Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

What I needed and more. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/03/2017 to 06/23/2018 with

Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and a lot about myself that I believe staying in my comfort zone at Middlebury wouldn't have given me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Going to a big university from a small liberal arts college was very challenging for me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes they were quick to respond, other times not so much. I also didn't receive housing on-campus the first semester, which a lot of students end up having to deal with.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I did not like the dorms very much. I believe the cleaning ladies stole one of my things, too.

* Food:

Food on-campus was sold for breakfast and lunch and were not spectacular, but not bad.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I've never had the need to go to the health center, but my dorm-mates spoke highly of it.

* Safety:

South Korea is a very safe place, and I heard that Ewha has great security, but I felt like people took my things in the common areas a lot.

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

I would visit and have fun and not be in school if I were to visit Korea again.

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)

I didn't go out much and I bought a lot of simple foods that I ate every day.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? Level 2
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Food
  • Transportation
* What could be improved?
  • Financial Support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to speak Korean before going to Korea.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Korean Level 1
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Korean
Comments: It was extremely challenging. My professors only spoke in Korean and the textbooks were unhelpful. Lots of the time I found myself looking online for more help. They were kind, though, and the professors were always enjoyable.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Korean Level 2
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Even more difficult than Level 1, but I learned so much more useful grammar and vocabulary. Workload increased a lot though.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

English Syntax
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course broke me down. I could not comprehend anything taught, and the professor would put in exams and quizzes trick questions for the sake of checking if you're taking the next step, not just checking if you remember the material.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Drama
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: The professor was kind and the plays we read in class were very enjoyable. Workload and class structure could be comparable to Middlebury's.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

American Literature and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: The professor is extremely intelligent, but the quizzes and exams were extremely difficult and wasn't solely on our analytical thinking, but also memorization of every sentence of the books we read.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

17th and 18th Century Literature
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: The professor was intelligent, but it was all lectures and no discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Modern Korea Religion and Culture

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Topic and readings were interesting and the professor was also very knowledgeable, but the exams and quizzes were ridiculous. It seemed like the professor wrote the exam an hour before giving it out.
Credit Transfer Issues: