Taking a Gap Year to Study in San Diego: My Dream Came True!

When deciding on a language school, one of the key factors prospective students consider is feedback from those who have already studied there. Today, I’d like to share the personal experience of Hannah, a student from Korea, who spent a month studying at CEL in San Diego.

Tell us more about you

Hello! My name is Hannah, and I’m a student from Korea. I recently completed my sophomore year of college and decided to take a gap year to invest in personal development. During this time, I chose to participate in an English language program in the U.S.

Why Did you Choose CEL for your Language Learning Experience?

A close friend of mine had studied English in the Philippines for a month and shared with me how enriching the experience was. From a young age, I always had a desire to improve my English and explore the world beyond Korea. Another motivating factor was my aunt, who lives in the U.S., which further inspired me to go there for language studies.

When I decided to take a gap year, I knew this would be the perfect time to study abroad. Since I already hold U.S. citizenship, I realized I could attend school there without needing a visa, making it much easier for me to go. While researching language schools in the U.S., I found that most were located on the East and West Coasts. I felt San Diego would be the best fit for me.

Among the many language schools in San Diego, CEL stood out for several reasons. Their website was user-friendly, transparent about costs, and offered many flexible options. Most importantly, the site was well-translated into Korean—not in the awkward, robotic way we often see with online translations, but in a way that was easy to understand. I could clearly see the variety of housing options at a glance, which made the decision process very convenient for me. This is one of the main reasons I chose CEL.

How Were the Classes at CEL?

I was placed in the Advanced B class, the highest level available. Overall, I was very satisfied with the structure of the courses. My main teacher, Ms. Lee, was extremely organized. She kept the class schedule consistent, and whenever I had questions, she provided clear and detailed explanations. She not only told me when something was incorrect but explained why it was wrong in a way that made sense.

I’ve always struggled with grammar, but Ms. Lee really helped me improve. The lessons flowed smoothly, with no interruptions. We had a structured plan for each session, similar to how English language schools in Korea operate. However, what made CEL different was the greater emphasis on practicing English speaking skills. I had previously tried phone-based English tutoring, but it didn’t help me make dramatic progress. The improvement I saw at CEL, especially in speaking, was gradual but steady, and I felt my skills growing every day.

Did You Make Friends with International Students?

Yes, I did! Most of my interactions were with students from Europe, Japan and the Middle East. After class, we’d often explore San Diego together. As my time at CEL drew to a close, I realized I hadn’t spent as much time with certain classmates as I would’ve liked, so I’ve been making an extra effort to connect with them during my final days.

One of the highlights of my time in San Diego was hanging out with Japanese friends who were huge fans of Top Gun. We visited the USS Midway Museum, ate at the Top Gun bar, and explored Little Italy and Fashion Valley together. Last Monday, I even went surfing with some friends who were very skilled at it. The warm weather made it an enjoyable experience.

The best part of making international friends at CEL was that we all had a shared goal — improving our English. The frequent presentations and discussions in class made it easy to bond with classmates, and our conversations during breaks allowed us to get to know each other naturally.

What Was Life in the U.S. Like?

One of the biggest differences I noticed in the U.S. was the daily schedule. Americans start their mornings much earlier than I was used to. Back home, I wouldn’t have been awake for morning classes, but here, I found that starting the day early helped me make the most of it.

One downside was that the day also ended earlier than in Korea. In Korea, I would often take late-night walks with my family, but in San Diego, the streets are dimly lit, making it a bit tricky to go for a walk after dark.

I also cooked a lot while living in an Airbnb with my family. My favorite grocery store was Trader Joe’s because they had a surprising number of Korean foods like LA galbi, pajeon (Korean pancakes), and dumplings. Cooking at home helped me save money and maintain a sense of familiarity.

As for places I’d recommend in San Diego, definitely visit La Jolla Cove to see the seals and the adorable ground squirrels. Kate Sessions Memorial Park, which was recommended by a Japanese friend, is also great for spotting moles, which I had never seen so many of before. Yesterday, I visited the San Diego Zoo for the first time, and it was amazing. There were so many animals to see, and I especially loved the rhinoceroses!

What Are Your Future Plans?

I originally planned to travel with my parents from February to April, so after my studies, we’ll continue our travels in the U.S. We’ll drive to Las Vegas, return the car in Los Angeles, and then fly to New York. After that, we plan to visit Europe before heading back to Korea.

When I return home, I’ll need to take some time to think about my next steps. I took this gap year for personal growth, but I also realize I need to focus more on my major, industrial engineering, moving forward.

Any advice for someone considering studying abroad?

One piece of advice I’d give is not to be intimidated by people who look different from you. For instance, my friends from the Middle East were some of the kindest people I met. Don’t let age differences make you uncomfortable either. I initially hesitated to talk to people who were older or younger than me, but I realized it doesn’t matter. Everyone here is friendly and welcoming.

Lastly, if you’re considering studying abroad in the U.S., I highly recommend CEL! The location is perfect, the classes are excellent, and the facilities are new and modern. I would especially recommend CEL for those who want a balanced experience—improving English while also enjoying life in the U.S. However, if your sole focus is getting a high TOEIC score, it might not be the right fit. But if you want to improve your English and make lifelong friends, CEL is a great choice!

Conclusion

Thank you, Junga, for sharing your story! We wish you a fun and safe journey during the rest of your travels in the U.S.