Outgoing Students
Stories from Abroad
2022, Oiuna Tsydypova
"Exchange studies gave me the opportunity to improve my English, study interesting courses and improve my personal qualities such as independence, responsibility and sociability...."
My personal success
To visit another country with a vibrant culture and meet people from different parts of the world was a new and useful experience for me. Exchange studies gave me the opportunity to improve my English, study interesting courses and improve my personal qualities such as independence, responsibility and sociability.
Difficulties on my way
There were difficulties with choosing an airline and a flight to enter the Republic of Korea, because there were restrictions on the types of visas accepted in the country. In the summer of 2021, students with a study visa could fly from Russia to South Korea only via Moscow by Aeroflot and Korean Air airlines.
Students should ask for information at the Consulate General, from the staff of the International Department and from students who have already participated in the academic mobility program.
Documents for my visa
Submission of documents to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk was carried out by appointment via e-mail 2 days a week.
I have prepared the following documents for a D-2-4 study visa:
1. Visa Application Form,
2. The original of the foreign passport,
3. A copy of the first page of the passport,
4. Certificate of enrollment,
5. A copy of the certificate of registration of a Korean educational institution,
6. The result of chest fluorography or a certificate of absence of tuberculosis,
7. Negative test result for COVID - 19 coronavirus infection by PCR,
8. Consent to isolation in quarantine facilities.
After submitting the documents, I received a receipt with information about the time of visa issuance. The visa was ready in 2 weeks.
Students should be well acquainted with the announcement of the work of the Consulate General, the rules for submitting documents and obtaining a visa, since even an incorrectly formed e-mail about an appointment can delay obtaining a visa for a week or more.
My arrival at host University
1. There was a limited number of seats for courses at the Ajou university, because the opportunity to take courses was provided after undergraduate students of this university had registered. Many exchange students couldn't take courses in their major.
Students should consider a similar situation with their university in advance.
2. In my case, I got my Alien Registration Card in November. This is an important document that confirms the identity of a foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Korea. Foreigners can make health insurance only after receiving this document. It is not safe to live for 2 months without health insurance in another country.
Students should find out information about the types of health insurance in another country that can be quickly issued.
My expenses
1. Visa fees – $80.
2. Flight Irkutsk-Moscow-Seoul – 64227 rubles.
3. Flight Seoul-Novosibirsk-Chita – 37162 rubles.
4. Quarantine and transfer 1,346,000 KRW ‒ at the time of payment approximately 85740 rubles.
5. Health insurance for 2 months approximately 80,000 KRW ‒ at the time of payment approximately 4960 rubles.
6. The cost of public transport is about 80-100 rubles.
7. Meals in the dining room 4,000 KRW – it is about 250 rubles, in the cafe about 10,000 - 15,000 KRW ‒ 600-1000 rubles.
My personal success
To visit another country with a vibrant culture and meet people from different parts of the world was a new and useful experience for me. Exchange studies gave me the opportunity to improve my English, study interesting courses and improve my personal qualities such as independence, responsibility and sociability.
Difficulties on my way
There were difficulties with choosing an airline and a flight to enter the Republic of Korea, because there were restrictions on the types of visas accepted in the country. In the summer of 2021, students with a study visa could fly from Russia to South Korea only via Moscow by Aeroflot and Korean Air airlines.
Students should ask for information at the Consulate General, from the staff of the International Department and from students who have already participated in the academic mobility program.
Documents for my visa
Submission of documents to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk was carried out by appointment via e-mail 2 days a week.
I have prepared the following documents for a D-2-4 study visa:
1. Visa Application Form,
2. The original of the foreign passport,
3. A copy of the first page of the passport,
4. Certificate of enrollment,
5. A copy of the certificate of registration of a Korean educational institution,
6. The result of chest fluorography or a certificate of absence of tuberculosis,
7. Negative test result for COVID - 19 coronavirus infection by PCR,
8. Consent to isolation in quarantine facilities.
After submitting the documents, I received a receipt with information about the time of visa issuance. The visa was ready in 2 weeks.
Students should be well acquainted with the announcement of the work of the Consulate General, the rules for submitting documents and obtaining a visa, since even an incorrectly formed e-mail about an appointment can delay obtaining a visa for a week or more.
My arrival at host University
1. There was a limited number of seats for courses at the Ajou university, because the opportunity to take courses was provided after undergraduate students of this university had registered. Many exchange students couldn't take courses in their major.
Students should consider a similar situation with their university in advance.
