Has anybody here studied abroad?

[Yoonability]

I have some questions. It doesn't have to have been in Korea, even though I do have some specific questions about that, but even in general.

[blank_stare]

I've studied in Philippines, despite being born there. But I currently reside in US. So what's the inquiry?

[Ara-nim]

I have.

[BadByeBae]

Germany in high school for a year, then went to college in Japan for a year in college, will gladly answer any questions.

[Iceprince]

I was an exchange student in korean university

[Mingyu's Blue Hair]

I was a erasmus student in Maribor/Slovenia for 5 month in my master degree, last year.

[TWICEs Fairy Godmother]

I went over to Korea for a week or so in preparation for my studying there but I couldn't go because of family problems, lowkey still salty though >_>

[Newton'sApples]

Studied in France for 5 years now I live there!

[Yoonability]

I've studied in Philippines, despite being born there. But I currently reside in US. So what's the inquiry?

 

 

I have.

 

 

Germany in high school for a year, then went to college in Japan for a year in college, will gladly answer any questions.

 

 

I was an exchange student in korean university

 

 

I was a erasmus student in Maribor/Slovenia for 5 month in my master degree, last year.

 

 

Studied in France for 5 years now I live there!

 

So many people, wow! I went to study for a bit and I'm very happy to see you all reply to my topic <3

 

Here are some general questions:

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

 

As for Korea:

 

1. Did you go around not knowing a lot of Korean, and if so how did this go?

2. Did you, specifically as a woman, ever feel unsafe? Were you there before the hidden camera epidemic?

3. Did you periodically get money from a bank, did you use your creditcard or did you take a whole lot of cash with you?

 

 

Thank you guys so much in advance anyone who replies  you don't have to answer all of my questions lmao I like to plan things ok!!

[Ara-nim]

I studied in Japan for a few months for an exchange program, so I won't answer the Korea part:

 

1. I did some part-time work and eat moderately (onigiri and ramen. not healthy, sure, but it's cheap sooo). Also, cut the transportation cost by buying pass and card. Ask for good and cheap food around your location, it will help you a lot.

2. Fortunately, I have my room for myself, but I do live in a sharehouse.

3. I often call my friends and family when I have time. Video calls also helped a lot to deal with loneliness. Be aware of the time difference, though.

4. Japan is generally a safe country, so nope.

5. If you studied abroad you are guaranteed to meet a lot of people. You have to socialize, even if you don't want to.

6. Yes, I recommend it strongly.

[Mingyu's Blue Hair]

So many people, wow! I went to study for a bit and I'm very happy to see you all reply to my topic <3

 

Here are some general questions:

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

 

As for Korea:

 

1. Did you go around not knowing a lot of Korean, and if so how did this go?

2. Did you, specifically as a woman, ever feel unsafe? Were you there before the hidden camera epidemic?

3. Did you periodically get money from a bank, did you use your creditcard or did you take a whole lot of cash with you?

 

 

Thank you guys so much in advance anyone who replies  you don't have to answer all of my questions lmao I like to plan things ok!!

 

 

Slovenia is one of the cheapest country in Europe. My accommadation at school dorm was only for 638 euro for 5 month. And I was spending max 100 euro for kitchen shopping from super market in every month. And there is a ticket system for students at restaurant. With this tickets you can eat free or about 1, 2, 3 euro. This system is only in Slovenia. My roommate was from Turkey too. There was a lot of student from Turkey in my dorm. So it felt like I am in my country. It is a shame that I didn't communicate with people from other countries. I didn't felt loneliness. Europe is really safe. If you go europe it is really cheap and easy to travel between europe cities from different europe countires. You can go everywhere with Flixbus. The tickets are around 10-20 euro. Maximum 40-50 euro for very far away. But cities are very close to each other. I am definetly recommend this to you. It is a must to do lifetime experience and it is very special. You will learn a lot of new, different things.

[Yoonability]

Slovenia is one of the cheapest country in Europe. My accommadation at school dorm was only for 638 euro for 5 month. And I was spending max 100 euro for kitchen shopping from super market in every month. And there is a ticket system for students at restaurant. With this tickets you can eat free or about 1, 2, 3 euro. This system is only in Slovenia. My roommate was from Turkey too. There was a lot of student from Turkey in my dorm. So it felt like I am in my country. It is a shame that I didn't communicate with people from other countries. I didn't felt loneliness. Europe is really safe. If you go europe it is really cheap and easy to travel between europe cities from different europe countires. You can go everywhere with Flixbus. The tickets are around 10-20 euro. Maximum 40-50 euro for very far away. But cities are very close to each other. I am definetly recommend this to you. It is a must to do lifetime experience and it is very special. You will learn a lot of new, different things.

 

Thank you for your reply and I just wanted to add that I love your username lol <3

[zella]

 

Here are some general questions:

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

 

I was an exchange student in Greece.

 

1. Sometimes i didn't do night out and our canteen was free so usually ate my dinner there.
2. I rented a home and i had one roommate,we were talking but we weren't close.Also it didn't create any problem.
3. Hmm...First week was hard for me but in second week,i got over it automatically lol.And we did face-time occasionally.
4. For 2-3 days,yeah.
5. Yes,i joined parties,welcome days etc.
6. Strongly yes.

*If you can't find any friend,don't feel bad about it.Being alone isn't a problem.

[Mingyu's Blue Hair]

Thank you for your reply and I just wanted to add that I love your username lol <3

No problem and thank you so much 

 

[leqant]

This summer I went on a two week program in France (Paris and Bordeaux) so I will answer some questions

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

I paid it out of my own pocket which I had saved.  It should be noted that I almost dropped out of my program due to high costs but went on due to the deposit I had to pay for despite withdrawing and that I could get GE credits out of it.  I only went under the condition that I got another job in addition to my actual one

 

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

I had one roommate and it went surprisingly well despite never living with people outside my family and having poor social skills.  We especially bonded over soccer an the World Cup (which was going on at the time)

 

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

I actually had family (my dad's cousin and her immediate family) in Paris and my dad was stationed at his cousin's house

 

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

While France had high concerns of terrorism (soldiers were out patrolling), I did not think too much about the threat when I was there.  My dad did get pick pocketed though so I was on the lookout.

 

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

In addition to family members, I also met some guests.  Honestly, I felt I connected more with the guests than I did with the other students

 

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

If you are not willing to pay huge money, I would give a big no.  But if the program's price is cheap relative to the length I would say go for it.

[sakurahanabira]

I studied abroad in South Korea at SNU 3 years ago for a summer program. The majority of my expenses were paid for by the scholarships I was eligible for since the program I did had a partnership with SNU, and because there was a sibling scholarship where if you and your sibling both attend the program you get 20% your tuition. And then because I registered early I was eligible for the early registration scholarship which waives the admission fee. 

[blank_stare]

So many people, wow! I went to study for a bit and I'm very happy to see you all reply to my topic <3

 

Here are some general questions:

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

 

 

Thank you guys so much in advance anyone who replies  you don't have to answer all of my questions lmao I like to plan things ok!!

 

1. Money was a problem half of the time I was in the Philippines. Parents sent money to my sister and I, so budgeting is a must. Usually starve sometimes to save money. 

2. Roommate is sister, but we were living under the roof of a close relative.

3. Horrible at first. Taken into an account that we had to stay there for four-five years, but came back US for vacation. But you start to miss the good time you did while in a foreign school. But when you're almost finished with your school, stress and schoolwork, you just wished you were back home.

4. There were times especially at night, but I had people surrounded with me, so there's that.

5. Yes, meeting new people and befriending them is fun.

6. Just for the sole experience of it, yes. There are ups and downside of going to a foreign school, but the experience you get is good and a betterment for your being if you ever want to study abroad. 

[Iceprince]

So many people, wow! I went to study for a bit and I'm very happy to see you all reply to my topic <3

 

Here are some general questions:

 

1. How did you deal with money (and more specifically the problem of not wanting to spend too much of it but also having a good time abroad)?

2. Did you have a roommate, and if so, how did this go? How did you create moments for yourself amongst this?

3. How did you deal with loneliness and not having your friends or family around?

4. Did you ever feel unsafe?

5. Did you meet a lot of people while abroad, and if so how?

6. Would you recommend going abroad?

 

As for Korea:

 

1. Did you go around not knowing a lot of Korean, and if so how did this go?

2. Did you, specifically as a woman, ever feel unsafe? Were you there before the hidden camera epidemic?

3. Did you periodically get money from a bank, did you use your creditcard or did you take a whole lot of cash with you?

 

 

Thank you guys so much in advance anyone who replies you don't have to answer all of my questions lmao I like to plan things ok!!

Lets see

 

1. I took the student loan and got aids from my uni and finnish goverment. So basically i didnt spend my 'own' money. In korea eatimg out is mostly cheaper than making your own food (pasta is cheap and there alot of 1+1 offers) and lunch boxes in convenient stores are actually delicious even though they are cheap (around 3-4 dollars). Also university neighborhoods are cheap places overall. Also many sightseeing spots are free (like museums) or have super cheap entramce fee (some places less tha 1 dollar).

 

2. I had 2 roommates. Both were my friends. However im a person who likes their own space. Our time living together went well. We did had couple of time some small arguments but nothing serious. We had our own rooms so that really helped to create my own place but also our schedules were so different (we went different unis) so we had basically see each others on weekends (and mornings and evenings). I had free day when they had school and they had free day when i was in school. So we had much personal time too.

 

3. Im a person with not many friends so loneliness wasnt that big a problem at first. I mean i lived my friends and my friends back home were already living another city than me so messagin them is normal. But in korea everyone has either group of friends or bf/gf so end of my exchange i started to feel a little bit lonely especially when i was out alone. I called to my paremts once a week during the whole time there. My tip is to participate as many events as your uni offers to students. There you can meet new people and even if you dont make friends it's good way to spend time. Even though there were friemds groups they always welcomed new people to join.

 

4. If we not count the fact that north korea was in the neighbor. I did not feel unsafe. Sure i was tried to be rob three times (each time they wanted me to come with them to 'experience' korean culture. Never go with them. It's better to miss experience than be sorry that something bad happened. Just say you are meeting with your friend and go) but if you use common sence you will survive.

 

5. Yeah i met a lot of people. I usually participated events our uni offered to exchange students. We had different types of activies like lunches, dinners, visiting places etc. It was a good way to meet people. I also met people via my friend from their schools. Im not a night club person but i went there couple of times with my friends and met people also there. I dont feel i made some life long friemds ships but i had fun

 

6. I do. It's a good way come out of your confort zone and grow as a person. It also opens your view of the world. And hey at least you habe some stories to share with the people back home lol.

 

Now about korea

 

1. I did have some basic knowledge of korean before like alphabets, how to order and some basic grammar points. But i took korean courses in my uni and it made my skills better. You can survibe without any korean skills (my friend is a great example). I noticed that the farther you go away from the tourist areas the less they will speak english. If you are prepared to those trips (like maps, apps etc) you will survive

 

2. Im a man so i cant comment much but my friends didnt complain anything even though they walked alone at night. But walking alone at night, man or woman, has always it risks tho. We were the before the camera epidemic.

 

3. Korea is the heaven of credit cards. If you have Visa or Mastercard they will work. I had 2 creditcards (one was credit/depit card) and one visa electron. I also had korean credit card (our student card was also a credit card but you had to open a bank account to use it) but i never used it. I changed about 500 dollar cash in money exchange place next to china's embassy. It's said to be the best place. I usually carried a little bit cash with me just in case my cards didnt work (the only place i had problems to pay with my cards was Ikea). I withdrew money from atms when i run out the money i had changed. There was a good atm at seoul station. I did had a chance to open a korean bank account but i didnt do it because it would have been just too much hassle (the only time i regretted it was when i was buying a ticket to Taeyeon christmas concert).

