#yonsei

1. Research all your options

A year ago, I dreamed for the opportunity to go Korea. I had my plan set in mind that I was going to go to this specific school in Songdo (about 45 mins outside Seoul). But I started to realize the cons of the program. They did not offer enough courses in my major. Which oddly enough is Korean! That’s right, a Korean campus barely offered Korean languages classes. Plus, the school was just too far from Seoul for my liking. At this point the only thing stopping me from backing out was fear.  

I totally understand the feeling of having your heart set on a specific place, school, class and outright telling yourself there is no other option! I want this and I’ve already decided! That’s great, but from my experience even if you have already found an aboard program to apply for, double check all your options. First, check what your university offers. Find whose in charge of each program and email and set up a meeting over the phone or zoom with them to get an idea what they’re offering. Make a list of questions you want answered as well. Because who knows, that meeting may change your entire path! That’s what happened to me! I met with the director of the program for Yonsei University at my college and he convinced me I needed to go there instead.

2. Check what classes the school offers

https://portal.yonsei.ac.kr/main/indexe.jsp

This is so so important when making your decision. I’ve heard from other students that have attended Yonsei that didn’t bother to check if they had any major classes for them! I understand the want to study abroad, but choose a school that will fit your academic needs.

Now I can only speak for the Yonsei exchange program so I don’t know how its done anywhere else. To check what classes Yonsei University offers to exchange students (classes in English) visit the link for the Yonsei course Portal. From there, click the box that says Course Catalog and syllabus. There you can enter either course codes or course names. I recommend typing in a generic name like history and see what comes up. IMPORTANT: To know if a class is welcome for exchange students look at the far right column labeled EXCHANGE. It will either have an X or O telling you if you are eligible.

3. Stay on top of everything!

Abroad programs require tons of paperwork. It is a MUST that you make a check list of everything that you need to get done. Some documents you will need will come from your school and the aboard program. If you are missing anything or you are waiting on someone to get your required documents such official transcripts or papers needed for visa, Send. an. email. If you’re not comfortable at sending email now, you will be when this experience is over. Never expect your school or advisor to keep track of anything for you. You must know the ETA of the whole process. I repeat, do not wait around for someone to email you about it. Get it done. 

4. Find communities entering the same program.

One of the most important things I’ve learned from this experience is don’t do it alone. Look for Facebook, Discord, or in my case Kakao groups that are in the same boat as you! The best way to describe an exchange group chat is if you put all your brains together, you form one person that actually knows whats going on! It’s a great place to ask questions and make some friends before you get there as well! Studying abroad can be scary, so try to find support.

5. Nothing is ever simple