My adventure where I truly came to understand and believe in myself. Past Review
By Abigail Carey (Covenant College) - abroad from 02/20/2018 to 06/22/2018 with
ISA Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea
I have wanted to go for 5 years when I started getting in touch with my Korean roots. So, it was definitely worthwhile, where I became even more familiar with the language and culture. I got to do so many cool things and loved every second there! I took opportunities and adventures that I never would have before and really pushed myself to be fully there.
Review Photos
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. |
Only some classes were at a high level of rigor. The rigor was not due to assignments, but rather the amount of knowledge required for exams. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very strict. Somewhat understandable, but at times it became too much. Good overall for accomodations. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I am half-Korean, so I wanted to immerse myself as much as possible. I made sure to put myself out in the culture, whether physically or in language speaking. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We were aided by the ISA whenever there was a problem. I did not personally have any encounters with the healthcare, but I know that some things were difficult. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The staff helped us a lot and truly wanted the best for us. I became friends with them easily and hope to see them again on that side of the world. |
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) |
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| 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? | First thing is to find your favorite foods with the lowest prices. Find a variety of places like this, so you don't get tired of the food. Take a week or two to get acquainted with what places you frequent and what you like to eat/drink then set a price and stick to it. |
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 |
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| 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? | I only studied alone, so I had never taken a course. |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. People will be kind about your level if they see you're sincerely trying. They will want to help. Try your hardest to use it at all times. I kept a journal on my phone of my daily activities, but I only wrote in the foreign language, so on my off-times I was able to practice when I was not in a speaking situation. |
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? | That many of the students would treat me as an exchange student and would therefore not put as much effort into friendships as I did because they knew I was leaving. So, don't let it worry you. |
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.' |
