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Jeju National University

South Korea 2024/2025 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
Study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Vietnamese Studies / Vietnamese Studies

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2024

Period of placement (from-to):
2024-08-29 - 2024-12-21

Number of months:
4

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
JNU ''Jeju National University'' provides information on its website and student coordinator.

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Documents required by CZS, Transcript of records, Proof of language proficiency (Certificate, exam,...)

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
A little bit more than a year prior

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Filled form from the embassy website, Certificate of admission, Certificate of business registration (both given by the university), passport photo, passport, Confirmation of studies here in the Czech Republic (original) Letter of recommendation from the home university, Copy of the cooperation agreement between the two universities, Reservation of accommodation, Reservation of flight ticket, Application fee

Length of wait for visa:
Standart time is 3 weeks

Fee for the visa:
Around 60 USD

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Courses are registered through the host university coordinator. You can make changes up until the end of the first week of the semester.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes. There are "midterms" exams in the middle of the semester and final exams.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
no

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
1 Korean credit = 1,67 ECTS

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Courses were conducted in English, and active participation in class was essential. One professor required us to complete readings before class so that we were prepared to engage with the presentation content. This was followed by either a group discussion or a class-wide discussion. Another professor divided us into groups, and at the end of each class, we were given time to discuss our selected topics. Additionally, there was weekly homework assigned.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
The courses were somewhat easier to follow because they were taught in English, and the level of English among the university students at the host institution was not particularly high.

How did you receive study materials?:
Through the study portal and some were given printed.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Jennie Hahn was an interesting professor in her classes such as Jeju culture. Also I recommend Korea today and tomorrow class with Darren Southcott.

How well is the school library equipped?:
Most books in Korean, some in english and access to rent a movie in the library.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Almost everywhere is a jeju university wifi but also eduoram wifi. I recommend bringing your own notebook even though it is possible to use a library computer.

Options from printing and copying:
Possible for a small fee

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
There are trips you can register to and participate in for ex. korean sweets making and visiting nearby nature. Also some other events such as sports festival.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
4

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
University dormitory

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
120 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Shared room with two beds, two desks, own shower and toilet, small fridge. There is shared microwaves, laundry machines, a dryer (for a small fee), and study rooms, and in dormitory 4 there is a small gym with running machines, weights, weightlifting machines and mats.
There is no kitchen. All female and all male dormitory.

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
There are no blankets or pillows provided.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
You will state in your application you will use the dormitory, and choose the dormitory (there is several choices with different price ranges). Pay a dormitory fee about a month ahead.

What are the catering options?:
There is a discounted breakfast in one dormitory restaurant for 1000 Korean won (Around 1USD). Lunch and dinner in the dormitory restaurant is around 5000 Korean won. There is plenty of restaurants around the school campus.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Fruits and vegetables are at least double or even triple the price compared to the Czech Republic. However, typical Korean groceries such as rice, seaweed, and tofu are slightly cheaper than in the Czech Republic.

Transport to location of placement:
From Czech Republic is best to go to Vienna and take a plane to Seoul or Busan. In Seoul you may have to change the airport. Then you take another plane from Seoul or Busan to Jeju. Then you take a bus straight to the uni campus.

Rough prices for transportation:
1 bus ride is for around 1250 korean won = 20 czk

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
It's better to buy both tickets at once if you know when you are coming back to the Czech Republic.
Air China's price is quite reasonable and airlines flying to Jeju usually don't have that much baggage allowance but buying extra kg is not that pricy.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
There are only buses on Jeju. You can also rent a bike or walk.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
The university coordinator will provide guidance, but you will be responsible for paying for Korean health insurance and applying for an Alien Registration Card. Additionally, please check if there are any required documents from CZS that you need to complete when you begin your studies at the university.

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
Payment for Korean health insurance is mandatory, and it costs about 70,000 KRW per month. The first month there is no insurance so its better to have one from Czech.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
Yes, I had to take health check-ups and needed surgery. The clinic I visited was very professional. However some costs were not covered by Korean health insurance completely.

Did you work during your studies?:
No. You are only allowed to work after you are more than 6 months at the university.

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
I am not sure. Is it allowed?

Tips for free-time activities:
Jeju is perfect for hiking and going to the beach. There are several islands around Jeju that you can visit. There are also several traditional markets and cultural sites to explore. There are also many aesthetically pleasing coffee shops.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
80000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
4

Total number of months:
4

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Saved up money and help from my parents.

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
16000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
3500 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
7000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
5500 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
18

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
27

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
They are taken as a voluntary subject, not as a part of my studies.

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
2

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
2

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
Some financial issues and getting check-ups and requiring surgery.

What would you recommend to take with you:
Save some money beforehand (since you get a scholarship only after you arrive at the university), warm clothes for winter.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
There were many school-related activities, such as festivals and outings. The university was situated on a large, centralized campus in the middle of a forest.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Lack of a kitchen in the dormitory, less interaction with local students, condition of the dormitory. Smaller selection of English speaking courses.

Further comments: