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Jeju National University

South Korea 2022/2023 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:
spring 2023

Period of placement (from-to):
2023-02-24 - 2023-07-10

Number of months:
4.5

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

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

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
At least a year prior.

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Filled out form available on the embassy website, Certificate of admission, Certificate of business registration (both given by university), passport photo, passport, a fee (60 USD)

Length of wait for visa:
3 weeks

Fee for the visa:
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?:
NO

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Courses were registered through host university coordinator. Changes could be done up to the end of the first week of the semester.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
YES

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

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

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
The courses were taught in English and it was necessary to participate. Professor's presentation was followed by class or group discussions. It was mandatory to be prepared for the next class through documents available on university app. In the middle of semester there were ''midterm'' exams, which were exams consisting of the half a semester topics. They and the final exams could be written, but also could be a class presentation with a PPT.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
It was slightly easier since the courses were taught in English and the level of English of the university students in the host university wasn't as high. Classes were taught in the intermediate level of English, so anyone could understand.

How did you receive study materials?:
Through online university app, but some were given to us printed.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Every class of professor Jenie Hahn was enjoyable and interesting, but especially her course Jeju culture was definetelly contributive.

How well is the school library equipped?:
There were majority of books in Korean, but one could find some literature in English. There were also some video documents like movies necessary for few classes.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Almost everywhere is a university WI-FI. There were few computers available in the library, but I recommend bringing your own notebook.

Options from printing and copying:
Once you made your online account you could print your documents for a small fee.

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

If yes then what?:
F.e. international food festival or few field trips

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:
Korean students are extremely shy and not confident in their English, so it was pretty difficult to make new friends unless you've put in a serious effort.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
In the university dormitory.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
150 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
There is no kitchen. You can use just a microwave and hot water. There is a common laundry room with few washing machines and one payed drier. There are no sheets, no pillows, no blankets - either bring your own or buy on the spot.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
You will state in your application that you would like to use the dormitory. Later on in the process you will choose one dormitory of 3 options and pay the fee (about a month prior).

What are the catering options?:
You can either pay for a meal in school - about 5000 krw = 100 czk. Or you can eat in nearby restaurant, cafés or convinient stores.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Fruit and veggies are at least a double or even tripple price compared to Czech Republic. But typicle korean groceries like rice, seaweed, tofu,.. are a bit cheaper than in CZ.

Transport to location of placement:
From Czech Republic it is necessary to use a plane - usually students fly to Seoul from Vienna and than switch to a domestic flight to Jeju. From the airport you can catch a bus that goes directly to university campus.

Rough prices for transportation:
1 bus ride is for 1250 krw = 20 czk.

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
If you know when you are coming back to Czech Republic, definetelly buy a return ticket. It is way cheaper if you buy both at once.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
There is only bus available on Jeju or you can ride a bike, which I don't recommend due to hill side location of JNU.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
University coordinator will guide you, but you will have to pay the Korean health insurance and apply for ''Alien registration card''.

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?):
It is mandatory to pay for Korean health insurance and it's pretty expensive - about 70 000 krw for a month = 1200 czk. But you have to get an international trvale insurance for the first month since it takes about a month before the Korean insurance arrives.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
Yes, I broke my toe. I had to pay around 250 000 krw for the procedure = 4000 czk, even though I had the insurance.

Did you work during your studies?:
No, since it's not allowed.

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
I don't think it's allowed.

Tips for free-time activities:
Jeju is best for hiking and surfing. Also you can do a lot of pretty café hopping if you are into that. There are also few little islands surrounding Jeju, so you can take a ferry on one of them.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
60000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
10000 CZK

Number of supported months:
6

Total number of months:
4,5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
I was saving money for it for about a year.

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?:
13200 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
3200 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
6000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
4000 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)?:
14

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
21

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

What problems did you have with recognition?:
Not a sigle one of them will be considered as a part of my studies, but rather a a volunatarily taken subjects.

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):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
My toe being broken and some financial issues.

What would you recommend to take with you:
Save as much money as possible. Bring clothes for every season - even though Jeju is considered a tropical island, there is snow and ice in the winter.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
The efficiency of everyone. The university festivals and other school related activities. The university location - surrounded by mountains and forests.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
The lack of contact with local students. Not a big selection of available courses. Pretty bad condition of the dorms and especially the lack of kitchen.

Further comments: