Did I mention I studied abroad? Past Review
By Olivia Jones (University of Alabama - Huntsville) - abroad from 03/01/2019 to 06/26/2019 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester in South Korea - Sogang University
I learned so many things. Academically, I learned new ways to approach and view problems. Socially, I learned a lot about different ways to effectively communicate with people who are not similar to me. I also learned a lot about who I am as a person and it taught me a lot about living on my own. I also gained so many lifelong friends that mean so much to me and I know will continue to do so.
Review Photos
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 quality of academics was amazing, it was a bit more theoretical than typical American classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CISabroad staff were always willing to help 24/7! |
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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? |
Sogang University offers a great buddy program called HUG and all the clubs on campus are open to having international students involved! They try their best to make sure all international students are included in all their events! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safer in Seoul than I have in New York City and Boston. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Sogang University offered great classes to help continue my education as well as being in the best location in Seoul. Its near Hongdae and Sinchon and multiple subway stations. Everyone there was so welcoming and CISabroad excursions helped me make the most out of my experience. |
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) |
Everything was a lot cheaper than I expected and I spent about the equivalent of $300 per month, with exceptions for gifts and souvenirs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-$30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start early saving; and remember that you will value getting gifts in the country you are visiting, rather than buying things you want in your home country. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | I wish I had planned more things to do in the city. I had a small list of things to do, but I wish I had done more research into cool museums or historical places that I could've visited while I was there. Once you get there, you're so busy that you can forget to look for the smaller, less touristy things. |
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.' |
