A Semester at Korea University June 11, 2024
By A student (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/22/2024 to 06/22/2024 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Seoul - Korea University
I think I learned a lot about Korean culture in daily life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were mostly dependent on exam grades. There weren't many assignments or office hour opportunities. Despite having classes in English, some of the professors struggled with English or used a lot of Korean during the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very accessible and helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms were nice, but the walk up the hill to the dorms is difficult. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many English speakers, so it was easy to use English. There weren't a ton of opportunities to feel immersed. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fast and accessible compared to the US. |
| * Safety: |
Overall I felt safe. Future students should just be careful to be aware of motorbikes when walking outside. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Even though I had bad experiences with professors, the program was fun! The dorms at KU are in a decent location with lots to do around, and KU has fun events like the festivals and KUBA groups. |
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) |
Easily, since the food is quite cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can go to stores like Homeplus (a 30ish min walk or 15 min commute) to buy things instead of the convenience stores. The quality is also higher than Daiso. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 0 |
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? | You will be walking a lot! |
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.' |
