My semester at Korea University Past Review
By Momoko i (Political Science and Government., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Seoul - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at Korea University
it was a great opportunity for me. i got to meet many new people and specially i lerned about myself a lot through tha hard time i had. that was the biggest gain i had.i just would not choose the same program because it ruined my study habbit and grades.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
i learned some more korean and some new field i cant take in binghamton but overall it wasnt much. my motivation was not good enough and i had a hard time following specially when lectures not organized well. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
there was a really nice lady in the intl office and helped me a lot and cheered me up when i had a hard time but other workers seemed not so helpful. some of them looked very grumpy and when i lose my wallet and wrnt to ask for about ailien registration card, she said she dosent know. she just gave me a number of immgration office and told me to call and ask. i knew they would not speak english and indeed they didnt. so i had to ask for a help for my korean friends. the office was supporsed to help me but she even didnt try calling for me. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
its pretty nice and clean. i liked it a lot and had nice suitemates. but my room didnt have a window and was very stressful. i paid single room fee and its pretty expensive compared to others. the dorm has two sides and only my side's single room didnt not have a window. i didnt complain but it wasnt fair. also it was ainternational students dorm so mostly residents are exchange students. it was easy to make intl student friends but no chance to meet koreans. <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
local food was very nice and i liked it.there are many kind of restaurants around uni and the city so i didnt not have any problem for eating. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
it was very fun to meet new people from all over the world and socializing with them. but sometimes it went to much extent and bothered my studying habits. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
when i was there it was a time new flu were spreading. and i also got one. i had two flu fueing a semester and was sick often. there were many students who go a flu at that time. seoul is pretty safe just have to avoid the dangerous are like everywhere else. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | i spent about 10-15dollars so almost 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | everything is really cheap in korean and sometime i bought too much or ordered too much food. in the end im spending a lot and it can be almost same as im in US. its not cheap to cook in korea. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
i re-learned what i studied in binghamton and now i remember most of the basic korean. i could get around by myself for shopping, taxi, and the restaurant. but i feel like i could improve a lot better if i put more effort for extra studying. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