 

I hope this was helpful

[Yoonability]

Lets see

 

1. I took the student loan and got aids from my uni and finnish goverment. So basically i didnt spend my 'own' money. In korea eatimg out is mostly cheaper than making your own food (pasta is cheap and there alot of 1+1 offers) and lunch boxes in convenient stores are actually delicious even though they are cheap (around 3-4 dollars). Also university neighborhoods are cheap places overall. Also many sightseeing spots are free (like museums) or have super cheap entramce fee (some places less tha 1 dollar).

 

2. I had 2 roommates. Both were my friends. However im a person who likes their own space. Our time living together went well. We did had couple of time some small arguments but nothing serious. We had our own rooms so that really helped to create my own place but also our schedules were so different (we went different unis) so we had basically see each others on weekends (and mornings and evenings). I had free day when they had school and they had free day when i was in school. So we had much personal time too.

 

3. Im a person with not many friends so loliness wasnt that big a problem at first. I mean i lived my friends and my friends back home were already living another city than me so messagin them is normal. But in korea everyone has either group of friends of bf/gf so end of my exchange i started to feel a little bit lonely especially when i was out alone. I called to my paremts once a week during the whole time there. My tip is to participate as many events your uni offers to students. There you can meet new people and even if you dont make friends it's good way to spend time. Even though there were friemds groups they always welcomed new people to join.

 

4. If we not count the fact that north korea was in the neighbor. I did not feel unsafe. Sure i was tried to be rob three times (each time they wanted me to come with them to 'experience' korean culture. Never go with them. It's better to miss experience than be sorry that something bad happened. Just say you are meeting with your friend and go) but if you use common sence you will survive.

 

5. Yeah i met a lot of people. I usually participated events our uni offered to exchange students. We had different types of activies like lunches, dinners, visiting places etc. It was a good way to meet people. I also met people via my friend from their schools. Im not a night club person but i went there couple of times with my friends and met people also there. I dont feel i made some life long friemds ships but i had fun

 

6. I do. It's a good way come out of your confort zone and grow as a person. It also opens your view of the world. And hey at least you habe some stories to share with the people back home lol.

 

Now about korea

 

1. I did have some basic knowledge of korean before like alphabets, how to order and some basic grammar points. But i took korean courses in my uni and it made my skills better. You can survibe without any korean skills (my friend is a great example). I noticed that the farther you go away from the tourist areas the less they will speak english. If you are prepared to those trips (like maps, apps etc) you will survive

 

2. Im a man so i cant comment much but my friends didnt complain anything even though they walked alone at night. But walking alone at night, man or woman, has always it risks tho. We were the before the camera epidemic.

 

3. Korea is the heaven of credit cards. If you have Visa or Mastercard they will work. I had 2 creditcards (one was credit/depit card) and one visa electron. I also had korean credit card (our student card was also a credit card but you had to open a bank account to use it) but i never used it. I changed about 500 dollar cash in money exchange place next to china's embassy. It's said to be the best place. I usually carried a little bit cash with me just in case my cards didnt work (the only place i had problems to pay with my cards was Ikea). I withdrew money from atms when i run out the money i had changed. There was a good atm at seoul station. I did had a chance to open a korean bank account but i didnt do it because it would have been just too much hassle (the only time i regretted it was when i was buying a ticket to Taeyeon christmas concert).

 

I hope this was helpful

 

Thank you very much, this was very detailed and it helped me a lot <3 I'm happy you had a great time in Korea! 

[Newton'sApples]

I was a student in a university at Paris

 

1-For the money, it was pretty hard cause Paris is Fucking expensive(rent, transportation, food...) but as a student you can get some help (rent allowance)

2- I had a roomate and it was awful, the sad thing is that we were friends before coming to France but it didn't work out.

3- I'm a lonely person and I like it that way, so it wasn't hard even tho I miss my family sometimes, 1 or 2 calls a day could help

4- I was in a pretty safe neighbourhood

5- France is really diverse, many students and teachers from different countries, so Yes Ive got to meet a lot of people

6- If you have the money and the ambition go for it!