Finding Where I Belong: A Future Teachers Adventures Past Review
By Erin Toole (Georgia State University) - abroad from 06/25/2018 to 08/02/2018 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
I personally had a lot of hesitation going into this experience. For so long, I have wanted to teach English in Korea, but when I hopped on my plane, I was afraid that it wasn't going to feel right living there. I was wrong. I learned a ton about myself as a traveler/ an adult and about a culture that I love so dearly. The biggest thing that I gained from this experience though is the reassurance that Korea is where I need to be, where I want to spend the rest of my life. I would say that it was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took a class required for my degree, but way out of my comfort zone. It was a struggle, but I learned a lot and have fun while doing it! Both that and my Korean class were incredibly worthwhile and fun! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Every time I needed help or had a question, the staff was happy to help. One of the RAs even helped me order McDonald's one night! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Global House, and the hill was something that I wasn't expecting. However, I was able to lose a bunch of weight walking up and down everyday! |
| * Food: |
The food around and on campus is great! I can't say anything about the meal plans, but Mom's Touch and the Book Cafe are two that I highly recommend! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Having the option to do the cultural events was a great idea. It let us go out and experience stuff first hand, but also let us rest when we needed it. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any experience with the Health Care, but I do appreciate how close we were to the hospital! |
| * Safety: |
I felt really safe around campus at night. I felt a lot safer there than I do in downtown Atlanta. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Korea University was the perfect place for me. I felt so at home, and when I move to Seoul, I actually want to attend Graduate School at KU. The staff went out of their way to make this experience fun and adventurous. I was able to step out of my shy little comfort zone and fulfill one of my life long dreams to travel the world. ISC was an amazing experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. |
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 did a lot of exploring, and I find that living in the city was very affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $200 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find coin norebangs around you. There are a bunch near campus. They are cheaper and just as fun. Don't eat KBBQ for every meal, and avoid taking taxis. Those cost start to pile up. Try not to buy a ton of extra stuff. I had to mail some of my stuff back, and it cost me a pretty penny. |
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 |
My entire Korean class was taught in Korean, and it was challenging. However, it really helped me advance my language skills. It really motivated me to practice with locals as well! |
| 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's Korean Class E |
| 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? | Start learning a bit of vocabulary before you leave. Listen to Korean music, and watch Korean dramas. Also, try to use your Korean as much as possible outside of class, like with taxi drivers, restaurant owners, and shop employees. Also, MAKE FRIENDS! They help a lot! |
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? | I wish that I knew how much I would miss it and how accustom I would become to how life was in Korea. Reverse culture shock had a pretty big hold over me when I got back, but now, I'm ready to go again! |
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. |
