Getting Stuck (in Good and Bad ways) in Korea Past Review
By Cassie H (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 02/08/2012 to 06/28/2012 with
Yonsei University at Wonju: Yonsei Global Village Program
I learned that people are the same no matter where they're from, but at the same time, Korean people are also still very different from American people...but learning about it and understanding it was amazing and I'm so glad I got to know so many people so well. And now I think I can use Korean if I need to, and it's enough to get by. I gained a lot of confidence in different aspects of my life that I wouldn't have found had I stayed in America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Korean language level of classes offered was either too easy or too hard, so it was hard to adapt to my current language level. Though I took the "easier" course, I did still improve a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt like most of the time I had to take care of everything very much on my own, and received last minute or very few details about my obligations, but I was still able to meet my requirements |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved the people living in my dorm, but the curfew made it difficult sometimes, and separating genders made it also inconvenient to meet my conversation partners and friends. The dorm room itself was a little difficult to adapt to, being smaller and also twice the amount of people. |
| * Food: |
I love Korean food, but occasionally it gets a bit spicy or too unusual for my stomach to handle. But it doesn't mean there aren't other delicious options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a church music group and was the only foreigner, and though at first (and still after a while, if even just a little) they treated me like a foreigner. But I made lots of friends, and was able to talk in Korean sometimes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
With health emergencies, it was very simple to go to the hospital or the healthcare center. We as foreigners arrived and didn't know how easy it was; Korean people often go to the hospital for only having a cold. It's also very inexpensive. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe and thought many people were trustworthy and honest. I was comfortable leaving my things unattended in cafes, etc., and being out alone on campus at night time. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Our stipends were enough, and I was very pleased that I didn't have to use too much of my own money at all--save for flight costs. Stipends were occasionally late, however, but I had come prepared enough that it was okay. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Minimum of 20,000W (approx. 20 dollars) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Food is very inexpensive, if you find the right things, and you can also go shopping in subways or markets to find really great bargains. It's very easy to save money in Korea, but only if you're focused enough to find the right places. |
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 |
I was very motivated to learn the language, but only one class was required, and for beginners it covered the alphabet and basic vocabulary that may have barely prepared them for life in Korea. It was very easy to know absolutely no Korean and either rely on other English speakers or have Korean students help them. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Korean 201 |
| 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? | If you join a club that's outside of your dorm, you not only meet more friends but you also may be the only foreigner, so you won't get stuck in a group that only speaks English all the time. Even though Korean students don't really expect you to know Korean, doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Ignore how surprised they are every single time you try. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | There is hope for having more Wifi available, and the library is cooler than you think it is. And Korean people don't know what sarcasm is or how to use it. |
