Adventures abound Past Review
By MacKenzie Kirkham (Birmingham-Southern College) - abroad from 02/20/2019 to 06/22/2019 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Seoul - Korea University
I learned language skills, the ability to work and communicate with people, determination, and patience. It was definitely worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was difficult to get classes during the registration period. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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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? |
The program was very willing to help me through any culture shock, and did their best to make sure I knew the city and culture and felt at home here. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with healthcare other than a local pharmacy, which was very helpful and easy to use. |
| * Safety: |
I had only one issue with some shady people taking my picture, but they weren’t locals and the area and city were/are very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While there are many places I would love to go, the culture is so rich, the people here are so friendly, and I now consider Seoul my second home |
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) |
Everything here is very cheap, so a little money went a long way. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about $100 maximum on food, transportation, and other things for the week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Even though everything is cheap, be careful - it can add up wuickly |
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 |
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| 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? | 100 level course |
| 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? | Don’t be afraid to order in the language and communicate with the locals. They understand you’re learning and are very helpful. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | No matter how prepared you are, bad things will happen. Turn them into an adventure and put a positive spin on it! |
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.' |
