations that are recommended. Especially in the summer, there are a lot of mosquitos. Also of note: Korean mosquitos look like American flies. Don't make the mistake of thinking your room just has flies and waking up to 100 bites in various locations.

Seoul is very safe. As many Koreans will tell you, the most unsafe places are the places with tourists and non-Koreans. It is still a big city, so keeping safety habits is good. Of course, don't leave money around, don't go with strangers who seems shady, be careful while intoxicated. But in general, most people were more afraid of crime than had heard of crime. It's a Korean thing also that if something is on the ground, it's untouchable. You'll find a lot of trash and litter and other things along the sidewalks and streets. Even if it's something a little valuable looking, they won't pick it up. You'll sometimes find these 'dirty' drunken men snoozing along the sidewalk with their briefcases in the early mornings and no one has stolen from them.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Food was pretty cheap if you were smart, and the extras you buy depend on how much you shop or how much you drink. The subway rides are 1050 won a ride, and so whenever you travel from campus you need to think of that, too.

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• Dorm
• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Exploring the culture/area
• Making international friends
• Eating a ton of local food

• Better accessibility with trips
• Korean summer is a horrid time

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