Another Home Past Review
By A student (Birmingham-Southern College) - abroad from 02/18/2019 to 06/23/2019 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Seoul - Korea University
Every country will have its great qualities and its really bad qualities. It took me a while to adjust to the differences but I eventually fell in love with country after I decided to rely on myself and show myself around the country more. Exploring the city showed me so much culture and I became much more confident and independent. It was worthwhile, but also difficult. I do not think people cover the difficult parts of studying very often but its important to know.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Always on Call when needed |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Clean dorms with clean kitchens |
| * Food: |
May not be a lot of variety for people who don't eat meat or don't like spicier food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Knowing a little of the language helps you get involved more but Korean students will actively avoid unless they are in KUBA. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health Care is extremely nice and cheap. Universal health care system is probably the best compared to the American health care system. |
| * Safety: |
I did not ONCE feel unsafe in the city of Seoul. I even lost various things and either had them returned to lost and found or left exactly where I left it. Keep normal precautions, of course. However, it is incredibly safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose a program that takes us around South Korea more often. One program, ISA, took students to Busan and Japan for around the same price. I still went to both, but it cost me more. |
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) |
Food and personal items like shampoo etc. are very cheap. If you like to shop, you might spend over $150 or more a week but if you keep a budget, you can spend as little as $50 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $50-$100 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Put money aside for food and carry cash to pay with. Use your card less because the cost adds up. |
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 |
Had a crash course for us. |
| 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? | Start studying on your own with apps so you get a head start and practice, practice, practice. |
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? | THE PEOPLE WILL IGNORE YOU. It is just how the culture is and if they do not ignore you, they stare at you like you're from outer-space. Learn some of the language and try to speak it when you can because that is appreciated and will help you make friends or even get help. Drop your expectations. No place is perfect and Seoul is definitely no exception. |
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.' |
