KU holds the key to your heart, folks <3 Past Review

By (Technologico de Monterrey / Monterrey Institute of Technology / ITESM) - abroad from 06/26/2018 to 08/02/2018 with

Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. South Korea is a place that I learned to love deeply and so tenderly... Because of it's people, their history, their beautiful energy... It has been a experience that changed me from the inside out. I learned a lot, I had lots of fun, I met amazing professionals and made new friends that I keep in touch with... I wish I could go back to Korea soon! Specially if I can enroll in another program at KU!

Review Photos

Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus Photo Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus Photo Korea University: Seoul - International Summer Campus Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was AMAZING! The professors are beyond professional, the best people I've had the privilege to learn from. I think that, for a summer program the intensity was perfect, not having classes on Fridays and instead getting the chance to have cultural experiences then... The campus is clean and beautiful... honestly, you will definitely LOVE to study here! I wish I was already signed up for a second degree there... starting now :)

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Great Administration, everything was perfectly organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food is delicious!! And there's something for every taste! The cost for a meal is if not reasonable, cheap, and you do eat well, fresh and delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Social & Cultural Integration is easy thanks to the many options they have with workshops and field trips on Fridays, to maybe.. learn how to cook Korean dishes, Tae Kwon Do, learn calligraphy, K-Pop dance; o even visit a Traditional Korean Folk Village and Lotte World! In any of the cases you get to meet a bunch of new people who you can easily befriend, as they're all up to have a great time in Korea, just like you!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Seoul is super safe. Nothing's perfect, and you do have to take precautions, but I would come back from a night out at 4 am, and everything was quiet, people was respectful and I felt safe, specially as a foreigner.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was so carefully planned that it made me feel part of a community, like I haven't felt before even at my home University. KU makes you feel like part of something greater, it has a very beautiful vive and it really invites you to take part of it, forget that you have to go back home by the end of the summer, and just enjoy the moment and sing along the anthem at the top of your lungs!! Oh my, you do have to study had, but you do have fun like never before!!!

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)

This was one of the best things about it... it's not that it's cheap, but its very reasonable... even if you tend to indulge yourself a lot with junk food and sweets... but really, you can buy a gimbap from 2.500 won, which is roughly 2.5 USD (if not less), and you don't have to spend in beverages, because your meal includes miso soup, kimchi and tap water, as much as you wish to serve yourself... and there are plenty of options in a basic menu to eat, there's ramen, mandu (dumplings), etc... You can't get tired of the food in Korea, and really, you don't have to pay a lot to eat well and yummy.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 65-70 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? try not to indulge in the nearby coffee shops too much... you might want to save up some money for souvenirs and sweets to take back home with you!!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

Like, it's not that during the courses, except for Korean Language I had to speak in Korean a lot, but professors teach you a word, a phrase or two that you get to use with the locals on your trips around the city, and people is so nice and appreciates enormously that you as a foreigner try to communicate in their language. It's just lovely beyond description.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? English - C2 / Italian - B2 / French - B1
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? ask the locals how to say whatever you want to, they are happy to introduce you to their culture as well as to ask you something too!!

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Courses
  • People
  • Campus
* What could be improved?
  • Housing organization
  • Transport from the dorms back to the airport
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It was great not to know anything, because I had no expectations, though I remember how I sometimes did wish I knew just a little about South Korea's History, and watch one or two movies or K-dramas... just to have a brief background of the country... Also.. what's most useful to know is to investigate a little about the places you'd like to visit so you can plan in advance! There's SOOO MUCH to see, and you want to go back so often to the places that steal your heart, and trust me, there are lots of them just within Seoul!!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Korean Cinema and Visual Culture

Course Department:
Instructor: Darcy Paquet
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Professor Darcy is the pioneer in Korean Cinema studies, so it is a privilege to study with him. He is a very nice person, patient and loves to show his students examples as well as explaining everything in detail... It was lovely to take this course with him!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea

Course Department:
Instructor: Ji Hoon Park
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was the most challenging, yet most interesting course I took! Professor Park knows exactly how to teach a lesson without missing the group's attention at all. I did learn a lot, and I had to study like never before, but it was all worth it! It was that good.. because Prof. Park gets into History, Economy, Social Studies, Media and more, not only giving examples, but explaining why all these factors altogether constitute the basis of Korean Mass Media and it's global impact...
Credit Transfer Issues: