Summer in Seoul
Korean Culture & Language Immersion
Tune into the culture of South Korea
Explore the beautifully landscaped parks alongside the central Cheon-gye stream, the Jongmyo shrine, and the buzzing Dongdaemun or Namdaemun night markets while you tap your toes to the Korean beat. Take classes at Sogang University in Seoul, a Jesuit institution dedicated to global learning. The university’s pristine concrete and glass buildings soar above sweeping green lawns, and the athletic facilities are fully equipped with indoor courts, an artificial climbing wall, soundproof music rooms for practicing, and outdoor soccer fields. Immerse yourself in the Korean language with intensive daily coursework and cultural excursions designed to get you practicing, from the top Korean language university in the world.
What to Expect:
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Language: Korean
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Average Courseload: 2 courses (6 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.5
Highlights:
- 120 hours of Korean language immersion in 4 weeks
- Daily culture classes & activities with Korean students
- Live in a bustling 24-hour city
- Most meals included (breakfast and dinner) in residence hall cafeteria
- Fridays are class-free, reserved for off-campus social and cultural outings
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 at least 2 classes available
- Korean
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
This activity packed program is for students who want to learn the Korean language and immerse themselves in Korean culture. You do not need to speak Korean to participate in this program, but it is a 100% Korean Language Immersion program.
Mornings – Korean Language
6 different levels of Korean Language will be offered in the morning for 4 hours.
Korean Culture & Language Course Syllabus
Afternoons – Cultural Instruction/Activities
Afternoons will consist of 2 hours of cultural instruction or activity (to give more practical application for the language learning experience). The daily culture classes are focused on specific aspects of Korean culture such as musical instruments, a palace tour, cooking, K-pop dance, Korean quiz contest, taekwondo.
Every Friday is a special culture day off campus with visits such as a Korean baseball game or hiking in the mountains. The culture classes are mixed together with Sogang university students who speak English and will help you with your Korean!
See the schedule below (click to enlarge)
![_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
Meal plans are not included, but there are 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 US dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Meals: M-F Breakfast & Dinner, Saturday – Breakfast
- 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, you’ll take part in both the university and CISabroad 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 are just a few topics. Oh, and there’ll be 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. We’ll walk you through some of the things to expect, rehash your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights and, yep, we’ll feed you 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
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.
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!
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: Apr 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: June 22 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 20 (Estimated)
- Price: $4,690 (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.