Skudy

Program Reviews

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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 😢
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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
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Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun!

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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.
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Miranda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

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

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

The SPARKS program truly takes things to the next level!

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Pros
  • Program staff is accessible and easy to contact
  • Cultural immersion and lifelong connections (strong SPARKS community bond!)
  • Opportunity to practice with Korean with university student language partners!
Cons
  • You'll have TOO good of a time and won't want to leave
  • Not exactly a con, but time differences can make staying in contact with your friends and family tricky, which is something to keep in mind if it's your first time going abroad!
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Leila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Seoul SPARKS: The Program of a Life Time

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What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Through the freedom to explore offered at Seoul SPARKS, I was able to meet a Korean singer by befriending stylists who owned a store I randomly visited! The stylists introduced me to him and when he toured in America I got free concert tickets and had him and his friends over for dinner at my house with my family which was a pretty crazy experience!
Pros
  • You will be with a cohort of amazing and kind people from all over the globe who are just as curious as you.
  • On top of Korean language, you will also be well versed in Korean history via guest speakers, movies, and field trips.
  • You will have very kind and hardworking teachers who also give you a fair share of independence.
Cons
  • In my year, the rooms were pretty small for 4 people.
  • There is a demanding schedule with days packed with class in the morning and an activity in the afternoon.
  • Classes are 4 hours which can feel very long, you do have 3 breaks in between however: two 10 minute breaks and one 30 minute break.
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Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience for My Daughter - Seoul Sparks Program

My daughter had an amazing experience at Seoul Sparks. We spent a lot of time looking for the right program in Korea and finally landed on Sparks. It was the right balance of great academics (language classes at Seoul National University), age-appropriate supervision (reasonable curfew), and accommodations we felt comfortable with (dorm setting with other students).
Most importantly, Sparks is run by Sarah who is passionate about Korean culture and language. Sparks isn't just a job for Sarah, it is something she cares deeply about and that care is evident in everything that she does. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in having their child have an immersive Korean experience. I wish I could attend!!!

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Stephanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My daughter had the time of her life

Here's what says it all.... Before my daughter even boarded the flight home from Seoul, she was already asking to go back and study for another year! The program was rigorous and productive, but she focused more on the joy of the cultural immersion and learning. I can't recommend it enough.
In addition to classes at South Korea's premier university (SNU) the students traveled, visited the DMZ, dressed in traditional hanboks, studied about South Koreas fraught history of occupation, ate wonderful food, and and more. (This is unique and special) had the chance to live independently in their own apartments.)

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Abigale
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Literally Amazing

This program is a great way to get immersed into a culture and language. Through this program I learned so much about korean history and culture that I would have otherwise not had the opportunity to learn. Furthermore, the experiences were a lot of fun as we got to travel to different parts of korea. I enjoyed meeting new people and learning the language. The housing was very comfortable and I was able to share any concerns with my director when I needed to. Overall I would recommend this program to anyone who genuinely is excited to learn about South Korea.

What was your funniest moment?
My favorite moment was going to gwangju. I genuinely enjoyed exploring the town and experiencing older korea.
Pros
  • Fun
  • Immersion
  • Intensive
Cons
  • Busy