Semester in Seoul
Sogang University
Study with other motivated students in bustling Seoul
Head to Seoul for a cool contrast of history and modernity, vibrancy and tranquility. You’ll make your home base at Sogang University, one of the leading research and liberal arts universities in South Korea. You’ll be among many serious students from South Korea (local students come from the top 1% of their high school classes) as well as numerous international students. Attend the Sunrise Festival at the beginning of the semester hosted by student clubs who welcome new students to the school.
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: 2.8 (Sophomore or higher)
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- AACSB-accredited business school with 40% international student body
- Easy access to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in and around Seoul
- Fully-equipped athletic facilities
- Study at the alma mater of the first woman president of South Korea
- Numerous cool clubs: tarot card reading, start-up business, comic/video game culture, English conversation club, and more!
Program Details
Sogang University
A Jesuit institution, Sogang University is one of the leading research and liberal arts universities in South Korea. You’ll be among many serious students from South Korea (local students come from the top 1% of their high school classes) as well as numerous international students (40% of students living on campus are international). Notable alumni include Park Geun-hye, the first woman president of South Korea.
Established in 1960, the university’s pristine concrete and glass buildings soar above sweeping green lawns. The athletic facilities are fully equipped with indoor courts, an artificial climbing wall, soundproof music rooms for practicing, and outdoor soccer fields. Eat at one of the two on campus eateries or swing by Gonzaga Plaza to grab some food or something from the convenience store.
This small university cares about the student community. In May, K-pop music performances and food from local bars spring up around campus for the Daedongjae Festival. Each semester, the university also organizes the Sunrise Festival to welcome new students and student clubs host a street festival to recruit new members. You can join the tarot card reading club, the start-up business club, a club all about critiquing comics and video game culture, an English conversation club, martial arts clubs, or something else!
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Communications
- Business
- Art & Design
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Natural & Applied Sciences
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Classes Available
Major Focuses: Economics, Management, Communications & Media Studies, Education, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, History, Law & Legal Studies, Literature & Creative Writing, Philosophy & Ethics, Religious Studies & Theology, Korean Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Political Science & Government, Psychology, Sociology
Additional classes in: Digital Media & Design, Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Advertising, Film Studies, Public Relations, TV & Radio Broadcasting & Production, Software Engineering, Exercise & Sports Science, Speech Pathology & Communication Disorders, Gender & Women’s Studies, Korean Language & Culture*
To search the Sogang University Course Catalog (Academic Year 2022) keep in mind the following:
- 1st Semester = Spring Semester; 2nd Semester = Fall Semester
- Be sure to check the box “Courses for Exchange Students”
- If you are proficient in Korean, you can take courses taught in Korean, but you will need to un-click the “Courses for Exchange Students”
- To access the syllabus for each course click on the “Inquiry” button listed under the Syllabus column
- 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 from year to year. Once the new courses have been finalized they will be updated here.
*Korean Language & Culture – Beginner Course:
Korean Language & Culture – Beginner was designed to help international students improve their Korean communicative competence by learning Korean language and culture. Specifically, the course covers the Korean alphabet (Hangul), essential vocabulary, basic grammar, listening, reading, and speaking at the beginner level. Various materials (e.g., K-pop, drama, TV commercial, Korean fairy tales) will be used to help students understand the Korean cultural context that will enable them to better communicate with others in Korean.
Korean Language Intensive Program:
At Sogang University’s Korean Language Center students can take part in an intensive language program focused on speaking ability. This program includes 12 credits of intensive Korean Language study paired with one elective course in English from the Course Catalog above. Korean Language courses take place for 4 hours each afternoon, leaving your mornings free for study and one additional elective course. Students participating in the Korean Language intensive program must be a Korean major or related (eg: East Asia Studies). Placement exams on site determine students’ levels, but true beginners are also welcome.
![_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.
On-Campus Residence Hall
Location
Students will be housed in the modern Gonzaga Hall on campus. Rooms are double occupancy and include a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, bathroom with a shower, telephone, AC unit, and internet access.
Check out the photo gallery to see what your housing in Gonzaga Hall might be like.
Meals
A partial meal plan or meal stipend will be included in your program with many eateries on campus or very nearby where students love to grab anything from a quick snack to a full meal.
Inclusions and Amenities
- Air conditioning
- BathroomEnsuite
- CommuteWalking
- Desk
- Double Room
- LaundryOn-site
- Meal PlanPartial
- Wi-Fi
Housing Note
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Meal plan (with on-campus housing option)
- 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
- Seoul Walking Tour
- Day trip to the DMZ and one or more overnight excursions
- The Local Life cultural program
- Sogang University official transcript
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival, 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. What will your site director cover? Where to go to enjoy some social, cultural and recreational activities, how to stay safe, and where to shop. Also enjoy a 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. Also enjoy one last delicious Korean meal before you go!
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
- Arrival: February 24
- Departure: June 22
- Price: $11,690
- Application Deadline: May 1
- Arrival: August 25
- Departure: December 22
- Price: $11,790
- Application Deadline: Nov 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: February 23 (Estimated)
- Departure: June 20 (Estimated)
- Price: $11,790 (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.