Neverending exchange life Past Review
By A student (Applied Economics., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/04/2013 to 06/14/2013 with
Seoul National University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The local students at Seoul National University are known to be very very hard workers which made my classes quite challenging. However, it was very fascinating to see and learn how eager they are to learn and also manage to have social life as well. There are so many things you could learn from the local students. Also, they have an excellent exchange student group called SNU Buddy. It is ran by local students and allow exchange students to gather together and experience unique, Korean events. They put effort into putting those events together and it shows. Overall, my experience at SNU was absolutely worthwhile.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would say around $100~120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cafeteria food is very cheap and not bad. Korea has so much good food to try but it will cost you quite a bit if you keep eating out! Also, fruits and veggies are generally quite expensive compared to the states. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Korean students are everywhere in the states. Grab them and practice then also you can help them learn English if needed! |
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?
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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? | The classes I chose to take were pretty difficult because I had no information of how they are taught or how local students think of. They have a website called snueve.com which is similar to ratemyprofessors, but it's only in Korean. It would be helpful for exchange students if snueve.com can be provided in English. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
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