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Well, I felt like writing up a blog about this literally for months now but I haven't gotten around to it until now...I guess it's just laziness?
Anyway, I'm currently a sophomore at Rutgers University and I applied (and was accepted) for a semester abroad in Korea during the Fall (so from late august to late december) at Ewha University. Ewha is a girls school, but the international program is co-ed. I'm very much looking forward to going, as I really want to take a break from Computer Science if only for a semester (my major has gone from my favorite thing in the world to one of my most despised classes). I'm also eager to, of course, watch a shitload of starcraft/starcraft 2 while I'm there! I don't think this needs much elaboration. Thankfully Ewha is located in Seoul, so I should have easy access to the GOM studio and the mall where proleague takes place. I hope sc lasts until I get there!
If anyone has questions for me/has their own insight on college life while in Korea please post! I'd love to talk to someone who has undergone/wants to undergo the same experience I am going to undergo.
Aside from that, I have another thing that has been on my mind for months. I've always been at a fairly high masters on NA level, but recently I've been playing fairly well. Taking games off of notable pros/hitting them on ladder on a frequent basis. I feel like this has been terrible for my gameplay/mindset while I'm at school - I'm starting to get too wrapped up in playing this game and my schoolwork has taken a backseat as a result. I think that these wins over people playing the game fulltime has gotten me thinking of trying to go pro (which has long been a dream of mine as a kid). In the mean time, I'm going to keep my focuses on CSL/minor online tournies and just trying to win something there..unless I win something I really shouldn't drop everything I'm doing just for a videogame.
idk
 
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Good luck, from what I've heard you will love your semester over there!
I'm planning on doing my study abroad for Korea in the spring 2013. My school offers exchanges to Yonsei, Korea University, Seoul National Univ., and Ewha (the one you are attending). I'd be happy with going to any of them, but I think Korea University is the best bet for me since my major is International Studies and I'm pretty sure they are well known for that, but I'd much prefer the location of Yonsei or Ewha..
Are you going to stick with Computer Science? If you are starting to hate it, I'd give at least some thought if you haven't already into something else.
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I enjoy programming, but I dislike the theory/research which Computer Science is deeply intertwined with. I just want to get through with my focus - Software Engineering and get outta here. My only realistic alternative is going into the IT major, which I feel like is an incredible cop-out.
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On April 26 2012 06:27 TylerThaCreator wrote:
I enjoy programming, but I dislike the theory/research which Computer Science is deeply intertwined with. I just want to get through with my focus - Software Engineering and get outta here. My only realistic alternative is going into the IT major, which I feel like is an incredible cop-out.
Dude the IT major is only a cop-out in terms of not having to put in ridiculous hrs of schoolwork and research. It's true you'll have more free time but only until you find a good internship where you can learn a lot of stuff the courses don't cover-- which is what I'm going to be doing all summer.
Also it really comes down to your interests too, comp sci is a bit more streamlined so if you really can't stand it then you probably should think about switching or at least double majoring (you could also just minor in comp sci I think). The ITI classes are more business focused with some programming/psych/sociology themes mixed in and some room for specialization. If you think you'd be interested in any of that, then at least take a look over the course listing and sign up for 103.
Also you better train your ass off in KR, and visit Artosis on a regular basis for some words of wisdom. If you don't get GM I will be disappoint
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Any course you take there is going to be so easy, considering they know you're an exchange student. I took 1 business and 1 computer science course and got two A's easily, even though I didn't do so well on the exams. It's a bit weird walking into a class of 99% girls at first, but always something to appreciate.
Oh, also, be sure to try out all the food places near Ewha, especially the 왕만두 cart if it's still there~
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On May 01 2012 15:38 OMS wrote:
Any course you take there is going to be so easy, considering they know you're an exchange student. I took 1 business and 1 computer science course and got two A's easily, even though I didn't do so well on the exams. It's a bit weird walking into a class of 99% girls at first, but always something to appreciate.
Oh, also, be sure to try out all the food places near Ewha, especially the 왕만두 cart if it's still there~
Did you go with the thought that a vast majority of Korean girls have kpop looks and subsequently have that thought shattered when you walked into class?
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How was your Korean pre-travel? I feel like I need to have a pretty decent grasp of the language before I go or otherwise I'll feel too out of the loop.
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KOREA IS AMAZING omg
I wish I could go back.
Try to learn as much of the language as you can before you go. Hangul is ezpz
Eat everything. Try everything. Really.
Have fun. Drink a lot of soju. ^^ Make KOREAN friends. Koreans are AWESOME friends.
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On May 01 2012 15:55 The_LiNk wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2012 15:38 OMS wrote:
Any course you take there is going to be so easy, considering they know you're an exchange student. I took 1 business and 1 computer science course and got two A's easily, even though I didn't do so well on the exams. It's a bit weird walking into a class of 99% girls at first, but always something to appreciate.
Oh, also, be sure to try out all the food places near Ewha, especially the 왕만두 cart if it's still there~ Did you go with the thought that a vast majority of Korean girls have kpop looks and subsequently have that thought shattered when you walked into class?
A lot of girls that I saw at my school were... comparable. 
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i'm at yonsei next semester! we should meet up!
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Awesome hearing this!
I am studying Korean in Denmark Copenhagen, and I am also hopefully going to Korea, Yonsei, next year!
I am still waiting for the reply from Yonsei, so I don't really know if I will be able to go yet, but I got past the first five steps or so in the stupid bureaucracy, before being able to apply for an exchange spot - so I am kinda counting on being accepted with all the work already put in 
I wonder how many TL'ers we have around i Korea? :O
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On May 01 2012 15:55 The_LiNk wrote:
Did you go with the thought that a vast majority of Korean girls have kpop looks and subsequently have that thought shattered when you walked into class?
I didn't have that mindset going in, but surprisingly a lot of them dress and present themselves really well every day, so a lot do look good on a daily basis.
On May 01 2012 16:17 TylerThaCreator wrote:
How was your Korean pre-travel? I feel like I need to have a pretty decent grasp of the language before I go or otherwise I'll feel too out of the loop.
It was all right, very very basic. You learn a lot there if you take classes (4-5 days/week, ~3 hours a day) and there are programs there to pair up with Korean students to learn as well. Bonding with the Korean buddies is easy, they're all really friendly.
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I am planing to go to Korea in 2015 for a year. Our school has an exchange program with Kyung Hee University so I might go there or see if I could get somewhere else 
How much Korean and what kind of do you "need" to know. I know they kinda have two languages too so should I try to learn both of focus on the more formal/informal one?
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EPT
