Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Everyone should study abroad once. Past Review

By (Social Work, Mount Mary University) - abroad from 02/22/2013 to 06/16/2013 with

ISA Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Worthwhile. I learned to be adaptive and flexible. I learned to land on my feet.

Review Photos

ISA Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great tutor help for Korean language. The teaching style in Korea definitely took some adjusting to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved Jaehoon and Jee Hye. They were awesome, and I miss them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms were great. It was clean and safe. There was a curfew though, but as international students we aren't held to that rule as much as the Korean students.

* Food:

I loved the food, it was affordable and delicious. I especially loved the mandu.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned so much Korean while I was there. I also joined the English Conversation Club.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Some of my friends needed to refill their prescription drugs (one for a disorder the other for contraception). From what they told me the cost was really affordable. Plus Konkuk University has a hospital on campus.

* Safety:

Great city. My friends and I would stay up til 1, and never had to worry about our safety. Wherever we went, there were always people around even at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Everything was affordable food wise. Seoul has a great public transportation so I spent very little on transportation. I just refill my metro card.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Convert money through the ATM not through the conversion tables. There is a Global ATM in the Konkuk Student Union.

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

ISA offer tutoring for Korean 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? none
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? Join a club. Talk to Korean. Make mistakes. Have fun!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The other American kids
  • The university
  • The excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Expand English Classes Offer
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have made a list of things that I wanted to do in South Korea. I felt like I didn't do enough while I was there. Nonetheless, I did a lot of things.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.