My Time in South Korea June 30, 2025
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/22/2025 to 06/24/2025 with
Study Abroad Programs in South Korea
1) Learning and adapting to a new culture 2) Living in a new country by myself 3) New knowledge for my interest of study
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I did my study abroad with TEAN at Korea University. For the most part, all my courses were interesting. However, the learning style was different for me. It tends to be a 75-minute-long lecture. I felt like I was just retaining information and not learning. There was a lack of interaction with my peers and a space that fostered participation, whether via sharing out or asking questions. The quality of education did not personally meet my expectations. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The TEAN staff was great. They communicated with us via KakaoTalk and the WorldStrides app. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a double (there were two rooms, a double and a single). The room was spacious and had a lot of storage area. I had to get used to how low the bed is compared to back home and the open-concept bathroom style. There was a shower room and toilet area that each had a door. However, the sink was just in the open (you can see it when you enter the dorm), so I wish there was more privacy. Moreover, there was mold on the blinds and window. Also, I lived in CJ International House, which is on top of a hill, so I did not look forward to walking up every day. You can catch bus 20 though. |
| * Food: |
There is a cafeteria on top of CU. Some people eat there regularly and there are some who just eat out, which was what I did. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was okay. I was just a guest in the host country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to pay for the NHIS, but I did not have any experience with healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
It was pretty safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I learn a lot by studying away from home for a semester. However, it was not easy at the same time. TEAN was good, so maybe a different program through TEAN. |
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) |
It was okay. The cost of things is definitely cheaper than in the U.S. However, it does catch up. I create a Google sheet to keep track of my spending. The South Korean government requires a person who is studying aboard for a semester to show proof of having $5,000, and I think that is reasonable after my stay in the country. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Lowest: $140, On Average: $200, Highest: $300-$400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Beside like the first week, give yourself a budget for each week (keep track of which ways work best for you). Make sure to put aside money for health insurance (pay on time to avoid fees, if you don't receive any bills, call the place - English is available) and for emergencies. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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? | There is a lot, so I'll list a few. 1) I wish I knew more about the cultural differences in the education system. 2) Korea is not really accessible. There are a lot of stairs, hills, the walkways are not always in the best condition. Although I am able-bodied, I twisted my knee three times, and it was difficult to navigate every day (e.g. getting food, going to classes). 3) From an outsider's perspective, some food that I expected to be savory was quite sweet. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
