Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Korea was definitely fun place to spend summer in & study at the same time. Past Review

By (Journalism & Radio-Television-Film, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/01/2015 to 08/07/2015 with

Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Internship experience was the biggest gain that I got.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, the classes were very interesting and I liked the learning experience and different cultural experience. However, Korea University staff tended to be either slow in their responses or disorganized in some ways. Also, some of the students at the program were rude, talking or using phones in classes and sometimes, cheating on exams. I really liked the professors and the classes that I took, and I enjoyed getting to experience different culture.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I wish they could have been more clear on some of the instructions. Especially with the internship program, we didn't get our placement until one week and half before the internship was supposed to start, which was very frustrating since I couldn't decide on which area of Seoul I needed to find a place to stay.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked it, very clean. Since I lived off campus, getting to school and going back home was a long transfer, but I enjoyed experiencing a "real Korean student life."

* Food:

The food in Korea was amazing. Especially since the food is so high quality and cheap in Korea and there are so many options, too.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was easy to navigate through Korea and to engage in different cultural experiences.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

With a whole MERS situation in Korea at the time, I think it went pretty well. Since I was there for internship + school and I had to go to work everyday right when MERS outbreak happened, I was freaking out a little, but it all turned out pretty well at the end.

* Safety:

Korea was very safe place and there were good transportation system even late at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I think around $100 a week? That included all the traveling around Seoul
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Korea has so many good and cheap local cafes, restaurants, hang-out places. Don't go to international franchises. I feel like Korean local places taste better and are also cheaper.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Internship availability
  • Classes with other international students
  • Local students on campus as staff
* What could be improved?
  • Communication from host unversity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think more about what was going on...the communication from Korea University was very slow

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 Linguist
You 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!