Summer in Korea: Create Unforgettable Memories Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/27/2017 to 08/03/2017 with

Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about Korean history and culture than what I had thought I had already known. I think it was worthwhile because it allowed me to connect to my Korean roots.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, the program was really enjoyable! The academic rigor/intensity is really up to what kind of classes you enroll in. The teachers I had were very passionate about what they taught, and made the class very enjoyable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes the program felt disorganized during the 'cultural' trips. For example, the staff insisted on using their apps for check-ins and other things, but the app was not accessible to students outside of Korea.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm I stayed in was very nice, but their rules were a little bit too strict. For example, family members of the same gender could not go up to our room to help us pack/unpack, and my roommate could not let me know (through the staff) that she was going to arrive very late at night when we first moved into the dorms for "security" reasons?

* Food:

Dorm food is good, food anywhere in Korea is good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think I would have felt more integrated if I actually knew Korean, but other than that it was fine.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My friend had injured herself, and the on-campus hospital was very accommodating. However, it would be kind of difficult to communicate effectively if you did not know Korean well enough (my friend was fluent).

* Safety:

Like any city, if you don't go looking for trouble or go to shady areas, then it's completely safe, even at night. Be aware that subways don't run after 12 AM.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would want to try to go to a different country.

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 fortunately had my family provide money for me for this trip, but overall it's easy to find cheap and delicious food. Personal expenses is probably where you would spend the most money. As long as you budget yourself, there shouldn't be any problems.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • You had a lot of freedom to do what you wanted
* What could be improved?
  • More organization on culture trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Review your Korean, don't pack too much clothing

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.