Take me back to KUISC Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall the professors who I took classes with demonstrated that they knew about the topics they were teaching about, they we capable of transfering their knowledge to the students. They were also capable of answering all the questions that the students formulated. The resources and tools used for the teaching process were appropiate. I took Introduction to Korean History and Culture with professor Kim, I did learned a lot about Korea itself, also about everyday things because the professor encouraged us to ask him about whatever we wanted to know about and the material he prepared for us what really well planned. I actually did my first university presentation in English language at this program, I was pretty nervous but it all went well. As for the Korean Language class I was placed on Intermediate I-B which I never expected to be in, I had difficulties during the first few classes because my Korean wasn´t actually at that level so I had to study a lot to improve and level up. All the professor seemed very encouraging to me so I felt eased.

On-site administration of your program

The staff and people in charge of the program were pretty helpful and kind during the whole program, they never hesitate to help whenever they were needed. The buddy program, in my case was kind of disappointing because I expected more activities with my buddy and it didn't really happened.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The room was larger than expected. It would have been awesome to have a kitchen or a shared space to eating at the dorm, eating was prohibited in our building so it was tiring to go outside to eat.

Food price was normal. Food served at the dorm cafeteria wasn't the best but it was a lot better than the one in the cafeteria near Woodang. Anam and the area surrounding the campus is piled up of restaurants and different options where to eat so I did enjoy the local food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't integrated that much with the locals, because I spent a lot of time with internatinal students. I felt really eased being in Korea, I learnt how to use TMoney for transportation pretty quickly, how to use transpotation, order food, shopping and most importantly I also got to improve my korean language skills, whenever I spoke, some people even thought I was korea, which was funny cause I don't look korean at all. People in some places were really kind, for example the time I went to Busan on my own, a kind man (ajeossi) help me find the subway station. Since I am asian I was able to eat all kinds of food in korea, I had no problem eating things such as small dried fish and other things you can not find abroad or are not common. I did visit a lot of historical spots on my own, it would had been awesome if there were more cultural activities.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did went to the hospital once due to an emergency because I had a nosebleed for several days, the staff of the program help me by calling to the hospital for a medical appointment. I went with a friend of mine, so it wasn't that difficult to get medical attention, the hospital staff was quite efficient and it all run smoothly and I didn't have to wait for too long as I usually do in my home country. The only issue is that medical attention is more expensive for a foreigner than for the locals, due to that locals have their own insurance system. I didn't use my international health insurance, because the hospital of the university wasn't included.

Korea is probably the safest country I've ever been too, robbery and bad behavior is highly penalized, therefore people do respect rules and laws. I could walk on my own at pretty late hours around the campus with no issues, I used to go out in the morning at 7 and get home at around 11 or sometimes later. You can leave your belongings in a chair or table in a restaurant, cafe, office, room and no one would take them away. I even lost a sweater once and I found it hanging near the place I had lost it. So I do consider Korea is a safe place to live in, my only advice is to be careful when you are walking in the streets near the campus cause there are no sidewalks in some places so you just walk in the middle of the street where cars and motorbikes transit as well.

KUISC is not as any other summer programs, I now realize why it is the number one program in Asia. It was a life changing experience, I never thought I would enjoy studying that much althought it was challenging. If I could do it all over again, I would take classes related to my major and make the most of my time while being there.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

SInce I had to eat outside all the time, it was kind of difficult to estimate the amount of money I had to spend on food. As for personal expenses, like sim card, transportation and materials, I did spent a lot the first couple of weeks.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program offers Korean language courses at different levels, the first day you'll be requiered to do a placement test. It did encourage me to use and improve my korean language skills, because I had to use it daily at my class and also to speak with locals.

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• Dorm

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• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Classes
• Korean food
• Cultural activities

• Buddy program
• More cultural activities