Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Journey in search of Korea's beauty...that was successful! Past Review

By (Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/01/2013 to 06/20/2013 with

Study Abroad Programs in South Korea

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
CONFIDENCE, experience, navigational skills in the subways and buses, and more traveling to historical/cultural sites than some of my native Korean friends.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was an incredible way to dive into a country that has such rich history and culture. I don't know how else I would have learned everything I needed and have been wanting to know. Professor Peterson is the best instructor for this program because he knows Korea like the back of his hand!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved every place we stayed in because they were such different types of settings but they still offered 100% of the Korean cultural immersion experience.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

There were a lot more independent meals and travel expenses that I was not really expecting but it worked out pretty well in the end.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It varied a lot, so thats kind of hard to pin down; the least I spent a week was $50.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? As much as you can, wait till towards the end of the program to buy personal or family souvenirs! Not only does that help you budget what you need to buy, but you can have a better idea of what you want to buy and save room in your luggage.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

All the time! Every chance we could get, we were urged to practice. I arrived in the country after just finishing the Intermediate class at BYU but with little confidence in my ability to use what I knew. I gained so much confidence and practice that now I consider myself an Advanced Intermediate!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Korean 202
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Listen to songs in that language and, if you can, work on translating them yourself into English. Always be listening to conversations, TV, the radio, anything you can get in the language--both before and during your study abroad. It helps!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Our professor
  • Traveling EVERYWHERE
  • Language
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
  • Student selection
  • Scheduling
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish we could have gotten to know some of the local students better before visiting their universities, so that we'd skip the ice-breaking and could go straight to activities or language practice!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.