2. In my case, I got my Alien Registration Card in November. This is an important document that confirms the identity of a foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Korea. Foreigners can make health insurance only after receiving this document. It is not safe to live for 2 months without health insurance in another country.
Students should find out information about the types of health insurance in another country that can be quickly issued.
My expenses
1. Visa fees – $80.
2. Flight Irkutsk-Moscow-Seoul – 64227 rubles.
3. Flight Seoul-Novosibirsk-Chita – 37162 rubles.
4. Quarantine and transfer 1,346,000 KRW ‒ at the time of payment approximately 85740 rubles.
5. Health insurance for 2 months approximately 80,000 KRW ‒ at the time of payment approximately 4960 rubles.
6. The cost of public transport is about 80-100 rubles.
7. Meals in the dining room 4,000 KRW – it is about 250 rubles, in the cafe about 10,000 - 15,000 KRW ‒ 600-1000 rubles.
2022, Ariuna Ochirova
"Educational process, accommodation, local support - everything was amazing..."
Impressions
I did my internship at Sungkyunkwan University.
Educational process, accommodation, local support - everything was amazing.
Most of the professors are either practicing architects or have practiced it in the past.
They are professionals with a huge design experience in Korea, USA, China and the UAE.
The experience and knowledges I received not only fr om teachers, but also from my classmates from different countries, inspired me for further development in my professional field. Intensive immersion in a different language environment not only improved my level of English, but also helped to establish a base for further study of the Korean language.
Difficulties during preparations
In my experience the hardest part was getting to Korea due to the strict entry rules (because of COVID-19 situation).
For example, Aeroflot was allowed to take passengers with student visa with only two flights at August (from Vladivostok). There were also difficulties with registering for studying courses - graduates had to obtain written consent from professors when registering for each discipline, so it is best to initially choose as many disciplines as possible in order to have a fallback.
Visa
I received my visa on time, without any problems, since the Embassy of the Republic of Korea is located in Irkutsk. However, in the context of a pandemic this process is complicated by anticovid measures: advance registration at the embassy, PCR test, etc. Any information can be found at the website of the embassy.
Any obtacles upon arrival at the host University
Campus of the Faculty of Architecture located in Suwon (about 30 km from the Seoul campus). Anyway, I preferred to live at the Seoul campus. The journey from one campus to another takes about an hour by subway (in the most favorable scenario), there is also a transfer between campuses, but its schedule may not always coincide with yours. So, to save your time, it is better to choose a dormitory which is located at your faculty campus.
My expenses
Visa fee - 80 $
Flights - about 60,000 rubles
Dormitory - $ 1300 - for the entire period of study
Medical insurance - about 1600 rubles per month
Travel by public transport - a little more than $ 1, depending on the distance
My dorm had a superbly equipped kitchen, which helped me cut down on food costs. Also there are several canteens for students at campus, wh ere you can buy a comprehensive breakfast / lunch / dinner for about 200 rubles.
Impressions
I did my internship at Sungkyunkwan University.
Educational process, accommodation, local support - everything was amazing.
Most of the professors are either practicing architects or have practiced it in the past.
They are professionals with a huge design experience in Korea, USA, China and the UAE.
The experience and knowledges I received not only fr om teachers, but also from my classmates from different countries, inspired me for further development in my professional field. Intensive immersion in a different language environment not only improved my level of English, but also helped to establish a base for further study of the Korean language.
Difficulties during preparations
In my experience the hardest part was getting to Korea due to the strict entry rules (because of COVID-19 situation).
For example, Aeroflot was allowed to take passengers with student visa with only two flights at August (from Vladivostok). There were also difficulties with registering for studying courses - graduates had to obtain written consent from professors when registering for each discipline, so it is best to initially choose as many disciplines as possible in order to have a fallback.
Visa
I received my visa on time, without any problems, since the Embassy of the Republic of Korea is located in Irkutsk. However, in the context of a pandemic this process is complicated by anticovid measures: advance registration at the embassy, PCR test, etc. Any information can be found at the website of the embassy.
Any obtacles upon arrival at the host University
Campus of the Faculty of Architecture located in Suwon (about 30 km from the Seoul campus). Anyway, I preferred to live at the Seoul campus. The journey from one campus to another takes about an hour by subway (in the most favorable scenario), there is also a transfer between campuses, but its schedule may not always coincide with yours. So, to save your time, it is better to choose a dormitory which is located at your faculty campus.
My expenses
Visa fee - 80 $
Flights - about 60,000 rubles
Dormitory - $ 1300 - for the entire period of study
Medical insurance - about 1600 rubles per month
Travel by public transport - a little more than $ 1, depending on the distance
My dorm had a superbly equipped kitchen, which helped me cut down on food costs. Also there are several canteens for students at campus, wh ere you can buy a comprehensive breakfast / lunch / dinner for about 200 rubles.
2021, Khudayberdi Mamatov
...during my studies I managed to learn a lot of new things and get to know different people, learn a new language and, of course, get acquainted with the culture of local people...
Exchange Program Experience
I came to the Wroclaw University of Technology and Science in order to study and receive a diploma of foreign and Russian standards, during my studies I managed to learn a lot of new things and get to know different people, learn a new language and, of course, get acquainted with the culture of local people.
In general, study took place in a distance format due to Covid-19. Each lecture and seminar was accompanied by colorful presentations and discussion of the material covered.
At the stages of preparation for participation in this program, I had problems with collecting the necessary documents for the host university. I would recommend future participants to approach this stage with all care and caution. The application process and preparation of documents takes a long time, so you need to start early.
Since I am a citizen of another country, so I had to collect quite a few documents to apply for a student visa. I had several meetings with the ambassador, so I advise the participants to take this stage very seriously, the list of necessary documents can be found on the website of the Polish consulate.
I had problems traveling to the host country due to the pandemic, at that time many countries were closed and the cost of the flight was greatly influenced by the restrictive measures associated with the pandemic. I would advise future participants to book their tickets in advance and travel together.
It cost me 9,000 rubles to get a visa, insurance for a year - 18,000 rubles. The one-way flight cost about 25,000 rubles.
It was necessary to get to the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology with transfers through a third country.
Expenses
In Poland, I took out additional insurance (this is mandatory), costing about 1,150 rubles per month. A 50% discount applies to student travel in Poland.
The student card also entitles you to discounts in museums, some cafes.
Living in a hostel cost 14,000 rubles a month.
Exchange Program Experience
I came to the Wroclaw University of Technology and Science in order to study and receive a diploma of foreign and Russian standards, during my studies I managed to learn a lot of new things and get to know different people, learn a new language and, of course, get acquainted with the culture of local people.
In general, study took place in a distance format due to Covid-19. Each lecture and seminar was accompanied by colorful presentations and discussion of the material covered.
At the stages of preparation for participation in this program, I had problems with collecting the necessary documents for the host university. I would recommend future participants to approach this stage with all care and caution. The application process and preparation of documents takes a long time, so you need to start early.
Since I am a citizen of another country, so I had to collect quite a few documents to apply for a student visa. I had several meetings with the ambassador, so I advise the participants to take this stage very seriously, the list of necessary documents can be found on the website of the Polish consulate.
I had problems traveling to the host country due to the pandemic, at that time many countries were closed and the cost of the flight was greatly influenced by the restrictive measures associated with the pandemic. I would advise future participants to book their tickets in advance and travel together.
It cost me 9,000 rubles to get a visa, insurance for a year - 18,000 rubles. The one-way flight cost about 25,000 rubles.
It was necessary to get to the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology with transfers through a third country.
Expenses
In Poland, I took out additional insurance (this is mandatory), costing about 1,150 rubles per month. A 50% discount applies to student travel in Poland.
The student card also entitles you to discounts in museums, some cafes.
Living in a hostel cost 14,000 rubles a month.
2021, Adelina Gamaiunova
Studying on exchange in Korea is one of the best experiences of my life...
Studying on exchange in Korea is one of the best experiences of my life. It is an opportunity to realize myself, develop new healthy habits and experience a different culture. During six months spent at INHA University I was able to improve my teamwork skills, demonstrate leadership qualities and determine my future direction in programming. Through project-based learning I gained experience in creating programs and presenting them to my classmates and professors. Thanks to the work in the group I learned how to build relationships with people properly, consider the culture and values of people, as in Korea I interacted with people from different countries.
Tips and tricks for future participants in the academic mobility program
At the stage of preparation, there were difficulties related exclusively to the epidemiological situation in the country. For example, in the embassy in order to get a visa it was required to get a PCR-test, respectively, the waiting time for a visa increased, also there were difficulties with the departure from Russia, as the flight to Korea could only fly from Moscow and I had to adjust my plans. My advice to all participants of the academic mobility program: be patient and do not give up on any of the obstacles you face, and carefully read all the conditions that are specified for obtaining a visa or for leaving the country.
Visa process
The website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk has a list with all the necessary documents that you need to prepare in order to obtain a visa. You collect them, fill out two questionnaires, which can also be downloaded from the embassy website, and you will need to take a photo, which is worth taking care of in advance, so as not to run out on the last day.
