I miss you, Ulsan! Past Review
By Sarah R (English Language and Literature, Lewis-Clark State College) - abroad from 08/27/2015 to 08/27/2018 with
University of Ulsan: Ulsan - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was more worthwhile that I can explain. I gained so much confidence and so many useful skills. If you have the chance to go, please go.
Review Photos
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. |
I participated in the Intensive Korean Language Program. I was able to complete all of the language requirements for my degree in just one year. My Korean language teachers were amazing. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Mr. Jung was my adviser at Ulsan. He's fantastic! If you go and he's still the adviser, I recommend taking some time every week or every other week to check-in with him. He's there to chat if you need help with anything or if you just want to chat about you're experiencing in Korea. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The International Dormitory is great. It's for women only though. You'll share a room with one other international student, and each room has its own bathroom. There are coin operated washing machines and dryers on the 5th floor. I lived in the women's dormitory over the summer, and that was also a lot of fun because my roommates were fantastic. The only downside to living in the girl's dormitory is that there wasn't a dryer. That might have changed since I stayed there, but you'll want to double check. It's also a bit cheaper than the International House! |
| * Food: |
The meals at the cafeteria were just OK. I preferred to make my own food or eat at cheap restaurants around the university. I had a meal plan for the first semester, but I didn't purchase one for my second semester. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
When I was in regular college classes instead of the Korean classes, I made a lot of Korean friends. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the doctor a few times, but it was so cheap. I felt well taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
I think that Ulsan is pretty safe. I recommend avoiding clubs in the downtown area, but that's about it. I felt safe walking by myself and traveling around Korea alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would do it all again in a heartbeat. |
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) |
I saved money by studying in Korea. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It really depended on if I was being with my money that week or not. At one point, I was using about $30 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget! Stick to it, and plan for trips around the country and fun with friends! Don't be too stingy with your money. You are there to experience life! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I was in Intensive Korean, soooo I was pretty encouraged to use Korean. |
| 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? | I had learned the alphabet and a few key phrases. I recommend that you study more than I did. |
| 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? | Find language learning apps! Look into language exchanges online. Do everything that you can to learn about language and culture before you go. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish that I would have believed in myself a little bit earlier and actually learned more Korean before going. I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to go, so I was slow to start studying Korean. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intensive Korean Language |
| Course Department: | Korean Language |
| Instructor: | Multiple |
| Instruction Language: | Korean |
| Comments: | It's a lot of fun and a great challenge. You're in Korean class for 4 hours a day 5 days a week. You really get to know your classmates! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I had not issues transferring these language credits to LCSC. |
