Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Joy of Studying in Seoul January 03, 2022

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/05/2021 to 06/15/2021 with

Yonsei University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became a more confident, independent person. Gained a greater cultural understanding of Korea, became more adventurous, and made some really cool friends around the world.

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.

The classes and school itself were very interesting, had lots of resources, and many choices to take, but they were definitely easier than what I’m used to at Middlebury

* 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

It was the most incredible, fun semester filled with tons of personal growth and unforgettable experiences and new friends.

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? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The dining hall provided really cheap ways to eat!

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Had never taken Korean
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? Order food in Korean!

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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 people
  • The food
  • The country
* What could be improved?
  • Important information could be clearer
  • There was difficulty in transferring my credits
  • More, free ways to meet people
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it was the best study abroad choice I could have made. Do not hesitate when applying because it’s fantastic.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Maladaptive Emotions
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I learned all about the psychology of negative emotions, how they develop, and how the affect us holistically. The rigor of this class was less than those at Middlebury, but it provided a cool opportunity to learn psychology from a Korean perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues: