The Answer is: Unforgettable June 05, 2022
By A student (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/13/2022 to 06/21/2022 with
Yonsei University: Seoul - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Knowledge of the language, people, culture, history, places within Korea, tested a lot of delicious food, and so much more. Yes, it was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All English courses were taught online while all other classes where conducted in-person. The course materials were academically rigorous, but the academic environment/encouraged engagement left much to be desired. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators where alright and helpful at points, but my view of them has changed from what my roommate had to go through. Their introduction to Korea materials were issued several months into the semester which led to avoidable troubles and trauma. My roommate and friends were sexually assaulted. The administrators wouldn't provide any academic accommodations due to a lack of proper documents. One professor wanted to "help" her complete the course, since 3 absences is an automatic fail, and lied to her to make her attend a presentation on sexual assault of women and gender inequality despite having witnessed her have a panic attack after class while explaining her recent trauma. Their 3 class absence rule is understandable, but their understanding, empathy, and approach to students with trauma/mental illnesses was horrific. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was fine, clean, and cozy. However they were late to respond to emails, certain accommodations such as the air conditioning and refrigerators were available late into the semester, and students didn't have any input into choosing their roommate. |
| * Food: |
The cafeteria food was passable and less affordable than I thought it would be. Outside food was much more delicious all be it slightly to significantly more expensive. Many students were eating from convenience stores rather than proper restaurants/cafeteria - it may speak to the quality of convenience stores or the cost of other alternatives. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a great number of opportunities to get closer to the local culture however much of it had to come from personal research, outreach, or from collaborative efforts with other exchange students. This being said- transportation was easy and encouraged exploration. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Services were cheaper than The State's, but this is a low standard. This being said it was 3 to 4 times more expensive for non-natives and insurance didn't cover any non-emergencies. |
| * Safety: |
It is much safer than the states, but there are certain things one should know to not get into trouble. Such as how to navigate public transportation at hot spots, changing danger levels per area with time, and the attitude some areas have on foreigners. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I got to go to another country and be immersed in the culture and people here. I learned so much that can only come from experience and forged relationships I will cherish. |
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? | Around $120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Search for cheap food, getting a Korean phone number is really important but highly expensive, the Korean embassy/admin are slow to issue residence cards to know you'll have to live the first few months without a proper digital identification in a society that lives on digital conveniences, make friends to share the burden of trips, and yes things are cheaper here but you are also moving in with little to nothing, seasons change with proper hot/cold weathers |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | I'm sure you can tell what I wish I had known from my previous responses for what can be improved and reviews of various aspects of the program. |
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.' |
