An Unforgettable Summer (Really! Highly Recommend) Past Review
By Kelly Huang (SUNY - Binghamton) - abroad from 06/25/2018 to 08/01/2018 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
I'm not open to trying new things, and it really has opened my eyes to the world around me. Though I am still hesitant to talk to strangers, I am much less so. Smiling goes a long way. The program all in itself is the highlight of my year, and I think about it constantly. I can't wait to go back to Korea soon!
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. |
I took two classes that were both very interesting to me. I took Korean Language, Culture, & Society with Sungdai Cho, which was a class I didn't mind attending. I also took a Korean Language course, and the professor was so supportive and always willing to help. The classes weren't particularly intense because it is a summer program, but I did make an effort in these courses. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was always easily accessible, and though I never really had to visit them myself, it was nice to see them always readily available. They also emailed a lot (which I don't mind!), which just shows how actively involved they were in regards to student affairs. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dormitories lived up to my expectations, if not more. I appreciate the weekly bathroom cleaning. Thank you so much staff! I always felt safe walking back to the dormitories late at night because of the locked doors and the security guard. |
| * Food: |
The food is good and better than what I expected. They were very filling and provided large portions. I had a friend who is a vegetarian, and it is thoughtful that the staff were able to accommodate for her diet. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I like the idea of the KU Buddy System, and that was how I met most of my friends at the program. KUISC provided a lot of events, and some of them integrated Korean culture. Though I did not attend all of them, I appreciate the effort to get us to understand the culture. I loved the activities that I did attend, especially to Lotte World and the Baseball Game. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe despite being out late at night. The streets are generally busy even until late at night. The only thing that was worrisome for me is the closing of public transportation, though that isn't a safety issue. Seoul's nightlife is amazing and is an experience all in itself. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I think the program was well put together and provided a lot of resources for the students despite the short duration. They provide us with so many opportunities that my other friends who studied abroad in other places were not able to get. I miss KUISC so much, and I would LOVE to do it again. |
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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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 |
Just being Seoul itself has encouraged me to use the language. I was actually able to meet some Korea University students who were mentors for the KU Buddy System, and they always tried to teach me new words and phrases! |
| 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? | Just go outside and try your best to speak. I definitely messed up a lot, but simply the effort to try to speak the native language comes a long way and is something many appreciate. Reading all the signs and menus and saying them helps too! |
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
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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? | I wish I knew about the hills before going to the program so I could mentally prepare myself (I lost a lot of weight from walking around campus this summer, it was a workout haha). Other than that, there isn't anything that I can think of. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
