Semester in Seoul - Sogang University

Semester in Seoul - Sogang University I studied at Sogang University with CIS Abroad in the spring semester of 2025 as part of a requirement for graduation in my degree plan. I was extremely hesitant about the trip at first, especially since it was my first time traveling abroad alone, and I would be living and studying in a completely new culture in a country where I didn’t know the language. But CIS Abroad made it so simple, easy, and fun. Before I even applied for the trip, CIS Abroad’s advisors and coordinators were there to answer any of my questions in a detailed and timely manner. Once I arrived in Seoul, my on-site program coordinator was there to help me every step of the way, arranging airport pickup and even a hotel to stay at with others on the CIS Abroad trip the first night, after such a long flight and jet lag, so that we could be fully rested before checking into our dorms the next day. Our on-site coordinator also helped us exchange currency, get an e-sim card, and provided dinner and breakfast while we were settling in. We all had a barrage of questions, but she was very informative and friendly. The next day, when we arrived and checked into our dorm, our program coordinator stayed nearby in case we needed anything. We had several welcome events and orientations, both by CIS Abroad and Sogang University, in the next few days to help us adjust to life in Seoul. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly, while letting us maintain our independence and explore the city on our own. One of my favorite parts of my study abroad was how quickly I made friends with other exchange students and other CIS Abroad members. It’s tough making friends in college, but our cohort was small enough and we had enough events together that we all got to know each other really well. I always had someone to explore a new restaurant with or walk through the streets of Hongdae. Although we may live on separate sides of the U.S., we still text and call every day. Because I was studying abroad in Seoul, I expected to meet lots of Korean students, but I was surprised at how many friends I made with exchange students from across the world. Some of my favorite cross-cultural exchanges were learning Swedish drinking games from two students from Stockholm, working on a group project with a student from Kazakhstan, and learning the colloquial differences between Spanish in Mexico (being from Texas, that’s most of the Spanish I hear) versus the Spanish in Spain from a classmate from Valencia. CIS Abroad arranged several excursions and trips specifically for CIS Abroad students. These excursions never felt rushed or done on a budget; they were the perfect mix of cultural education and fun. Some of my favorite excursions were the Seoul scavenger hunt, hanbok rental experience and visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace (a classic Seoul must-do), an overnight trip to Yangyang Beach where we got to surf and visit several incredible Korean Buddhist temples, and the farewell dinner in Namsan Tower overlooking Seoul at a fancy restaurant with a four-course meal. Often after class or on the weekends, I would explore Seoul on my own. I loved eating at a solo BBQ restaurant and then going window shopping in Hongdae. One of my favorite activities was hiking famous trails like Inwangsan and Bukhansan. Hiking is a popular pastime for many Korean retirees, so I got to practice my basic Korean skills and share some snacks with locals, while also visiting temples and learning about Seoul’s history while traversing the mountains. One of the things I miss most about Korea are the traditional bathhouses, or Jjimjilbangs, with saunas, cheap massages and body scrubs, and various cold and hot baths. Korea is also known for its drinking culture and nightlife. Although we always made sure to practice basic safety tips like watching our drinks, avoiding clubs with bad reputations, and staying together in groups, we never felt unsafe or harassed while walking the streets, even at 2 or 3 a.m. Because I was there for a semester, I was able to take it easy. If I felt like laying in bed all day (I rarely did), I could, and then hit the ground running the next day exploring. I got to see a lot of things that on a one- or two-week vacation I would never do, like visiting the Seoul Botanical Gardens, taking a trip to Jeju with friends, or exploring the underground shopping malls in Gangnam. I loved my study abroad, and Seoul will always be in my heart. I am forever grateful to CIS Abroad for making it possible.

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Choosing this program was truly the best choice I ever made. I made lifelong friends with the other students I met in my CIS group as well as discovering the most amazing things about a country I can now never forget about. I experienced highs and lows all while completing challenging schoolwork on weekdays and traveling to different parts of Korea on weekends. I found amazing restaurants in nooks and crannies and got lost in subway stations (more times than I’m willing to admit). If I could go back in time and choose between this program and any other one, I would choose this one again and again, just to relive the amazing experience I had.

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I have really enjoyed spending my semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea with my provider CIS Abroad. Months before the arrival date I was already in close contact with my program's coordinator and other staff members, so all my questions were answered in a timely manner. Onsite we had an amazing director, who would go sightseeing with us, help with doctor's appointments, recommend delicious cafes near campus and in general would answer all of our questions. I felt that I wasn't alone in a foreign country and could always rely on our onsite director or other staff members working remotely. I made so many fun memories in Seoul, would highly recommend it to other students as well.

