Semester in Seoul
Kyung Hee University
Soak up all that stimulating Seoul has to offer
Spend a stimulating semester in Seoul, South Korea! Seoul boasts rich history, demonstrated by its five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its tasteful approach to modernity and technology has earned it a reputation as Asia’s most livable city and a top global ranking for quality of life. This program places you at Kyung Hee University, a local university with a global orientation. You’ll be based in Dongdaemun, Korea’s largest commercial center, providing easy access to all your shopping and entertainment desires.
What to Expect:
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Language: English
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Average Courseload: 4-5 classes (12-15 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 3.0 (Sophomore or higher)
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- On-Campus housing offers rooftop terrace access
- Campus contains three museums, including the Natural History Museum
- Easy access to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in and around Seoul
- Centrally located campus in the Dongdaemun neighborhood of Seoul, full of local open-air markets
- Seoul is consistently top ranked for livability and quality of life
Program Details
Kyung Hee University
With three museums (a Natural History Museum, Cultural History and Antiquities Museum, and a map museum) Kyung Hee University is steeped in history – and the academic study of it. The Central Library boasts an archives room featuring materials published in North Korea and by the pro-North Korean residents’ league in Japan. It’s the perfect location to study up on the political history of one of the most contentious borders in world history.
Kyung Hee University’s values are best articulated through a description of their mascot, the Laughing Lion, and their mark, the Magnolia. To them, the Laughing Lion “embodies the human capacity for both inner ferocity and magnanimity, and the ability to overcome the self to show consideration for others.” The Magnolia, a well-known cultural symbol in South Korea due to the South Korean song “Magnolia Blossom,” symbolizes the university’s resilience, beauty, generosity, and unity.
After class, students can take in the natural beauty of the “campus within a park,” gaze up at the Neoclassical and gothic buildings that feel like they’ve been borrowed from the District of Columbia, and sample foods from the on-campus eateries (featuring Korean food, hamburgers, and a bakery). To meet other students, join the cheering squad or the International Friends and Culture Club.
Areas of study with at least 2 classes available
- Art & Design
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Natural & Applied Sciences
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Business
- Communications
- Humanities
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Semester in Seoul students are able to choose from any many courses at our partner school, Kyung Hee University’s Seoul Campus, as long as they meet the prerequisites.
NOTE: You can use the courses from previous terms as a good indication of what to expect for your semester, as they don’t typically vary too much. Here you can see the Spring 2021 and Fall 2022 lists for reference.
CIS Abroad students will be able to choose courses from the following colleges within the University:
College of Humanities
College of Politics and Economics
School of Management
College of Hotel and Tourism Management
College of Sciences
College of Human Ecology
For a list of Schools & Colleges with links to their academic offerings click here.
To search for specific courses, first go to Kyung Hee’s Course Schedule Index.
Step 1) Select English to switch the page’s language if it automatically displays in Korean.
Step 2) On the left hand menu bar click on the “Course Schedule Index” tab. You should not need to log in to be able to use this search function.
Step 3) Search for courses! Make sure to search only within the colleges listed above. Choose a “College” and then a “Major” for all course results.
Pro tip: When choosing a semester to filter by, remember that “Semester 1” begins during what is normally referred to in the US as the “Spring Term” and “Semester 2” refers to what is normally called the “Fall Term” in the US. When you have found a course, scroll to the end of the table and click on the blue document icon under the “syllabus” column to view its course syllabus.
The final course schedule is available 3-4 weeks before the term begins. Your Program Enrollment Coordinator will share with you as soon as it has been released and we’ll walk you through the pre-registration process 3-4 weeks prior to departure. You can register for up to 18 course credits initially to secure yourself a spot and will have the chance to drop/add during your first two weeks of the program.
When reviewing the course list, we recommend you choose at least double the amount of courses for approval than you intend to take abroad in case the courses are not offered or if there is a time conflict. For instance, if you are planning on enrolling in four courses at Kyung Hee University, we recommend getting at least eight courses pre-approved.
Note: Kyung Hee University’s school year follows the calendar year and begins in Spring and ends with the conclusion of the Fall term. This means that you may see “Semester 1” referring to the term that starts in March (our US Spring term) and “Semester 2” referring to the term that starts in September (our US Fall term).
**Please note that certain courses are not available to study abroad students, such as those from the Colleges of Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing. Course registration can also be extremely competitive, so please be sure to register promptly and make sure you have approved several programs to transfer back as credit in case your top picks fill quickly.
Any US university standards surrounding credits should be taken into consideration when selecting your number of courses. Courses are generally 2 to 3 credits depending on the structure of the course and a 3 credit course will have a total of 45 hours of in-class sessions. Courses are held Monday through Friday.
![_Brie Bates_South Korea_[Korean BBQ! Pic taken by Brie]](https://www.cisabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Brie-Bates_South-Korea_Korean-BBQ-Pic-taken-by-Brie.jpg)
Why Life in Seoul
South Korea has everything: the longest subway system in the world, one of the most efficient writing systems, large and abundant forests, AND the world’s fastest internet connections (Take that, Netflix lag!). Seoul is a “dynamic city” that, according to Lonely Planet, “mashes up palaces, temples, cutting-edge design and mountain trails, all to a nonstop K-Pop beat.”
