Amazing experience to live in another country! Past Review
By Valeria Montalvo (University of California - Riverside) - abroad from 06/28/2018 to 08/09/2019 with
Yonsei University: Yonsei International Summer School
I think I gained a little bit more independence and was able to come out of my shell a little, having to do everything by myself. It was definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* 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? |
I personally wasn't able to make many friends until the end of my program, but that was my own fault. I was able to find a group of Korean university students who took international students around on trips in Seoul, so that's how I was able to integrate a bit better. |
|
* 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
|
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) |
|
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 |
Taking a language class was optional, but during the classes, it was highly encouraged to use Korean instead of English since the classes were taught in Korean. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Beginning Level 3 |
| 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 friends with local university students or through language exchange apps. If you are planning on taking the Korean language class and really want to improve, speak up in class and try to speak Korean to the teachers, they'll appreciate the effort. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how hard it would be to get around without having data or a Korean phone plan. I went just relying on free wifi and it was a bit hard finding free wifi while traveling to somewhere. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
