YISS is great, but time goes quickly. Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/28/2012 to 08/12/2012 with
Yonsei University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The experience abroad was invaluable and irreplaceable for me. Even if I were to travel to Seoul again I don't think it would be the same. It may still be great, but not the same, so this was 100% worthwhile for me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
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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? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Money is manageable, you can eat well for $20 or less per day, but occasionally with food and personal expenses you can spend much more. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * 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? | for me at a minimum 185,000 KRW but usually upwards of 235,000 KRW |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating in groups generally ends up saving money. Also, take a taxi in groups. Other than that Seoul is a huge metropolis and depending on where you are prices vary. If you budget yourself in student-orientated areas you will be fine, if you go to tourist or other areas you can end up spending alot. |
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 |
YISS didn't have a mandatory foreign language requirement. However, you could have elected to take Korean classes if you wished, but because it wasn't required and classes were in English the program didn't encourage much use of local language. However, in the Korean classes itself only Korean was used and highly encouraged. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Never took Korean prior, but had slight knowledge. Program improved my reading, vocabulary and general understanding much. |
| 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? | Integrate yourself with locals and local students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Now that I know time really goes by quickly even though I was there for two whole months. I wish I planned my days and nights better. Also, knowledge of Korean seems to help enhance the experience significantly. I wish I would have known more before coming. |
