Fall in love with a Campus and a Country Past Review
By A student (University of Toronto) - abroad from 06/27/2017 to 08/03/2017 with
Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus
I learnt so many things. Some of the lessons I will hold most dear to my heart are the kindness of people who want you to like their own country; the confidence to meet knew people and make amazing memories; and the solidarity you can feel with a people that, at face value, seem so different from yourself.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a lot of work assigned for each day, but it was very interesting. All of my professors were well versed and very interested in what they were teaching. I took three courses over the program, which is the maximum amount you can take, and I didn't regret taking any of them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program's administration was very helpful and resolved any issues/concerns very quickly. During school hours, there was also staff on site to answer questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The on campus housing is nice and there are many restaurants and convenience stores close by to get food. It is also located really close to transport, so exploring the city is easy. My only concern is that if you sign up for a shared room, you don't have a questionnaire or something similar to determine compatibility with your roommate. Fortunately I had no issues with my roommate, but others did. |
| * Food: |
There are a lot of food options on and off campus, all of which tend to be delicious and also cheep. Don't be scared about trying something new! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The area around the school, called Anam, is easy to navigate, so it's easy to get comfortable. The program also offers a lot of activities for you to learn about Korea and there's even a cheer squad that will teach you the KU cheers, so you quickly feel a part of the KU community! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The campus and city are really safe. As a foreign woman in Korea, I never felt uncomfortable walking around Seoul on my own. You should still always be vigilant, and it is more fun to explore with friends, but there were no times where I felt overly scared or nervous being on my own. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program is well put together and there are a variety of courses offered, so you're bound to find something that you can put toward your university degree. The professors are really interesting and take pride in what they teach. There is also a lot of support for learning about Korea and Korean culture. |
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) |
I spent about CA$200 a week, but I did buy a number of souvenirs. Food is fairly cheap; on average a filling meal with leftovers cost about CA$5-$8. Transport is also reasonably cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about CA$200 a week. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The Korean language classes taught very useful phrases for visiting the country, such as buying items and ordering food. Being in Seoul, there are many chances to speak Korean and even though many Koreans in more touristy areas can speak some English, there are still many chances to practice your Korean! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Self study |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | That I would make good friends in Korea, then I would have made more plans ahead of time to explore around Korea. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
