<p>So, I'm really really interested in Korean culture, and stuff. I'm originally Chinese, but I live in America. I really really want to do a study abroad for at least one semester, possibly one year in Korea for like my Junior or Senior year.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about study abroad programs in general? How much of the language do you have to know? Is language that much of a barrier? (like I know how to speak some of it, but reading, writing, I'm horrible at) Would English help? Where do you live?</p>
<p>I'm korean, I visit Korea often and although I haven't done any study abroad programs I will give you my 2 cents.</p>
<p>English will help, but alot of people don't speak english all that well (they could probably understand it to certain extent). And people will most likely confuse you for Korean because you are Asian so they'll probably talk to you in Korean (just in general I mean) Actually they talked to white friend in Korean when she visited haha..(and she doesn't know any Korean so)</p>
<p>Language will be a barrior in everyday life kinda thing, but schools usually provide you with english classes if you can't speak Korean. You'll most likely still be required to take korean language courses before you go anyhow.</p>
<p>When you go, you'll most likely find some other people who are foreign exchange student so it won't be just you speaking English...</p>
<p>If you go to any school for exchange student, I recommend Yonsei <em>연세</em> University. It supposedly has connection to pretty much every school in the world (or at least America) and has really nice exchange student programs, much more than Seoul University (ranked 1 in the nation)according what I heard from people who went. think they redid the foreign student dormitory not to long ago... well I heard it was really nice AND it is ranked 2 in the nation (people are always dying to get in so..) I think its also in the city so you can go around sight seeing. Then again, S. Korea's pretty small (it takes 4 hours in a car i think to reach from one side to another) so it shouldn't be that difficult.</p>
<p>i say, challenge them to a DUEL!!! my invincible deck allowed me to conquer every obstacles in foreign studies. all the geeks around the world are awed by by my terrifying deck. i won all the magic championships and was never defeated.</p>
<p>do you have any possible advice for learning Korean? I'm probably going to start from the beginning as sort of a formal training, and just doing it myself. I'll be transferring to a place where they actually teach the language, but I'd like to get a start on it</p>
<p>I've got a few Korean friends who say that it's pretty easy to learn (in terms of technicalities)</p>
<p>I picked up my korean just from listening to them, watching movies, and being around a few koreans over the years so... mine's probably not all that formal and stuff.</p>
<p>Here's some good advice: never study Korean or talk with Koreans and you'll find that you learn it naturally. I know this because it works, I guarantee it.</p>
<p>I'm going to guess that you really have nothing to contribute to this topic and just assuming you're trolling and being a prick for trolling sake.</p>
<p>I'll be sure to keep in mind to give you the same response to any topics or comments you make.</p>
<p>I'm serious. If you don't believe what I said, then you should try it and observe just how much better you'll become. But if you don't want my advice then you shouldn't ask for it.</p>
<p>I'm studying in humanities so I try to help people. You should listen to your heart, which tells you to follow everything forum-goers like myself say. And you should sing with all the voices of the mountain, you need to paint with all the colors of the wind.</p>
<p>I suggest watching alot of movies and listening to alot of music.. That's how i understand japanese to certain extent today. Are you trying to learn formal Korean though? You might want to have some text book handy, I suppose.</p>
<p>I suggest learning the formal speech first (jon daet mal) before you learn informal (banmal)though. It just makes things simpler, I think... You can use formal to everybody but not informal to everybody (some adults will probably get super ****ed off).</p>
<p>In Korea, a lot of the younger generation has at least some conversational ability in english so you should be fine. The only real pitfalls you may encouter are the social customs that outsiders don't really know about. For example, when drinking, you NEVER pour your own shot. There are some books on social customs that I suggest you take a look at. It sounds like a fun opportunity...I wish I could do the same.</p>
<p>I got an e-mail a while ago about scholarships for summer language study abroad programs in various countries, one of which was Korea (through U of M, I believe). Lemme know if you want me to find that and forward it on to you.</p>