A Koreans perspective of Korea Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload is fair. Grading system is fair as well, but I felt that it was unnecessary to not be graded on the Ewha curve. All student should be graded fairly. Teaching methods did not go too well. Teacher were unprepared. They were not willing to teach. Instead, they were teaching because they had to, it was their profession. Teachers should teach because they love teaching. Ewha needs to have better educators who know the necessary teaching skills to engage their students to learn more. Then they would need not to smash the knowledge into our heads. But the students here know how to work hard. You sort of get hyped in doing well in class.

On-site administration of your program

Administration was not at all organized. I could have disappeared and they would not have known. I heard about some friends who were exchange students but were categorized as Ewha students. How does that happen? So they were put in a dorm for Ewha students. I would not have been happy if I was in her position. Administration need a lot of improvement. Especially the peace buddy program. The exchange program was to pair students up with peace buddies, buddies to help set the student up, show students around, inform exchange students on where to get supplies, etc.. My peace buddy never contacted me. I never got any guidance or help. I was lucky to understand a bit of Korean to get around. I have no idea what is going on with the peace buddy program, but they make it sound nice in the beginning, only to dump you once you are in the exchange program. Not all peace buddies are like that of course, but I know many exchange students who were left to figure everything out on their own, in a foreign country. Not the best program by far.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Security was nice. There were cameras. Rooms were big. There was no kitchen, so people who were vegetarians could not cook their own foods. I had to buy utensils, plates, cups, all the necessary items because the I-house did not provide them. If you are sensitive to dry air I suggest buying a humidifier.

Dining outside can be very cheap, but you have to know cheap means unhealthy, and MSG spiked. But eating out is really good. It is important to eat out, otherwise you will miss out on the cultural experience. If you cook in on a regular check with your university if they have a kitchen, especially if you are a vegetarian. Koreans do not know what being vegetarian means, so restaurants will not cater to you. Restaurants, especially near the university, are to take your order and get your order and thats it. They do not stand by you to make sure you are okay. If you need something, be upfront, and yet polite. Also, make sure you know what you are eating and where its from, especially meat. I would suggest eating Korean products because they are very fresh.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was only one farm experience the buddies organized. I thought that was nice. The buddies did organize parties, but I did not attend them because they served alcohol. I am not against alcohol, but at every party? C'mon. They should have organized alcohol free parties, or at least some. The main attraction to these parties was alcohol. I understand that alcohol is apart of Korean culture, but is that how you want to represent Ewha students?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Free medicine was nice, but I don't think diagnosis was accurate. You just sit, tell the doctors what is wrong, they click a couple of computer buttons and voila your medicine was ready. I am not sure if that is how I want things to work, if I were really sick. On the other hand it was fast and convenient.

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

I was lucky to have my family here and a couple Korean friends. Otherwise, I would not have been able to practice Korean. Ewha has a class, that is not mandatory, for Korean. Because I enrolled for class I was able to practice Korean. I do not know how other students who did not enroll practiced Korean. They should have a separate program for Korean language exchange and learning.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• International Students

• The people who were exchange students.

• People administrating the exchange program.
• More opportunities to travel with Korean natives.
• More opportunities to exchange with Korean natives.