I Will Definitely Relive my Korea Summer Experience in a Heartbeat Past Review
By Elizabeth Chin (National University of Singapore / NUS) - abroad from 06/27/2017 to 08/03/2017 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
I definitely learnt to be more independent and self-sufficient. I had to do laundry, settle all my meals and plan the itinerary on my own
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. |
I took up 2 courses during the summer programme and I absolutely loved the teaching pedagogies of the professors there. These professors are from world-renowned institutions and were very engaging and passionate in their fields. For instance, I embarked on a field trip to the Bank of Korea in my Comparative Politics class and it was so cool as there were professionals on site to deliver a lecture regarding the monetary policies of South Korea. There were also appropriate graded tasks during the course and the professors were really helpful in providing advice on the projects we were engaged in. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Replies to emails were surprisingly quick which is a fantastic thing as issues can be sorted out really quickly. Administrative tasks like getting textbooks printed, getting student cards were efficiently conducted. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a buddy at Frontier House, and the housing facilities and amenities were clean and comfortable. The security guards were really helpful as he assisted us in calling the taxi and ensuring it came to the doorstep, despite the language barrier. The cleaning ahjuma was also really friendly! Given that campus housing is situated on a slope, climbs to our accommodation is always a slightly tiring affair, but absolutely a good workout everyday! Perhaps a suggestion would be to open the CJ gym to people living in Frontier House as well. |
| * Food: |
There are a plethora of good food and cafe options available near campus at Anam. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Effort was definitely made by the host in integrating us with the Buddy programme and cultural activities. I went for the Lotte World, Taekwondo, K-pop dance lessons and Pyeongchang trip. The K-pop dance session was exceptionally memorable as we executed a flash-mob right after learning the dance and it was so cool, doing it in Gwanghwamun!! Nonetheless, I felt the buddy groupings could be improved as I was in a group with everyone from my home country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Even though I did not visit the healthcare facilities on campus, my friend did visit it and was satisfied with the service. Briefings on health issues were also conducted at the start of the programme, which provided a good reference in the event we fall ill. |
| * Safety: |
I guess Seoul is really safe, my friends and I usually reach our dorms really late at night after dinner and had no issues or whatsoever. Streets were brightly lit, but I guess one still has to take some precautions nonetheless. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved everything about the programme, from the content of the programme to the people. It is very well-structured and executed. Professors were very dedicated and passionate, staffs were extremely approachable and helpful. The curriculum was well structured and graded fairly. As for the cultural aspects, though some parts could be better improved, I totally loved the Pyeongchang trip tying in with the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. It provided me a gateway to visit a province out of Seoul. Restaurants we went to were great, especially the KBBQ, kimbab making session and traditional food. Places of interests in the itinerary were eye-opening and absolutely fun!! Sacrificed some personal plans to attend this trip and didn't regret this at all! |
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) |
Given that I am a female and the host country is Korea, it is really hard to live on a budget, unless you come with the intention to purchase the bare minimum amount of things- there are so many things to buy and so much food to try. Mostly bough clothes and cosmetics. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I kept track of my daily expenses on an excel sheet. I budgeted for my expenses and I was within budget |
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?
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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? | - |
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.' |
