Exchange in South Korea: A country I knew little about but learned to love. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was a little bit less then you would typically expect at Fordham, allowing you some extra time to experience Korean culture. The grading system was similar to Fordham's, and I found that my grades were the same or higher than they are at Fordham. The teaching methods are slightly different, with more in-class lecturing, less-in class participation, and more outside research and learning.

On-site administration of your program

The Host Country program administration was wonderful. They were very accessible and knowledgeable about American higher education and where I was coming from. They also knew all international students by name. My expectations were definitely met. They even offered a great weekend field trip to Andong city outside of Seoul to visit a Korean folk village and see a traditional Korean mask dance.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The neighborhood is extremely safe, I never felt like I was in danger. Like New York City, the area of Seoul in which Sogang is located is well lit and busy even in the middle of the night. The university is located right in Sinchon which is full of vibrant nightlife and plenty of things to do. There are also plenty of stores, movie theaters, cafes, restaurants, etc. All of my classes were a 5 minute walk from the dorm. I needed to bring sheets to settle in, but they were also being offered upon move-in.

The Gonzaga cafeteria offers a western and a Korean option at every meal. Most people were always able to find something that they could eat. However, there are also plenty of other options in Gonzaga Plaza right across from the dorm, and there are a multitude of places to eat in Sinchon.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Like I said earlier, one of the most memorable cultural field trips was the trip to Andong. While there we got to visit a traditional Korean folk village and see a traditional Korean mask dance. We also visited one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Korea, which was really exciting. There are so many amazing cultural sites to see in Korea, there is no way you can see them all!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't need any vaccines specifically for this program that I hadn't already received. While on the program there was one night when my roommate got really sick. The program was very helpful with addressing this issue. Two of the RA's came with me to take my roommate to the hospital and the staff contact for international students living in the dorm met us at the hospital to help. I felt very taken care of.

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

The foreign language component is not required to do this program. It is up to each student if they would like to study Korean while they are abroad or not. However, the Korean Language Education Center teaches challenging classes that really improve students speaking skills, and I would recommend it to every student doing this program. I was able to practice the language with my Korean buddy and my Korean friends. I did not need to use the host country language in my everyday interactions, but it did make my cultural experience in Korea more enriching. Most people, especially college-aged, do speak English.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students
• Local Students