Still have stars in your eyes from the 2018 Olympics opening ceremony? You’re in luck! Just a 2-hour train ride from Pyeongchang, Seoul is the 9th most visited city in the world and the 4th largest earner in tourism. The metropolitan area around Seoul contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine, Namhansanseong and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
Live The Local Life
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Outdoor Parks
Walk over the pedestrian-only bridge on your way to Seonyudo Park, an island on the Hangang River that was formerly an industrial water treatment plant, but is now home to the Hangang History Museum and Botanical Gardens.
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Cooking Class
Food is a huge staple in Korean culture - everything revolves around it. Learn to cook and then eat like a local.
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Local Cultural Festivals
No shortage of celebration here! Seoul boasts the Lotus Lantern Festival, the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, and the Seoul Kimchi Making & Sharing Festival, among many more.
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Learn to write Hangul
Hangul is the official written language of both South and North Korea, and is touted as the simplest language systems in the world. If you already don’t know it, see how quickly you can pick it up!
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Visual & Performance Art
Take a selfie in the wildly colorful Ihwa Mural Village, a revitalized artist neighborhood adorned with murals and filled with galleries, cafes. After, check out these gems within walking distance: Lock Museum, Ihwa-dong Village Museum, and Blacksmith Museum.
Housing in Seoul
Location
Students will be housed in double rooms in on-campus residence halls. Each room is furnished with a bed, closet, bookshelf, desk, telephone and internet access. The residence hall has study rooms, a lounge, a rooftop lounge, gym, ping pong room, and small shop.
Meals
This housing doesn’t come with a meal plan, but there is a convenience store and cafeteria in the dorm with really affordable dining options. Students can also eat elsewhere on campus (or off-campus) at other cafeterias or restaurants. Kyung Hee has such a big campus that there are tons of options!
Inclusions and Amenities
- 24-hour security
- Air conditioning
- BathroomEnsuite
- Bed linens
- WalkingCommute
- Desk
- Double Room
- Fitness Center
- LaundryOn-site
- Study Areas
- Wi-Fi
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Academic advising
- Medical and accident insurance
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Pre-departure orientation
- Airport pickup
- CIS Abroad on-site orientation
- On-site support
- The Local Life cultural program
- Kyung Hee University official transcript
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival, you’ll take part in both the university and CIS Abroad orientation program. You’ll learn the “dos and don’ts” of living in Seoul, South Korea. We’ll tell you about some of Seoul’s top spots for culture, history, food, and fun. We’ll also enjoy welcome meal, something traditional and yummy, as Korean cuisine is known to be one of the best in the world!
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. Your Site Director will walk you through some of the things to expect and reflect on your experiences abroad so that you can remember the highlights. We’ll reflect over one last delicious Korean meal before heading our separate ways.
Program Excursions
Seoul city tour
Day tourSeoul has the old & new, tradition & modernity, history & contemporary. Look down the feature of megacity having 10 million population, Seoul at Seoul Tower. Have a concept of Gangnam (South of Han River) and Gangbuk (North of Han River) by looking through the city riding on the chartered bus. You will rapidly soak into the city, seeing a lot of vivid places where people live.
K-pop dance lesson
Did you know that K-pop is the third-largest export in Korea? You will enjoy the dance moves with English speaking instructor. Any K-pop songs and motions in mind? Just let the site director know it, and you will get it as your motion. This is one of the fun experiences you must do in South Korea!
Hanbok wearing experience
Experience wearing Hanbok and walking through Gyeongbokgung palace like a prince & princess or a nobleman in Josun dynasty. You will try very authentic traditional Hanbok costumes with matchable hair make-up.
Site Director
Travel Tip:
Walk as much as you can! If you find a neighborhood you like, set out on foot and get lost down some side streets. Who knows what you could find – cute cafes, hidden restaurants, or local hotspots you would have never been able to find otherwise!
Travel Tip:
Walk as much as you can! If you find a neighborhood you like, set out on foot and get lost down some side streets. Who knows what you could find – cute cafes, hidden restaurants, or local hotspots you would have never been able to find otherwise!
About:
I graduated from Florida State University with dual degrees in International Affairs and Chinese Language and Culture. After graduation, I received a Fulbright teaching grant to South Korea where I lived in Sejong City for about 2 years before moving to Seoul. I have taught students of all ages from elementary to college and worked with international students coming to the US and US students coming to Seoul! Currently, I am receiving my degree in International Area Studies at Seoul National University with a focus on China and South Korea. In addition to South Korea, have studied abroad in Dalian and Tianjin in China and Taipei in Taiwan!
Your Support Staff
You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Kaylee Klinger, our student advisor and 2x CIS Abroad alum, can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Find ways to connect with your host community – the language, everyday activities, common gathering places. You’ll discover that you can gain the most genuine and life-long friendships just by trying to immerse yourself into the culture.
I highly recommend learning some of the language, even a few phrases, before going abroad for an extended amount of time. Don’t be afraid to mess up speaking – though you will likely say something wrong and hilarious (I’ve got too many instances in Korean to count), that’s part of the process and the locals will definitely appreciate the genuine effort!
Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Nov 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: February 25 (Estimated)
- Departure: June 21 (Estimated)
- Price: $10,790
- Application Deadline: May 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: August 25 (Estimated)
- Departure: December 22 (Estimated)
- Price: $11,290
- Application Deadline: Nov 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: February 24 (Estimated)
- Departure: June 19 (Estimated)
- Price: $11,290 (Estimated)
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.