Semester in Seoul Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload didn't seem like it was too much to handle. I took 12 credit hours (4 classes), and I felt like it was appropriate considering it was my first time abroad. The material wasn't substantially different from anything that would've been taught at my home university. Aside from keeping up with readings, the only graded assignments most of my classes had consisted of a midterm and final. Most classes also took attendance. My professors spoke English very well and were very polite and willing to assist whenever I had questions. My main grievance stems from the process of registering for classes - it seems that everyone is allowed to sign into the website to register all at once as soon as it opens up, so I was put on a queue to enter the website. This prevented me from getting some of the initial classes I wanted to take. I didn't use the library as much or other on-campus resources besides meeting up with friends to study. Overall, my educational experience was great though!

On-site administration of your program

Korea University seems like it really does care about the international students, and they made this pretty clear from the beginning of the semester. As international students, we were automatically enrolled in a program called KUBA (Korea University Buddy Assistants), in which we were assigned to a specific buddy that would help us around campus. I think I recalled meeting with him only a handful of times before the midterm, until we inadvertently stopped talking (sad face). Aside from hanging out at assigned times as a group with other KUBA members, I never really saw my buddy or other group members. Anyways, the few times I needed help with anything involving school administration, or even my alien registration card, I was able to figure it out by going to the international office.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in the CJ International House, so my review will be about my experience there. For the price (about $2000 USD for a single, with a shared common area and bathroom), I figured that it would be nothing special, and I was right! I was provided with a bed, a desk, and a closet. Be warned, the bed is harder than what you'd be accustomed to in the West (beds in general were like that for me anywhere in Korea). The room itself was PRETTY small, leaving just enough space for yourself to walk in and out of the room. During the winter, it would take a while for the heaters to heat up the place. And during the spring/summer, there were problems with bugs in the dorms. I did appreciate that our bathroom was cleaned for us, and it was very easy to get to know people from other countries at the dorm. However, you aren't allowed to have visitors past the lobby, or past a certain time. So it's not like a dorm experience you might be accustomed to.

There are options EVERYWHERE. You don't have to go around looking for places to eat. Just walk around the neighborhood, or go to any other place. The food is really cheap and really good. Everything from locally owned restaurants, to food trucks, to international brands, Seoul has it all. I'm pretty sure the bulk of my spending consisted of buying food. Did I mention that it's really cheap?

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I arrived pretty early, about three weeks before my program was supposed to begin. By the time I left, it felt like I was leaving home again. I made numerous friends while at KU, both Korean and non-Korean. I visited palaces, walked along ancient city walls in Seoul, tried more foods than I ever could have imagined, and visited traditional outdoor markets. I would constantly spend the night at some of my Korean friends' places with their families, and be able to get to know them on a very personal level, despite the language barrier. By extension, I also experienced eating a typical Korean breakfast pretty much weekly (nothing like American breakfasts). I visited PC rooms to hangout with friends if I wanted a break from schoolwork, or just hopped on a train if I wanted to see something new. I was able to attend concerts and experience nightlife to the fullest. There was never a dull moment for me around Seoul.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had some respiratory problems during a particular week, so my friend's mother suggested that I go see a doctor. The doctor that we went to didn't seem to speak English, so my friend had to translate my symptoms for me (his English ability wasn't the best, mind you). I was told I didn't have health insurance, even though I did - although I probably didn't go to the right type of office in the first place. So, I get to the doctor, and I'm diagnosed as "having some problem that should be looked at as soon as I get back to the U.S," according to the doctor. In the meantime, because of my "lack" of insurance, I had to pay about $12 for a prescription and $8 for an office visit. The prescription itself was a cocktail of 7 pills, to be taken 3 times per day, for a cough. So, bottom line, try to find an English speaking doctor if you can only speak English. Also, wear a mask if you have any pre-existing respiratory problems, like me. The air is probably much more polluted than what you're accustomed to (there was one day in particular when Seoul was the second most polluted city in terms of breathable air, behind Beijing).

I never once feared for my life walking around Seoul late at night. Likewise, I never feared North Korea's rhetoric - life around me continued as normal.

For what it's worth, KU became a part of my identity and whenever I go back to visit Seoul in the future, I'm likely to go out of my way to visit the campus, because my semester abroad was so memorable.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Although I mentioned that food is fairly cheap, I was pretty bad with budgeting because of how much my friends wanted to go out to eat, or go to bars, etc. Beware of all the options available to you - it might be hard to avoid the large amounts of food you'll be exposed to. If you anticipate that you'll eat alot before you go, try to save some money before the program.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Dorm

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• International Students

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• Local Students
• International Students

• Cultural experience
• Easy to get around
• Food

• On-campus housing