Difficulties at a host foreign organization
I was hosted by INHA University and the first difficulty I had was to find a place to stay for a 2-week quarantine, because my university's dormitory does not provide this option. My advice is to look for an apartment on airbnb or ask the host university for help in finding a place to pass quarantine, they can advise you something nearby.
Also, if you're going to live in a dorm, be prepared that there will be no bedding and you will have to buy it, there are no pillows or blankets or anything. I advise you to prepare in advance and bring your own bedding to at least somewhat reduce the cost.
Expenses related to participation in a foreign internship. Tips for reducing costs.
As for costs, $80 for a visa, I personally spent 100 thousand rubles to fly in two directions because of the situation in the country.
For quarantine measures (tests, accommodation in quarantine, food) would be about 67 thousand rubles.
Paying for the dormitory 1000 dollars / 74 thousand rubles.
Payment for insurance, textbooks and registration approximately 9 thousand rubles.
Monthly expenses of approximately 40 thousand rubles, this money will cover the basic necessities and entertainment.
If you want to go on vacation in Korea, for example, a trip to Busan for 4 days will cost $ 400 / 30 thousand rubles.
Of course, almost all of these costs can be reduced, for example, to eat more in Korean cuisine, as the price is much lower when compared with European cuisine, at the same time you'll get acquainted with Korean culture. I advise you to save on transportation, because it costs a lot of money. If you want to travel around Korea, sometimes it is better to choose a bus or a plane.
For example, if you choose to travel by train to Busan, it costs 60 dollars one way, by comparison it costs 10 dollars by plane.
Bottom line, I want to advise you to apply for a scholarship because it will cover your flight and accommodation. Also, sharing the cost of living on vacation with your friends is a huge money saver. And lastly, I suggest you download the Klook app, it will help you save money on all kinds of entertainment.
Studying on exchange in Korea is one of the best experiences of my life. It is an opportunity to realize myself, develop new healthy habits and experience a different culture. During six months spent at INHA University I was able to improve my teamwork skills, demonstrate leadership qualities and determine my future direction in programming. Through project-based learning I gained experience in creating programs and presenting them to my classmates and professors. Thanks to the work in the group I learned how to build relationships with people properly, consider the culture and values of people, as in Korea I interacted with people from different countries.
Tips and tricks for future participants in the academic mobility program
At the stage of preparation, there were difficulties related exclusively to the epidemiological situation in the country. For example, in the embassy in order to get a visa it was required to get a PCR-test, respectively, the waiting time for a visa increased, also there were difficulties with the departure from Russia, as the flight to Korea could only fly from Moscow and I had to adjust my plans. My advice to all participants of the academic mobility program: be patient and do not give up on any of the obstacles you face, and carefully read all the conditions that are specified for obtaining a visa or for leaving the country.
Visa process
The website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Irkutsk has a list with all the necessary documents that you need to prepare in order to obtain a visa. You collect them, fill out two questionnaires, which can also be downloaded from the embassy website, and you will need to take a photo, which is worth taking care of in advance, so as not to run out on the last day.
Difficulties at a host foreign organization
I was hosted by INHA University and the first difficulty I had was to find a place to stay for a 2-week quarantine, because my university's dormitory does not provide this option. My advice is to look for an apartment on airbnb or ask the host university for help in finding a place to pass quarantine, they can advise you something nearby.
Also, if you're going to live in a dorm, be prepared that there will be no bedding and you will have to buy it, there are no pillows or blankets or anything. I advise you to prepare in advance and bring your own bedding to at least somewhat reduce the cost.
Expenses related to participation in a foreign internship. Tips for reducing costs.
As for costs, $80 for a visa, I personally spent 100 thousand rubles to fly in two directions because of the situation in the country.
For quarantine measures (tests, accommodation in quarantine, food) would be about 67 thousand rubles.
Paying for the dormitory 1000 dollars / 74 thousand rubles.
Payment for insurance, textbooks and registration approximately 9 thousand rubles.
Monthly expenses of approximately 40 thousand rubles, this money will cover the basic necessities and entertainment.
If you want to go on vacation in Korea, for example, a trip to Busan for 4 days will cost $ 400 / 30 thousand rubles.
Of course, almost all of these costs can be reduced, for example, to eat more in Korean cuisine, as the price is much lower when compared with European cuisine, at the same time you'll get acquainted with Korean culture. I advise you to save on transportation, because it costs a lot of money. If you want to travel around Korea, sometimes it is better to choose a bus or a plane.