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This program provided me with an opportunity to grow in confidence in my abilities to navigate not only being away from home, but a city with a language barrier. I was able to begin to find myself as a person and learn more about both how big and small the world is. I learned that laughter is the same in every language and the saying “distance makes the heart grow fonder” is true. I wouldn’t trade this experience, pandemic or not, for the world. CISabroad was a wonderful support system while I was in the country, so I am grateful to them.

CISAbroad helped me every step of the way with preparing for my journey abroad. The off-site advisors and on-site advisors were amazing and super helpful when answering all of my questions. I am so glad I chose CISAbroad because I don’t think I could’ve planned this entire experience by myself! Aside from the planning, I thought it would be hard to make new friends abroad, but the other students I met through this program are now some of my good friends for life! I can’t wait to visit them once the holidays are over! Thank you CISAbroad! I will strongly recommend this program to anyone interested.

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Choosing to study with CIS in Korea was the best decision I ever made. The staff was with us every step of the way and ensured we had an experience of a lifetime. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to return to Seoul someday.

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I had never previously been out of my home country, so I was very anxious to be on my own in a country across the world. However, the CISAbroad staff (especially our program coordinator) made sure that I never felt alone and frequently checked up on all of those in my program. Due to the difficulties of traveling during the pandemic and quarantine measures put in place, our coordinator always encouraged us and made sure we were doing fine with every aspect of our life in Korea (academics, integrating into society, etc). In terms of Sogang itself, I was worried I would feel out of place in a campus that was bigger than my home college’s. Thankfully, Sogang’s campus has an atmosphere that reminds you of home with kind and welcoming people everywhere (students, faculty, and professors alike). If you are worried about pursuing a program like this or studying in Korea in general, please don’t be. I worried for nothing as CISabroad made the transition smooth and Koreans are such kindhearted people. I miss it there now and if you decide that go, I promise that each second will be 100% worth it and the only problem you will have is wishing you could visit again.

Since I went to South Korea in Spring 2021, there were still many Covid-19 restrictions, which added a unique element to my study abroad. For example, when I arrived in Seoul, I had to quarantine for two weeks, following the South Korean government's rules. Despite having some Covid-19 restrictions, I was able to immerse myself in the complex culture of South Korea. I was also able to still make some friends despite the added difficulty of having online classes and Covid restrictions. Choosing to study abroad with CIS had many benefits and some drawbacks. One of the best benefits of studying abroad with a program like CIS is having a built-in community. This is important as you enter into an unfamiliar environment. Another benefit of traveling with CIS is that they are essentially the middle-man between you and your host university. Some benefits that programs like CIS provide are organizing your visa process, living arrangements in-country, and group advantages. CIS also provides an estimated cost so that you can budget and fundraise effectively. However, using a middle-man can also be one of the greatest drawbacks if you like going directly to the source and handling issues yourself. By studying through a program, you may at times feel like you are not receiving enough information at one time about certain topics (i.e., times to book flights, when to apply for a visa, or when you will receive your transcripts). If this is so, then going through a study abroad program is not for you. As an alternative, I suggest you become an exchange student directly through the host university or look into an internship with the US State Department. In addition, I do not recommend studying abroad during your last semester of college because you may have to wait a couple of months before your transcript from your host university is completed and arrives at your home university. This may delay some of your after-graduation plans; therefore, plan ahead throughout your academic journey to make your dreams of studying abroad a reality. Overall, I enjoyed my time with CIS Abroad in South Korea very much. I spent most of my time outside of school exploring Seoul; however, I did have opportunities to travel into the countryside of Yangpyeong, visiting South Korea's largest Starbucks and into the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula to the ocean city of Busan. The memories I made on my study abroad trip will stay with me forever.

I chose to study in Seoul, South Korea, which if I was an electrical or mechanical engineer, would’ve been the perfect marketplace. However, the one section of engineering that South Korea lacks is aerospace, exactly my major! That doesn’t mean it was all for naught; I was still completing the basics of my engineering classes during my semester abroad. This allowed me to transfer back to my home university 9 credit hours towards my major, with 12 credit hours total transferred. You would think that math can’t possibly vary much, right? Of course, numbers are numbers, but the approach to solving a problem depends on cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which you may not even notice until you put yourself somewhere different. Besides the actual content of the classes I took, the different methods of problem solving and reaching a solution is the best thing I took away from my experience academically.

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