Great Times in the Hermit Kingdom Past Review
By Caleb J (International Relations and Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/15/2015 to 12/20/2015 with
Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. I gained international experience, perspective, and understanding. I also made some lifelong friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
A lot of rote memorization. Long and uninspired lectures. Professors are a mixed bag. Native students put an incredible amount of pressure on themselves. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Never had a problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a goshiwon off campus. The rooms are small, especially for the price. However, the communities they build are one of the best parts of the exchange, and mine (CoCo Livingtel) was very close. We had a ton of fun. CoCo was very clean and the manager was a great guy. |
| * Food: |
Korean food is delicious and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Integrated pretty well, and their is a large foreign community. Koreans are generally pretty introverted though, it's easier if you're naturally outgoing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick once, the clinic on campus got me fixed up very quickly for $5, all medicine included. |
| * Safety: |
Seoul is by far the safest place I've ever lived. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
So much fun and so many good friends. It was great to experience a culture so different from my own. |
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) |
Korea is a first world country, and if you participate in the clubbing/party culture you can spend some money. I'd say it's comparable to the US, a little cheaper in some areas, like food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I went out pretty often and eat most of my meals at restaurants, so I spent $100-150/week. Sometimes more for really crazy weeks. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're going out, get soju at convenience stores for 1500won and drink it on the street instead of buying expensive drinks in crowded bars and clubs. Just as fun and way cheaper. |
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 |
Korean proficiency helps big time |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 Semesters of Korean |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make an effort to speak Korean early and often. It's very easy to get lazy as everyone speaks English. I did, and consequently my Korean didn't improve too much. It's a difficult language though; if you want to learn Korean, I'd recommend classes before AND during and staying two semesters instead of one. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | The better your korean, the better experience you'll have and the more local friends you'll make. Study! |
