Lifelong experiences and lifelong friends! Past Review

By Eli Bowles (Maryland Institute College of Art) - abroad from 06/21/2018 to 08/04/2018 with

Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained that Korea truly is a beautiful country with many things to learn with a creative rich cultural background. We have may things to cherish from a country with such perseverance. Studying abroad opens your eyes to a greater existence that teaches you about the significance of life.

Review Photos

Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus 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.	rigorous, challenging, appropriate learning materials ready to prepare you for studying abroad.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	My school diligently took time to talk to me about receiving credits for my hard work. They understood my need to take classes in a different country to further expand my knowledge for wanting to experience another culture and different studies.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The living conditions were Phenomenal! There was plenty of room for me to have time to myself and it was always clean. The staff was very kind and diligent in serving us and took our safety very seriously.
* Food:	The food at Korea university was okay. It is above average compared to many home universities but the korean food in the area was to die for! It was amazing anywhere you went and there are so many places to eat around the university and dorms.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt very integrated to the local culture. The people were very kind to foreigners and made us feel very welcome.It was even better once you went out on your own and experienced Korean culture for all its worth!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I did not have any issues with health in korea but i have no doubt the RAs would have taken it in their hands to guide you somewhere where you could be helped.
* Safety:	The safety at the dorms was superb! the security guards were always on alert. I had zero problems navigating around the city and never had any issues with anyone! Seoul is a very safe city to walk around in and you'll never have any problems getting around anywhere!
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I loved my time a Korea University! I made special friends that gave me a once in a lifetime experience in a beautiful country. I made friends with locals, with internationals, and my fellow americans. Together we made memories and created stories that we will cherish and hold onto for a long time.

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 was able to live on a students budget very easily but i definitely took some prior organization time to really put down where i was going to spend money. Students can very easily live on this budget with the availabability and convienece of food and marts in Korea.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I spent money on other non KU monitored trips. Maybe around 20-30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	try putting away a section of money each week to save up and try visiting other places outside of seoul! keep a money tracking app to spend money wisely!

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	I took korean language course that really expanded my use of the language and on the KU campus it is very easy to use english and stay comfortable. Off campus it really gives you an oppurtunity to test your language skills and if you mess up people are still very kind to help out foreigners
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Intermediate
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 some friends outside of KU! they can help you integrate into Korean culture faster!

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
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	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?	Korean food Making friends Learning a lot from the eye opening classes
* What could be improved?	Organization of the trip to and from the airport dorming
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish that i could have studied a bit more korean to help connect more with the locals.

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 Urbanite A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	watercolor
Course Department:	art
Instructor:	Kathleen King
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Professor King was prepared and ready to teach students to strive to their potential. She was always ready to teach materials objectivly and the curriculum greatly improved my skills to the point where i am so grateful for the techniques she has shown me. She has made me a better artist.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no, i did not have trouble transferring credits. I recommend talking to your advisor and professors at your home institutions so they are prepared to take credits at KU so you can receive benefits fro your hard work.