Past Review
By Sebastian K (Economics., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Seoul - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at Korea University
I learned that Korea is a place to enjoy life with lots of friends; however, I admit that I was not able to balance work and play. I ended up playing more than working (school). Korea is a good place!
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. |
The workload was fine except for Financial Management. Teachers would sometimes speak in Korean to help the locals in courses that are supposed to be taught in English; however, I was fine with it at times since I can understand an adequate amount of Korean. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Woojin Rhee who is in charge of OIP was helpful to all students. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Anam-dong CJ International Dormitory was a nice place to live; however, my only complaint is that there is a long, steep hill to walk over in order to get there. <br /><br /> Everything was fine except that there are lots of strict rules. You cannot bring the opposite sex to your dorm room and you cannot drink alcohol inside the dormitory. |
* Food: |
You will never find brown rice or whole grain bread. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Welcoming party for exchange students was the best! |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
The health issues weren't exactly addressed although the university provides their own hospital. When I did go to the hospital, they provided an international branch which allowed non-Korean speakers to get treatment. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $140 a week. Transportation per a week (including taxi/bus/subway): $20 Laundry: $6 Food: $20-25 a day |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Laundry. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced my language with my family and others who are not able to speak in Korean. Yes, I had to use Korean everyday although there are a lot who speak conversational English. Most of the students, however, are well prepared to take courses taught in academic English. |
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Expect to eat lots of spicy food, drink lots of alcohol, and if you're going to a class with lots of group reports/presentations (in English), the students will give you burden of correcting/writing the whole paper as well as doing the presentation. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Financial Management |
Course Department: | BUSS20702 |
Instructor: | Cho, Jin Wan |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | It was challenging because of the workload that the professor provided. The teacher was very experienced in teaching finance. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | No issues as of yet. I would suggest this course to other students. The finance professor is also flawless in speaking English. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Marketing Management |
Course Department: | BUSS20505 |
Instructor: | Yoo, Wan Sang |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | It was fun learning marketing - the teacher was very passionate about this course. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | No issues as of yet. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Intermediate Korean I |
Course Department: | IFLS 11000 |
Instructor: | Lee Yoo Kyoung |
Instruction Language: | Korean |
Comments: | The course was a review of what I learned in Intermediate Korean I last Fall 2009 semester. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | This is a retake. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Microeconomics (Theory) |
Course Department: | BUSS20105 |
Instructor: | Kim, Beom Soo |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | The class was all right. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | No issues as of yet. |