Finding my Seoul Past Review
By Danara (Cedar Crest College) - abroad from 03/01/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
Seoul Women's University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I liked it so much that I am planning on going back to Korea for graduate school and am thinking about possibly immigrating there.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses taught in english were easy but at the same time the tests were difficult because the language was so indirect I couldn't tell what the questions were asking. The Korean courses were really amazing though and I learned a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration wasn't involved much but there were in the middle of a staffing change |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I found my own housing and lived off campus which I really enjoyed |
| * Food: |
Korea has good food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think living off campus helped |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an eye problem and got treated for acne while I was there. I waited less than 5 minutes in each case. The visit for the eye problem was $10 and the one for acne was $40 including medications. Also got new glasses, they did they eye test and then I came back an hour later to pick up the new glasses they had made. |
| * Safety: |
Korea is safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Loved it |
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) |
I spent around $100 per week but I was commuting and living in my own apartment so it probably could be done cheaper |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set aside a certain amount each week. When you don't have plans with people try to save, going out is a big part of Korean culture and its where you'll spend the most money. |
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 |
I took a 20 hours per week course the first semester which got me up to the level where I could have a conversation. Second semester I had courses in grammar and speaking. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none. I knew the alphabet and some greetings |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Teach yourself the Korean alphabet and the pronunciation. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | How difficult it would be to set up a bank account and my phone |
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! |
