skudy.net

Skudy

Why choose Skudy?

Bridging Korea to students from all over the world

Website
skudy.net

Reviews

Default avatar
Rowan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Seoul Sparks is the best!

I was worried initially when I first joined the program as it was new and my first time studying abroad. However, when I got to Korea and met Sarah and the other participants, my worries melted away! Not only is the program fully accommodating to various things (diets, disabilities, etc), the activities are also catered towards you and your interests! Sarah is also absolutely amazing, super attentive, and knowledgeable on Korean and study abroad programs. I recommend SPARKs to anyone interested in learning Korean :)

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Focus on your studies!! It is a very intensive program at SNU, so if you choose to ignore your studies it is very easy to fall behind. However, teachers are also wonderful in helping and mentors are great study-busdies!
Pros
  • Weekly check-ins and talks about time in Korea!
  • Absolutely wonderful and kind staff!
Cons
  • Packed schedule can feel tiring
  • Korea is hot and humid in the summer 😢
Default avatar
Vanshika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Immersive and fun program, best study abroad experience!

The SPARKS program had a very interesting premise that I didn't see in other programs, such as the emphasis on history and Korean identity. I felt like the immersion in a period of history each week allowed us to actually understand how Korea developed into the Hallyu.

There was also so much interaction with real experiences, such as when I was able to communicate with others with translation help from Sarah and the other mentors.

In addition, experiencing the activities we did such as going to palaces, Namsan tower, and even the DMZ became easier with the accommodations provided. For example, I have a physical disability yet found the staff incredibly helpful to provide me with not only the posterior walker I normally use, but a wheelchair in case I felt too tired to walk.

Overall, SPARKS definitely made me realize I enjoy study abroad immensely, and I hope to come back to Korea (with improved Korean)!

Pros
  • Educational
  • Passionate
  • Inspiring
Cons
  • Under-staffed
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun!

One kind of problem that SPARKS staff helped me solve was getting around without the use of a Korean phone number. Since in Korea, your phone number is essentially a form of identification, a lot of thing require phone numbers that aren't the temporary ones we received. For example, some of the other students and I wanted to go to a gym but we needed phone numbers for it and luckily, Sarah helped us coordinate and talk with the gym manager making the process much easier. Furthermore, the data and temporary phone numbers that we received initially were such a lifesaver and having someone to help us with any tech problems made my stay so much better.

On another note, I especially liked the individual activities, and I truly appreciated Sarah's efforts to find good matches to what we requested (ranging from sign language classes to fashion and much more).

I liked how I could experience Korea in ways that I would've never if I was just an average tourist, such as going all the way to Gwangju in a bus, doing a scavenger hunt across Yongsan, and meeting so many great people that just happened to be Sarah's friends.

I also liked movie nights with the fried chicken (it was so yummy), as I felt that I learned so much about history through such an exciting way while also getting introduced to these movies I wouldn't usually watched but have now become some of my favorites.

Lastly, I really liked the program staff, especially Sarah and the mentors. I think they were some of the nicest people I've ever met and Sarah is really funny with a lot of great stories. I liked how when Sarah was a teenager, she also had a very similar experience with travelling to Korea alone, meaning that she knows all the ups and downs and is very understanding.

What would you improve about this program?
Sometimes I felt like my schedule was too packed at the beginning of the program as I felt that we were going to classes all morning and then some activity in the afternoon and I rarely had time to myself. Though over the weeks, this mellowed out and I accomplished everything I wanted to do in Korea.
Pros
  • The Gwangu trip, the scavenger hunt were really fun
  • Movie nights with Korean fried chicken!
  • The staff, especially Sarah and the mentors
Cons
  • I wish we could've had longer field trips because those were definitely a highlight for me.
Default avatar
Miranda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Choosing SPARKS was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

When I was looking for a study abroad program for this past summer, I couldn’t find one that looked reliable and also had the focus on language and culture that I wanted. Then I found SPARKS! I loved that it was created by someone who had prior experience working with study abroad programs, and I was also interested in the schedule which had an even balance of studying Korean, learning about history, taking trips, and time for fun.

Many other programs involved a host family stay, and as someone coming to Korea for the first time, that was something I was a bit nervous about. SPARKS stood out to me because of its apartment-style living arrangement, which was something I really enjoyed while on program.

Throughout the summer, SPARKS staff were able to answer any questions I had, and helped me acclimate to life in another country, whether in the form of tech assistance, directions, or language help. I think that future applicants and parents should know that while SPARKS has a structured schedule, the free time we have gives us an amazing opportunity to explore the city and what it has to offer, and there will never be a dull moment during the program. Outside of our classes and activities, I saw an impromptu opera performance by a vocal group, sat next to a celebrity on the subway, went to many cafes and museums, and took more photo booth pictures than I can count.

Choosing SPARKS was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and it’s helped me to grow so much as a person and solidified my decision to study abroad again and continue learning Korean throughout college. The people I met, the places I went, and the memories I made during this program are all things that I will never forget and will always cherish.

Pros
  • Creating friendships
  • Fostering independence
  • Engaging learning experiences
Cons
  • Hot weather
  • Packed schedule (but still fun!)
  • Only 6 weeks long...
Default avatar
Elia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Simply amazing!

This summer with Seoul Sparks was one of my favorite summers ever! It was the perfect balance of classroom studying and outside activities. The mentors were such sweethearts and really a key part in bringing us all together.

My personalized activity was also perfectly picked out and was a perfect setting for me to practice Korean with people who didn't speak English. My grandparents, my mom and my Korean teacher at home all commented on how much my Korean had improved over such a short period of time!!

Pros
  • Class is fast but super fun
  • So many opportunities to practice Korean outside a classroom setting
Cons
  • Not enough time 😢

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