My Dorm-CJ International House

Hello blog readers,

Today I will give you my detailed review about my stay at CJ International House. I give it 4 out of 5. I did enjoy my stay there, however their were many cons as well as pros to living conditions; but what place is perfect right?

 Firstly, lets talk about its location. CJ along with Anam 2 and Anam Global House is located on top of a large hill behind the campus. So if you are not a fan of hills, I do not recommend it.

However, one good point to the location is that it is located near the Tiger Dome and field; a great place to run on the track, play soccer, or basketball and the occasionally school events; such as Ipselesti concert would take place on the field, so it can be quite convenient to the dorm.

Another plus to living in CJ and the rest of the dorms is access to food. Halfway up the hill, there is a GS25: convenient store and the dorm cafeteria. The dorm cafeteria is can only be purchased by students living in the dorm. (The food in the cafeteria isn't the tastiest but it is filling)

Lets talk about the actual dorm. When you first walk up to CJ you will see a glass door with a panel right next to it, on that panel you must scan your card until you hear the door click to enter the building. (Often when the weather is nice, they will leave the door open to let air in.) 

When you walk inside that is the FIRST FLOOR: LOBBY 

           -Desk Area: Security Guard (ask for help)

           -Computers and Printers (anytime use; to print must buy print card for 5,000 won from desk)

           -International Cafe (was not open when I was there)

           -Waiting area

           -Elevator (Males on the LEFT and Females on the RIGHT)

The SECOND FLOOR: GYM 

           -Gym (Very basic: Treadmills, small free weights, machines, water cooler, scale, etc...)

(I recommend exercising in the morning, less people.)

           -Teacher residents (along with students many foreign teachers stay in the dorms. Their rooms                                              are much better, equipped with kitchenette, television, bathroom and                                                      balcony. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH STUDENT DORMS) 

           -Also on the second floor there are flags of universities associated with KU.

The THIRD FLOOR: MALE RESIDENCE

The FOURTH TO SIXTH FLOOR: FEMALE RESIDENCE (4th floor says males though)

The BASEMENT FLOOR: B1

            -Phones

            -Vending machines (Drinks ONLY)

            -Music Room (ask for keys at the front desk)

            -Lounge Area: Tables, TV, DVD player (No one ever turned on the TV)

            -Coin Dispenser

            -Laundry Room (Machines only take two 500 won coins each) 

I stayed on the fifth floor, Room 543D. When you get off the elevator you walk into a living space with couches. As you walk along the hall you will pass a glass door on your right, those rooms are for teachers an faculty. On your left will be study rooms, however those are gender restricted as well.  Next you will pass bathrooms on your left and a balcony as well. You will walk through another door and that is where all the dorms are located, as well as two kitchens located on each side of the floor. The kitchens have two fridges, a stove (broken oven), microwave, toaster, sink and water cooler. All food waste and wrappers go into the trash in there. 

I stayed in a four person dorm.The dorm as a whole was quite large and the single rooms was just enough for me. Also I had to share a bathroom and shower with only the roommate on my side. There are two outlets in the room; one under the desk and the other at the foot of the bed. 

There are cleaning ladies that come once and week to clean only the toilet, shower and sink area, please be considerate to them and try to keep your areas tidy. 

Extra notes:

-Wifi isn't the best in the dorms so internet cord is provided

-The first few days you will not have a student account yet, so no access to KU WiFi

-Wifi only works best in sitting area not in dorm rooms

-CJ isn't very good on enforcing their rules.

-The gym isn't really checked on so friends can use it

-We've had guest stay over on our couches, they do not remember everyone.

-They do not like you to eat in the room, 

-You cannot control the level of temp in your room, you can only turn it off and on. (Air conditioner turns on when they think it is hot enough.)

