Kind, Fun, and Spontaneous -- Seoul Past Review
By Eun Young K (Marketing, The University of Texas at Austin) for
Seoul National University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I strongly recommend this program to anyone considering to study abroad in Korea. I just decided to do this exchange because I was going to Korea anyways, but this experience went way beyond my expectation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics in Seoul National University was not very different from what I was used to in UT Austin. The overall workload, teaching methods, and rigorousness were surprisingly similar. However, the difference I noticed from taking courses instructed in Korean as well as English is that the ones taught in Korean can be more difficult and creative. The professors and students in Korea can't obviously be comfortable with English as much as they are with Korean, and I believe that worked as a limitation as to how the courses were conducted. As it was mentioned in other reviews, it is true that many professors in SNU put more emphasis on exam grades. Overall, I really enjoyed sharing education and knowledge with some of the brightest students in Korea. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host university was very kind to equip exchange students with adequate administrative assistance and host events for us to interact with local students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dormitory was clean, safe, and very much affordable. |
| * Food: |
The dorm cafeteria serves 3 meals a day, but please dine out and explore the AMAZING world of Korean food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had plenty of chances to interact with fellow exchange students and local students. Spontaneous hangouts and trips are possible with excellent public transportation that will get you everywhere at anytime! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Korea has excellent healthcare system, and fortunately, I didn't have any safety issues. Just use common knowledge on safety, and you will be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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