TEAN: Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea

Being a first-generation college student and having immigrant parents, I believed that dreams were nothing more than an exaggerated expectation of what was possible and that we should never hope to realize them. My dream was to travel and my younger self would’ve never imagined that there would be chances for me that may support me in making aspirations come true. And I'm pleased I did because choosing to study in South Korea was the best choice I've ever made. Korea University in Seoul was the best place to continue my studies at, and TEAN was really helpful with paperwork and making sure everything was prepared properly. They also gave me more opportunities to learn more about the country and introduced me to some of the greatest friends I made while traveling. I would suggest this to anyone who has a desire to learn and travel because it was unquestionably the correct program and location for me. This is ideal for you if you enjoy Korean cuisine, the language, or entertainment, or even if you are just seeking for a place that has a lot of differences from your country.

And if you are also considering Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, here are some suggestions based on my personal experience:
• Study the culture- Understanding the differences in culture is important for traveling and simply being respectful to others, so make sure you’re aware of customs and traditions of the country you are visiting.
• Korea University is a fantastic school, and as a business major, classes can be competitive (most of the business courses are graded in exams and group projects/presentations).
• Bring good walkable shoes, you will need them!
• Bring an umbrella or you might end up buying multiple.
• Public transportation is amazing and TEAN will guide you through it as well.
• Koreans are curious people so if people come up to you or start a conversation, be open minded to them. I was approached multiple times but why were wondering where I was from, curious about what borough me to Korea, and my experiences.
• Save up of course. There’s so much to buy and you will need space in your luggage for all the souvenirs so make sure you have a good financial plan for the time you will be there.

When I first entered university I had a good idea about things I would see and do. Unfortunately, I started the year COVID hit and my college experience has been completely lackluster and miserable. I was beginning to think going to college in general is just a terrible experience. However, I took a chance in my junior year and studied abroad in Seoul. It was everything I imagined college should be like and more. I would 100% recommend taking that leap of faith to study abroad, it will definitely pay off.

I have never been outside in the United States and have honestly lived in the state of Ohio my whole life. So, leaving the country for the first time was extremely nerve-wracking. I could only think about the initial worries of how to migrate through a foreign airport and not knowing a single person arriving.

Though, the TEAN program was very helpful. The amount of details and steps included in the directions per arrival genuinely helped me. I was efficient and arrived in the country where I will be studying for the next four months without majorly freaking out. As someone who struggled with high anxiety. Through the program I have probably met people that I will never forget. The way I want to achieve differently in school, I gained a sort of motivation I was lacking prior. I also went outside of my bubble and made the first move to create friendships. I loved how I was able to improve to be a different version of myself. With a different outlook of things and overcoming my anxieties.

Even simple accomplishments like trying new foods, walking in new areas, and studying in different environments. Being able to adapt and improve my skill-sets is the best opportunity I could have received. Thanks to the program, I received a new love for traveling and hopefully I can go back to Korea soon.

I studied abroad in Korea at Korea University last semester and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! I met great people worldwide and honestly, I cannot think of any bad thing in Korea. It almost feels like I was on a vacation to meet new people. TEAN also offered a lot of activities for us and they were all very FUN! I thought people were being dramatic when they talked about their study abroad experiences and it used to bother me a lot. But I see myself only talking about my life in Korea NONSTOP to everyone I meet! 10000% Recommended!

Studying in Seoul through TEAN made a huge impact on my time in Korea! I was helped through the whole process, from getting my visa and setting up appointments for residency to preparing transcripts. TEAN also took care of university housing, which was a huge plus because my friends with other programs spoke about how difficult it was to get housing. There are also fun activities that TEAN organizes that take you to places in Korea you may not have thought to visit such as Nami Island and you can connect with other students and with the staff on these trips. I felt at ease knowing that the Seoul staff was there to help me with any issues that came up while I was abroad.

I truly enjoyed living in Seoul and felt very safe even when walking alone at night, just remember to be aware! The public transportation is amazing, it is very clean and reliable and is usually around $1 per subway/bus ride. Even though Anam (where Korea University is located) isn’t in the center of Seoul having access to Korea’s public transportation system made the huge city of Seoul feel accessible and the journeys never felt very long. I loved hanging out in Myeongdong with my friends going to cafes and eating street food. For me, Myeongdong is the right amount of bustling without being overwhelming like Hongdae can be sometimes.

It can be a bit difficult to adjust to living in a new country but knowing some Korean and making friends makes it a lot easier. I am very glad I decided to go to Korea after two years of learning Korea because I was able to navigate lots of events on my own and it helped boost my confidence every time I could. Being able to make deep friendships with both foreign and local students is something I will forever hold dear and would go abroad again with TEAN.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad with TEAN during Spring 2023. With all of the fun activities TEAN prepared for us like touring Nami Island, going to Busan, and a Han river cruise, I definitely don't regret picking TEAN for my study abroad experience. It was also reassuring knowing that we could contact TEAN staff in Korea basically at any time and the onsite staff is very kind! South Korea is a great destination for study abroad as it's easy to travel around the country with its convenient public transportation and school life there is very dynamic! I would definitely recommend studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.

Going to Seoul with TEAN made a huge difference with my experience abroad! They help with visa processing, preparing transcripts, setting up our residence appointments, and more. A big plus was that TEAN conducted the housing process, which my non-TEAN peers said was very challenging and competitive. We had so many fun excursions planned out throughout the semester that it made forming friendships very easy, all while knocking things off our bucket lists. Attending university in the Spring, especially Korea University, means so many university events with music festivals being the highlight. The semester builds up to these events through iconic school spirit events such as Korea vs. Yonsei cheer competitions, I would say I feel more school pride for KU than my home university thanks to these events. Seoul has an endless amount of possible activities, from karaoke to making your own jewelry to accessible travel outside the city, one could never get bored here. On average I spent less than $10 for a good quality meal, and transportation was usually $1 per train/bus ride. Getting to Korea can be expensive, but the cost of living definitely makes up for it.

Seoul was such an incredible city to experience during the Spring 2023 semester. I had great quality of life in terms of safety, affordability, and amusement! There are endless things to do in Seoul like explore the food scene, take in the city's green spaces, do some great shopping, or going to karaoke. The TEAN staff was very helpful in making me feel prepared prior to my program in terms of helping me get my visa, teaching me about the cultural expectations of Korea, and even just guidance on what to pack. I also felt reassured in that there were TEAN staff members on-site during my stay abroad.