Best summer ever. Past Review
By A student (Trinity University) - abroad from 06/19/2016 to 07/21/2016 with
Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
100% worthwhile. Learned so much about the culture and people. I always considered myself an independent person, but I think Seoul gave me an independence I didn't know existed. I am not hesitate to travel anywhere in the world. I made fantastic friends who I plan to visit later this year. Seeing how a different culture lives shows you how people are alike and different, and just how important it is to understand each other.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I personally did not have hard classes due to my professor taking us on field trips many days around Seoul. Often times he taught us in museums and famous locations across Korea, so it was more hands on rather than paper/test learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program really takes care of its students. The staff is there for the students and did a phenomenal job of helping everything go smoothly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I thought the living arrangements were suitable and 100% fine. I had a double room, which comes with storage under the bed, desk and lamp, half of the closet. There is a bathroom in the room as well for both to share. |
| * Food: |
Since I am vegetarian it was tricky to find food, however I did it! Don't let this deter you from traveling! Bibimbap is a great option since it is mainly vegetables and rice. Maybe pick up some vitamins in the grocery store to make sure you get enough since Korea eats a lot of meat and carbs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very much in tune with the locals, due to my professor taking us out at least twice a week for field trips I became very familiar with public transportation via bus, subway, and taxi. It is all very manageable. Korea has a great subway app in english that can help plan your route as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did accompany a friend to the doctors twice, and found the Korean system to be quite easy. She didn't have any insurance, and was still able to be seen on a $15 fee visit, and then roughly $30 for antibiotics. |
| * Safety: |
Korea is very safe. I was never worried when going out late at night, or sightseeing during the day. Obviously don't leave your bags wide open when walking through the big markets, and don't walk home by yourself at night, but ultimately Korea is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Greatest experience of my life! Loved everyone I met. Grew a lot, made mistakes, got lost, and left a little piece of my heart in Seoul. |
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) |
This is really personal and completely depends on your standard of living. I found Korea to be relatively cheap in terms of food, ranging from $4-7 dollars a meal. However, I typically had coffee ($2.5- $5.5) and a banana for breakfast, a full lunch around $7, and usually dinner consisted of sharing a meal and snacking on cheap street food. If you are drinking you can expect to find cheap drinks in the connivence stores around $1.50-$2, and in bars $8+. Souvenirs for friends and family are quite inexpensive at around $1-$10, most t-shirts are $10. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stock up on the granola bar deals of 2+1, where you get 3 bars for $1.20, those can last you a good while. Fruit can seem expensive compared to the states, yet banana are very filling so don't hesitate. Spilt meals! Share 2-3 dishes between 3-4 people, you'll snack again later...you won't go hungry. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
If you took the language class you were encouraged to speak the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner's 2 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I suggest listening to a country's specific music, tv, and movies. That way you get a sense for what the language should sound like..often knowing what you should hear is more helpful than learning it from a book with proper pronunciation. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I'm thankful I brought toilet paper with me for the first night, if you don't you have to go to the CU drug store out of the main gate to buy some. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
