Study Abroad in Seoul Past Review

By (Linguistics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/20/2015 with

Yonsei University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about different cultures, and not just Korean culture! I met a lot of international students and learning about their home countries was a great experience as well.

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.

Not as academically rigorous as Wellesley classes but I still learned a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

If there was wifi in the dorm rooms, it would have been perfect. I had a single room in SK Global House which I liked a lot. It had its own bathroom and the dorm building itself had a number of facilities.

* Food:

There wasn't a meal plan but there was a cafeteria that I ate at occasionally. The food was decent in both taste and price.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't personally have any health issues but when my friend sprained her ankle she said that she received adequate care from the university.

* Safety:

Overall, I felt more safe in Seoul than I do in Boston.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100, though I ate out a lot which isn't always necessary

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 202
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? Make an effort to meet native Korean speakers. Attending classes with other international students makes it easy to get by in English but keeps you from improving your Korean

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • 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 flexibility of the program
* What could be improved?
  • For there to be more opportunities to practice Korean
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much of an effort I needed to make to meet native Korean speakers

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!