For example, if you choose to travel by train to Busan, it costs 60 dollars one way, by comparison it costs 10 dollars by plane.
Bottom line, I want to advise you to apply for a scholarship because it will cover your flight and accommodation. Also, sharing the cost of living on vacation with your friends is a huge money saver. And lastly, I suggest you download the Klook app, it will help you save money on all kinds of entertainment.
2021, Anna Belykh
One semester in the Republic of Korea turned my life upside down...
...One semester in the Republic of Korea turned my life upside down. I met many students from other countries and cultures, as well as professors with different views. Sometimes you don’t even know how different people’s views on ordinary things can be!
During this time, I studied interesting topics related to my professional field, improved my conversational technical English and learned the basics of the Korean language. Knowing the basics of Korean allowed me to communicate on everyday topics with many local people.
Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, new acquaintances and knowledge, a storm of emotions, and self-awareness.
The main difficulties in the preparation process arose due to the situation with COVID-19. You should prepare a set of documents in advance, especially medical ones, and find out the latest information about flights to the host country.
Visa processing took 2 week. It should be considered that the process may take longer. To obtain a visa, you need documents, the set of which is regularly updated on the consulate's website. The consular fee is $ 80.
The main disadvantage was the mandatory two-week quarantine. Other than that, all issues were quickly and easily resolved thanks to other students and university staff.
All processes and frequently occurring problems were explained to us on the Orientation before the start of classes. In addition, Korean students (buddy and tutors) always gave advice on the questions and regularly informed us about various events.
Visa: $ 80 (~ ₽6,000)
Round trip tickets: ~ ₽80,000
Quarantine: ₩ 1,400,000 (~ ₽88,000)
Contribution for ARC: ₩ 30,000 (~ ₽1,900)
Health insurance: ₩ 40,000 (~ ₽2,500) per month
Dormitory: several dorms were offered with different prices
from ₩ 656,000 (~ ₽40,000) to ₩ 1,264,000 (~ ₽80,000) per semester
SIM card: up to ₩ 80,000 (~ ₽5,000) for 4 months
One public transport passage:
Metro: ₩ 1 250 (~ ₽80)
Bus: ₩ 1 250 - ₩ 3 000 (~ ₽80 - ₽190)
Lunch at the campus canteen: ₩ 4,000 (~ ₽250) - ₩ 20,000 (~ ₽1,300)
There is a big discount when buying a SIM card in a group. In cafes outside the campus, it is more profitable to go with a company. Buying food (for self-preparation, fruits or vegetables) is better in the market.
...One semester in the Republic of Korea turned my life upside down. I met many students from other countries and cultures, as well as professors with different views. Sometimes you don’t even know how different people’s views on ordinary things can be!
During this time, I studied interesting topics related to my professional field, improved my conversational technical English and learned the basics of the Korean language. Knowing the basics of Korean allowed me to communicate on everyday topics with many local people.
Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, new acquaintances and knowledge, a storm of emotions, and self-awareness.
The main difficulties in the preparation process arose due to the situation with COVID-19. You should prepare a set of documents in advance, especially medical ones, and find out the latest information about flights to the host country.
Visa processing took 2 week. It should be considered that the process may take longer. To obtain a visa, you need documents, the set of which is regularly updated on the consulate's website. The consular fee is $ 80.
The main disadvantage was the mandatory two-week quarantine. Other than that, all issues were quickly and easily resolved thanks to other students and university staff.
All processes and frequently occurring problems were explained to us on the Orientation before the start of classes. In addition, Korean students (buddy and tutors) always gave advice on the questions and regularly informed us about various events.
Visa: $ 80 (~ ₽6,000)
Round trip tickets: ~ ₽80,000
Quarantine: ₩ 1,400,000 (~ ₽88,000)
Contribution for ARC: ₩ 30,000 (~ ₽1,900)
Health insurance: ₩ 40,000 (~ ₽2,500) per month
Dormitory: several dorms were offered with different prices
from ₩ 656,000 (~ ₽40,000) to ₩ 1,264,000 (~ ₽80,000) per semester
SIM card: up to ₩ 80,000 (~ ₽5,000) for 4 months
One public transport passage:
Metro: ₩ 1 250 (~ ₽80)
Bus: ₩ 1 250 - ₩ 3 000 (~ ₽80 - ₽190)
Lunch at the campus canteen: ₩ 4,000 (~ ₽250) - ₩ 20,000 (~ ₽1,300)
There is a big discount when buying a SIM card in a group. In cafes outside the campus, it is more profitable to go with a company. Buying food (for self-preparation, fruits or vegetables) is better in the market.
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