Most Amazing Experience of My Life! Past Review
By Jei K (Georgia State University) - abroad from 08/17/2011 to 12/17/2011 with
ISA Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea
I learned to take risks and be more confident in myself and my abilities. Living and studying in Asia got me out of my comfort zone and I discovered that I can immensely enjoy living in a different culture with different people like South Korea. Definitely one of the best decisions I have made in my life so far by studying at Korea University through Globalinks Learning Abroad.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The education/testing system is more rigorous than the American system in my opinion. Tests are not multiple choice, but rather essay style. No study guides either. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international student support office at Korea University is pretty helpful. The staff speaks english and can help assist with most of your academic issues. Also GlobaLinks provides resident staff who can also assist you for issues as needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
CJ International House is one of the nicest dorms I've ever stayed in! Very clean, hi-tech (room are keycard activated), and the cleaning staff cleans your dorm once a week! |
| * Food: |
Korean food is delicious! It can be spicy at times but there are plenty of other Korean dishes that have little to no spice. The bakeries and coffee shops there are amazing! Also if you ever need a taste of home, you can find places that sell foods such as Burgers, Pasta, Indian cuisine, Mexican, Sandwiches, etc. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Korea University provides a support group for international students called KUBA (Korea University Buddy Assistants) who help int'l students get integrated with Korean culture and their surroundings while there. Great way to meet people and make new friends with both other int'l students and local Korean students! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There is a clinic on campus in which the staff speaks english and provides medicine for super cheap! If you ever need more serious attention Yonsei University's Hospital is considered the best in the country (full english speaking staff) and is fairly close to Korea University. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt so safe in my life! Koreans are very honest people and the crime rate there is very low. There was never a time while there in which I didn't feel safe or comfortable. |
| 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) |
I spent more than I usually would as a student, but hey, you're abroad so you should have the time of your life and not worry about money too much. Set a budget for yourself if you need to and just stick with it (you can definitely have fun in Korea without spending a ton of money weekly. It just depends on your interests), otherwise just have fun and enjoy your time there! You deserve it! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250-500 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | As lame as this sounds, try to buy groceries and cook during the week! Saves so much money! Also, the convenience stores sell cheap, tasty food/snacks. Ask your resident staff for recommendations for free, fun places as there are always cool events going on in Seoul and the surrounding areas that are free for foreigners, but you just need to learn about them! |
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 |
While many Koreans can speak English, it is still in your best interest to use the language as much as you can, because you may end up in areas in which people known little to no English (usually when you travel outside of Seoul to more rural areas)! |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner Korean |
| 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 would recommend at least taking a beginner language course prior to going abroad and taking a language course while in the country to master the basics (such as grammar structure and basic phrases) and then build your vocabulary by interacting with your surroundings and the people. Also, the more Korean friends you have, the better your Korean will become! |
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? | Not about the program, but rather South Korea itself. I didn't know how much walking/stair climbing I would be doing until I got there. Definitely would have worked out a bit more before going! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
