Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Self care needs to be a priority. Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/25/2019 to 06/22/2019 with

Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and the importance of self-care and good mental health. Other than that, most of my time was spent on classes, homework, preparing for presentations/group work, doing presentations, worrying about classes and presentations, worrying about exams, failing exams and just school in general.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We're not that responsive and did not reply immediately.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very. I enjoyed where I lived. I rented an apartment next to the school and it was very convenient, safe and foreigner-friendly.

* Food:

I loved the food!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

But I would say it's necessarily my fault. The natives were very kind and welcoming. I just had too much on my plate to focus and integrate on the culture at hand, I was also very homesick, so that also made it hard.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My health care was easily accessible. I just never had to use it.

* Safety:

I would say it is very safe. We just had to take precaution when going to clubs or bars and not take drinks from strangers because sexual assault and rape was very common in those areas.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I did not like the intensity of the classes. The classes were so demanding I didn't have time to travel and experience cool things in the foreign country. And because the classes were so demanding and hard, a lot of my friends and I were under so much stress that our mental health started declining and some of my friends even contracted a disease from the high level of stress she was under. It is not an ideal program for exchange students. It didn't feel like an exchange semester because I was constantly overwhelmed by work and assignments. I didn't have time to do the things exchange semesters provided, I didn't have time for anything but schoolwork. I don't recommend the university. Also the class selections are just horrid, the exchange students get the leftovers and we don't even have that much control over the classes we could take. We have to take whatever is leftover and sometimes it's not a lot. They're just terrible, demanding classes that people refuse to take and we get stuck taking. I would definitely return back to Korea, but I would never go back to Korea University.

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 didn't have issues with money. Everything was very cheap there.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? My friends and I ate out a lot because it was cheaper to do so then buying groceries. But it wasn't cheap either. So I spent a lot of money on food, most of my money went towards it.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Being in Korea
  • The food
  • The natives
* What could be improved?
  • Classes
  • The lack of involvement from the exchange student administration
  • Class registration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not choose Korea University, try other universities!!!!!!

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!