Life changing study abroad in Seoul Past Review
By Stephanie Chin (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) - abroad from 08/14/2017 to 12/22/2017 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Seoul - Korea University
I learned to be independent and push my boundaries. I gained new friends, and learned to not be afraid of new experiences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were interesting, but easy enough to balance, and I was able to focus more on traveling than on school. I took 19 semester units (25 quarter units?) and passed them all, while taking weekend trips to other countries! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
TEAN was AMAZING. They walked me through the visa application, housing, and course registration. I never had to worry about forgetting everything because they took care of everything, and reached out to make sure everything would go smoothly. In addition, but on site staff was so great. She was sweet and invested, and made sure she was there for anything we needed- from suggestions to a friendly shoulder. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Korea is soooooo safe- it was one of my favorite things! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
TEAN was so transparent and so good at taking care of all the details- it made my experience very stress free! |
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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were able to take Korean language classes through the university that helped me get around Seoul. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Kdramas! And walking around and talking to vendors. |
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? | I wish I had known to brush up on a little korean before I went- it would have made getting around a lot easier. |
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.' |
