Eye Opening Asia. Past Review

By (Communication - Sport Management, Trinity University) - abroad from 02/25/2013 to 06/20/2013 with

Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
my grasp for my own benefits and country as an american, has been expanded in so many ways. Culture, religion, life, experience, language, everything. I am much stronger and have grown immensely since having gone and come back from Seoul.

Review Photos

Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Ewha Womans University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very tough and competitive school. Experienced that first hand with the grading curve.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Besides orientation/"graduation", didn't really have much involvement, besides the emails.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Better than expected

* Food:

Just got repetitive after awhile. Also, the on campus food was not very good in my opinion, but eating outside of campus is just as cost effective if not cheaper.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

At first, not at all obviously. But by the end of my time there, it felt fully natural.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Got sick a few times, went to the university doctor. Hours were always accessible, almost no waiting time at all, quick fix of medicine provided. Got better every time!

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Everything in Seoul is less expensive than in the US. Transportation, food, necessities. Money is money though, and going out and touring took money away obviously. Not more than necessary though.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just spend wisely. Don't buy hundreds of dollars worth of groceries. Moderate groceries and moderate eating out is about the same amount of money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
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? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • The students I have met
  • Living in a HUGE city
  • Transportation
* What could be improved?
  • The local student buddy system (PeaceBuddy)
  • On campus food (not really a huge improvement)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? IT IS FREEZING COLD AND SNOWING IN MARCH AND APRIL, unlike Texas :) Seriously though, I just wish I knew how big the world actually was before living there. It was amazing to communicate with people back home on the other side of the earth.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.