An unforgettable experience of a lifetime Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/20/2018 to 06/24/2018 with

Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It made me more conifdent, independent, and more trusting in myself and my instincts. It was absolutely worthwhile.

Review Photos

Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Korea University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I had already done the summer program at Korea University and loved it so much I decided to do another semester at KU, and if I was allowed to do another semester there, I would!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about $70-$90 a week on food
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pick one thing you want to do more than anything else (concerts, travel to other cities, partying, etc.) and make that the one splurge place in your budget, then go as frugal as you can in all other aspects of your budget. Also research the living costs of locations BEFORE you pick your program - some places will cost way more to live than others.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Korean 40A and one semester of independent study
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? Find someone you can casually converse with in the target language, it is way better practice than any book or online resource.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • The accomodations
  • The buddy program
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • The administration
  • The class registration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how hard the classes would be - Brandeis University tends to hint to students that Brandeis classes are way more difficult than international universities, and while that may be the case, I found that Korea University courses were just as difficult as Brandeis courses.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'