An Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Tammy Tu (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/22/2016 to 12/22/2016 with
Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Everyone appreciates that you came to their country to learn. They appreciate it more when you try to speak to them in Korean and it is rewarding. There is always something to do and you would never want to waste and day without going out on an adventure.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They had classes in English and the teachers there spoke English very well, so there was no language barrier. The courses weren't as hard as they are at my home university, but still required time and dedication |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You had 2 options, both of which were on top of a hill. They had everything you needed. A 2 kitchens per floor and a shower in each room. They also had laundry in the same building and a 24 hour convenient store right down the hill. |
| * Food: |
They campus and just Seoul in general has a lot of food options that are cheap and affortable. I advise being adventurous and trying the local foods there, but if you ever miss your Big Macs or McNuggets, there are a ton of Macas in Korea as well as other fast food. But Korean food is great! Korea has a strong drinking culture, but if you don't drink, like me, there is a coffee shop in every corner that is affordable and maybe doable if you need a cup a day. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It might be a little difficult for those who haven't been exposed to Korean culture, but for the most part, the students (KUBA) are very nice and helpful and are there to help you intergrate to Korean culture quickly. If you venture out to some other areas, people might ignore you or stare, but that's normal. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Korea Uni has a hospital a subway stop away of maybe 20 minutes? It's on campus, but I've never personally used their services, but from what I heard, they only speak Korean, so you may want to bring a friend that knows Korean. |
| * Safety: |
I've never felt unsafe before. I've walked the streets alone at night by myself and didn't feel in danger at all. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't still be cautious of your surroundings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Korea is very easy to travel around. Everyone is friendly and willing to help of you just ask. I learned a lot about Korea through the teachers and locals. |
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) |
Things are cheap sometimes, so you tend to think that you can purchase more, which eventually adds up. I would maybe stay away from buying clothes. Food would maybe cost $7-15 a meal. Can be wat cheaper if you dont eat much and even cost just $10 a day. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200, because it was my first time in Korea and I didn't want to waste the opportunity. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Subways- +2,500₩ a trip. That's generally cheap, but when doing touring, you might want to plan ahead so you don't go back and forth, tapping your subway card often. Walking is the best transportation as well as taxi. Subway is also great too. Food- Mentioned above. Some servings are kinda big, so bring a friend so you guys can order different things to try and share Traveling out of Seoul- ~30,000₩ depending on the day and location Concerts- Free-99,000₩ I've never seen ticket prices exceed that. And do research because Korea and Seoul hold alot of free concerts |
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? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make more friends. Experience more of the local life and travelled longer out of Seoul. Hike more mountains. |
