One of the best decisions ever made and would like to return again. Past Review
By Khoo Chong Wee (National University of Singapore / NUS) - abroad from 06/27/2017 to 08/03/2017 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
It was never enough to just listen to stories about how a country and her people and culture are. Being there to experience it yourself allows you to view it through your own lenses.While travelling, I got to see amazing sights that I won’t back home. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were easy to follow as the teaching staff made their lessons interesting and engaging. However, since a semester worth of workload is squeezed into 6 weeks, class hours were rather long and tests were frequent |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Korean buddies are really friendly and would try their best to help you settle in. The KU ISC staff were also efficient with administrative and academic matters |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Personal favorites are the pork belly at barbecue restaurants and any chicken with cheese (Yoogane and Jjimdak). On days that I am feeling poor, I’ll stick to the cheaper Kimbap. You can find plentiful of streetfood at places like Myeongdong. Bingsu (shaved ice dessert) is definitely a must especially during the hot summer. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Besides the lessons, KU ISC also offered several cultural activities such as Korean cooking lessons and Taekwondo, and field trips to a baseball game and Lotte World. I was able to enjoy much of the activities that the locals do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Adequate briefing done on insurance and health matters during orientation day |
| * Safety: |
Generally safe place where you can walk on the streets at night without worrying much. However, have to be careful of traffic on footpaths and crossings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Great balance of academics (taking credits to fulfill graduation requirements) while experiencing a country's culture. The people there are also friendly and helpful such that there is no need to worry about being in an unfamiliar environment. |
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) |
It depends on how you want to manage your expenses such as by looking for cheap food which are plentifully available. Transport fares might be harder to manage. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have your meals near school as much as possible as they are generally cheaper. Plan your itinerary well so that you can save on transport costs by just having one 2-way return trip on the subway while travelling on foot in-between attractions. Also track your daily expenses through an app. |
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? | Direct Enrollment |
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? |
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? | The weather, it was raining along at one point of time and was really hot at other points |
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.' |
