TaLK or Whatever - Teach and Learn Program in Korea Past Review

By (Business, University of Northern Iowa) for

Study Abroad Programs in South Korea

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes.

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.

I learned a lot about Korea, culture, and myself, but none of it was through taking classes online. As far as academic education was concerned, the program itself was more of a distraction than anything. Not to the say the program was bad, on the contrary it was amazing, but the combination of TaLK and taking classes online was a bit of a hassle, to say the least.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The TaLK orientation and staff were easy to work with and clear in their expectations, but the whole orientation was kind of useless before being thrown into the fray of teaching elementary students. Once you leave orientation and are placed at your schools, you're kind of at the mercy of the people working there and you don't really deal with TaLK administration much anymore unless you need something that only they can provide. For that reason, they were kind of not involved enough to accurately judge outside of the orientation, which I found less than helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Depends on where you're stationed really.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

A few places during orientation, otherwise the sky's the limit on what you can do you with your time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Korea is one of the safest countries in the world.

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

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The place.
  • The experience.
  • The people.
* What could be improved?
  • The communication.
  • The classes.
  • The orientation.