People are getting tired of me talking about how awesome it was Past Review
By Charlotte Buck (Vanderbilt University) - abroad from 06/27/2017 to 08/03/2017 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
I learned so much from the people I met, the courses I took, the places I went, and the experiences I had. I grew so much, and now have more confidence in my abilities to be an independent, adventurous person, even when taking large leaps outside of my comfort zone. This experience was worth every penny and every minute I spent worrying before getting there.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes and professors were incredibly interesting, but not overwhelming academically, which I liked because then I could spend more time learning by experience in a new country rather than stressing about coursework. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was so well run and the administration made it known that they were excited to have us and wanted to help us in any way they could to ensure that we had a fun, safe, and enriching time. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was clean and accessible, and I liked that the people who I came with through my program were living near me. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing and very cheap, with lots of different options. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being paired with a buddy who was a full-time KU student was a plus, because she showed us around the town of Anam, took us to her favorite restaurants, and taught us little cultural nuances that I otherwise wouldn't have known. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues while I was there, but I knew where the resources were and how to access them if I needed them. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, even roaming the streets at night. Everything is very well lit and clean, and there were always other students around. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I was so nervous going to a new country without knowing a single person on my trip, but I wanted that challenge to push me out of my comfort zone. I can now say that it was successful and one of the best experiences of my life. Korea is a place that I fell in love with so quickly, and I hope one day to return knowing a lot more now than I did when I first got there. |
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 cheap if you knew where to find it! The food, the shopping, the transportation- everything was manageable on a student budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid going to the tourist-trap street food and shopping districts more than once for the experience. There are places just like that that are cheaper! |
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 |
While I was only a beginner, I was encouraged to use my minimal skills whenever I was ordering food and whenever I talked to a local. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Make yourself uncomfortable, and know that showing that you are trying is all that people expect. |
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 |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It is HOT and HUMID during the summer. Bring maximum 2 pairs of pants. Also it rains on and off a lot, so an umbrella is super helpful to keep with you at all times. |
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. |
