Missing my time abroad! January 09, 2024
By A student (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2023 to 12/22/2023 with
Yonsei University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about Korean society and culture, and I learned a lot about myself as well. This was definitely a worthwhile experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I liked some classes more than others. Some of my classes had many students, and they were lecture-based courses, so the classes were not as interactive. Additionally, it was difficult to get to know my professors, across all my classes. In comparison to Wellesley, all my courses were much easier in terms of academic rigor and intensity. Because of this, I did not need as many resources, but if I were to need more academic support, I'm not sure where I could have received that. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not interact with on-site administration in-person at all, but I knew who to contact if I needed anything due to clear communication via email and in-person orientation at the beginning of the semester. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms were fine. The rooms were quite small, and the rooms could have been cleaner (weird patches on the wall, mold in AC vents, etc.), but overall, I was alright living there. However, my biggest concern was the bathrooms. Because of the ways the bathrooms are cleaned, I believe that encourages mold growth on the floor. I was worried for the health of people living in the dorms and for the cleaning staff. |
| * Food: |
Dining hall food was good, especially for such an affordable price. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because I had local friends already, I feel like I got insight into the culture, but without them, I do not think I would have made any local friends. There are few to no environments where you could meet students to learn more about the culture, etc. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an allergic reaction one time, and I was able to get high-quality, immediate care at the school's clinic. I recommended other students to go to the school's clinic if they ever had any health concerns after my good experience. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe at all points, even walking home by myself late at night, but I need to emphasize that I am Asian and Korean-passing, so this experience might be different for someone who is very visibly not Asian or Korean looking. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I should note that I had local friends before I came to Korea, so I think that really changed my experience. The hands-off nature of the program did not hinder me, but I wonder if others had a more difficult time befriending locals or integrating into Korean culture. I found that the academic experience of the program was just alright. The less rigorous nature allowed me to gain a lot of cultural and social experiences, but those were all my own pursuits rather than something the program really helped me with. If we mean attending Yonsei University overall by saying "program," I would have definitely chosen it again because of my friends, but also now knowing what I know, I think Sinchon is a good place for students to live near with all that it has to offer. |
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 did not keep track on a weekly basis, and I spent lots of my money on non-necessary items, so I do not think I have a good response for this question. But I think coming from America and living in places with a higher cost of living and stronger currency, I found living in Seoul to be affordable. The food is very inexpensive compared to food in America. As for everything else that I think is more unnecessary, it is up to the student on where they like to spend their money. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bringing cash, such as from your bank, to convert once you get there is much cheaper and convenient than withdrawing money from ATMs because of foreign exchange transaction fees. Additionally, know your pin for the ATM once you get there! You will also need cash to pay for the national health insurance unless you have a Korean bank account. |
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 chose to take a Korean course, but otherwise, the program did not encourage or require any use of Korean. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | KOR 202 - Intermediate Korean 2 |
| 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? | Learn everyday/conversational Korean before you arrive. I found that I only knew textbook Korean, so I struggled a lot with everyday exchanges (at the store, etc.). Additionally, find Korean friends who want to learn English and know less English than you know Korean, so you are forced to practice Korean. It's actually very difficult to practice and improve your Korean in Korea because so many people know English and know English very well, so they will often speak English to you once you struggle in Korean. Fighting! |
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 I knew how different it would be to live on campus without being on a meal plan. I had minor difficulties adjusting to having to plan out what I was going to eat for all my meals. It was difficult to buy groceries and to cook in the dorms, so I ate out nearly all the time--something very different and almost discouraged in American culture. |
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.' |
