A challenging but exciting semester abroad September 09, 2026
By Willa T (Mathematics, Economics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/21/2026 to 06/22/2026 with
CIEE: Seoul - Arts and Sciences
I made great friends who I will stay in touch with in the future. I learned about Korean culture and history, and most importantly food which is so delicious. I was able to travel to other countries in the region and engage in their cultures. I was able to gain perspective and appreciate taking classes in my home country, where I know the expectations.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took math courses and they were much more difficult than classes in the US. During the middle of the semester I thought I would fail at least one class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Good organized activities to get to know fellow exchange students, but lack of communication on some important matters. For example, when our first insurance bill was issued CIEE did not send us any warning. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Was told beforehand I would have a private kitchen, so I paid more for this option but when I arrived it was a communal kitchen. Loved the location and facilities though. |
| * 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? |
No
The academic environment was incredibly stressful for me, and at times made it difficult to appreciate other aspects of being abroad. If I could do it all again, I would choose to study abroad in a country with a lower level of academic rigor. However, I'm glad that I went and despite the challenged I faced I was able to make the most of my time abroad. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $100/week but I traveled frequently so that made it more expensive |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | After being abroad for a little while, make a list of how you want to prioritize your budget and adjust your spending to fit the priorities |
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 |
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| 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'd completed C1 level French classes, but no Korean classes |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I wish I had known that most students on CIEE programs are American. I wish I had known more about the Korean grading system (how/if it is curved). |
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.' |