-Mid Semester there will be a room inspections for alcohol, open food and dangerous weapons

-Losing key results in 20,000 won fine

-You can rent bed sheet and pillow

Dorm Options

Hello blog readers, 

During that summer I rewrote and revised my essay over and over again, until I felt confident enough to turn it in with my application. When the fall semester began again, I had completed my UC International Abroad Application and worked on the second part of the Online application. I also attended a Pre-departure orientation; here is where you will receive a code required for your online application. Lastly I sent in my application to Korea University. As long as you keep a note about your deadlines and stay in contact with your traveling adviser you should have no problem with the application process.

Enough with all my blabbering of forms and applications. Lets talk about something fun. Where you will live for the next 4 months in Korea?

Your first option would be the University dorms that are offered. These are 

                      Anam Global House, Anam 2 (Males Only) and CJ International House

*CJ is Korea University's dorms. It is located behind the campus and is about a 10 minute walk to it. For the application process you are required to setup your own account, during the setup you will choose your preference of room, updated info and you are all set. You will not need to worry about the TB test and Dorm receipt until you are assigned a room. (CJ was my dorm.)

Another option I recommend is

                            

                                                           Crimson House

Crimson House is located right in front of the main gates of Korea University campus. Its very easy to get a reservation. Just log on the website and input your information. If you call and talk to Christine the manager, she speaks very good English.

If you do not like these two options I recommend these two websites:

                                                       Airbnb or Goshipages

Both of these are great sites for finding cheap and nice hostels or apartments for students.

*I will give a more detailed report on the actual dorms and hostels in my next post.

First Timer Session

                                          (University of Cincinnati)

Hello blog readers,

My decision to study abroad initially began in my 2nd year as a sophomore, in the Spring 2014. I do not remember exactly what perked my interest at that time, but I did remember saying I would regret my time in college if I did not study abroad at least once. I was already learning Japanese so I decided to take advantage of my opportunity and try something absolutely new.

My first official step to studying abroad was going to a "First Timer Session" meeting; (located on the top floor of the Swift building.) There I met with Jill Reister, and we talked about possible countries, universities that have partnerships with UC, different abroad programs and etc. Since I was sure I wanted to go to South Korea, we set an appointment to meet again and talk more. The second meeting was located at the UC International Study Abroad Office. There she explained the applications steps, timelines and deadlines, information and scholarships. 

Scholarships requirements were personal information, transcripts, and etc. But also a Personal Essay that explains a little bit about yourself and why you would like to travel. Another requirement is the Follow up Project Essay; it is to explain the way you will give back to your university and scholarship,connected with your time abroad. (ex. MY BLOG) 

I applied to two scholarships: (Recommend applying to multiple)

                   "UCInternational Grant" and "Benjamin A Gilman InternationalScholarship."

                               (Click on for links to the Scholarship Website)

Studying in Korea 2015

                                         (Picture taken by Celine Lee)


Hello blog readers.

My name is Monica. I am a junior at the University of Cincinnati. I am majoring  in Asian Studies and minoring in International Business. This blog is intend to inform anyone who is interested studying abroad in South Korea at Korea University, specifically.

My semester began in March of 2015, which is around the time I actually created this blog. However, due to the amount of studying, exploring experiences I had in Korea, it was extremely difficult to have time to write; I fully intended to before going. Unfortunately, I am currently back in the city of Cincinnati and have all the time to update the blog now, fortunately for you readers, right?

First and foremost I would like to thank my university and Korea University for having a wonderful partnership, and enabling me to travel to Korea and study at such a prestigious school as, KU. The international and financial advisers I had definitely made it possible. Also I would like to thank the amazing and awesome individuals I met in Korea, from the first people I saw at the airport to the wonderful friends that met and created lifetime memories and bonds with. These people made Korea a life changing, eye opening, and eternally memorable experience in my life. Currently its only been about a week since my return, leaving a country like Korea and my family that I made there was one of the toughest obstacles of my life.......

My main advice to you students interested in studying abroad is........ENJOY IT! Meet as much people as you can. Be open minded. Try all the foods, no matter how strange it is. Explore not only the tourist areas, go on a quest to find the weirdest places. Don't forget to study but also have as much fun as you can. It is an absolutely life changing experience and you will have the time of your life. LEAVE WITH NO REGRETS!