Study in Seoul (in English, Korean) - ISEP Exchange
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience the powerful school spirit of KU throughout the campus and onto the sports fields, courts, and ice-skating rinks through KU’s unique cheering culture.
• Korea University is world-renowned for the quality of its academic programs offering intriguing topics such as Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea, World Cultures, and Basic Hacking Practice.
• An assigned student buddy will help you acclimate to life in Seoul and at Korea University through fun one-on-one and group experiences.
• Korea University boasts multiple accreditations including AACSB, EQUIS, UNESCO International Union of Architects (UNESCO-UIA), and other Korea-based accreditations.
LIFE ABROAD
Experience the vibrant pop cultural capital of Seoul, a city full of neon lights, beckoning street food, and the latest trends in fashion. Korea University is one of South Korea's oldest, largest, and most prestigious universities. You'll study on a campus that feels like its own neighborhood, with streets lined with coffee shops and eateries that create a powerful sense of community for students.
LIVE
ISEP Direct students live in a student apartment building in a 2-person room with ensuite bathroom in one of Seoul’s best shopping neighborhoods, Dongdaemun. The residence offers extra amenities like a coffee shop, free 24-hour laundry room, rooftop terrace, tv room, relaxation spaces, yoga space, and 24-hour study space. ISEP Exchange students will be offered housing through KU.
DINE
Dive into the street food culture of Seoul with local delicacies such as spicy rice cakes, Mandu (Korean dumplings), or Instagram-able Korean corn dogs. You will find an array of inexpensive restaurants and cafes near campus such as Burger King, Mom’s Touch, Bibigo, Mothers’ Bob, Lotteria, and more. There are also 6 convenience stores on campus where you can buy snacks, drinks, and basic necessities. We recommend ISEP Direct students budget approximately KRW 400,000 per month (~280 USD) for meals.
EXPERIENCE
Make new friends by joining one of the over 180 clubs including Taekwondo, basketball, tennis, bible study club, and more! Or attend KU's monthly events that will help you experience Korean culture and the KU school spirit. These include field trips in and around Seoul and events such as the International Student Festival - a festival where you can share your culture by hosting a booth with food and games from your home country. You can also strut your stuff during the international fashion show where students from around the world model their countries’ traditional clothing. Approximately 700 KU and international students (including those from other local institutions) attend and enjoy the display. It is one of many great ways that you will meet locals and other international students while on this program.
EXPLORE
Seoul is known for its convenient and inexpensive transportation costs. At Korea University, the campus is serviced by extensive bus and subway systems, offering fast and reliable services to and from the campus. Busan, Korea’s second biggest city, is only 2-3 hours by train near and offers views of the East Sea and scrumptious seafood dining. Or take a weekend trip to sites that highlight South Korea’s history and culture such as shrines, temples, fortresses, palaces, and Buddhist monasteries.
THRIVE
Have access to all the resources that Korea University has to offer including a student counseling service, a disability support center, and a career development center. To promote a healthy lifestyle, KU offers access to everything you need to keep fit, including a fitness center, a rock-climbing gym, running tracks, basketball courts, yoga classes, ice skating rinks, and so much more!
SOUTH KOREA PROGRAM ADVISOR
Brian (Kyung Hwan) Min, ISEP’s Seoul-based team member, provides extra support for ISEP students in Seoul and holds ISEP student meet-up events two to three times a semester. Past examples of events he has held include stamp-making and leather case-making, temple food tasting and a K-pop dancing session. Brian has an academic background in Psychology (BA), Women’s and Gender Studies (BA), and Higher Education and Student Affairs (MA). After studying in the US, Brian returned to Korea in 2015 and served in the Air Force. He has also worked in intercultural education, tourism, online teaching, and entrepreneurship (start-up). Brian is passionate about student success and fostering an inclusive and safe environment.
What We Love About Seoul
You will quickly learn why Seoul is seen as the birthplace of K-Pop culture and the center of where Hallyu began. To fully immerse yourself in Korean culture, take advantage of the free Korean Language classes offered during the semester breaks for students who have finished at least one semester at KU.
See the ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Fall)
See the ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Spring)
See the ISEP Exchange budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
Korea University is world-renowned for the quality of its academic programs. It offers a comprehensive catalog of English language classes including intriguing topics such as: Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea, World Cultures, and Basic Hacking Practice. The chart below reflects some of the more popular classes students have taken in the past. Use this to jump start your plans for your own study abroad program at Korea U!
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 12-19 credits per semester which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12-19 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course is usually worth 3 credits.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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International Studies |
Business |
Media & Communication |
Psychology |
Environmental Science |
|
Contemporary Korea |
Management Mathematics |
Principles of Public Relations |
Learning & Memory |
Environmental Chemistry |
|
Rethinking Korean Culture |
World Economy and Business |
Understanding Journalism |
Clinical Psychology |
Resource Recycling Technology |
|
Korea and International Law |
Marketing Management |
Communication, Cultural Diversity, and Media |
Biological Psychology |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
|
Human Rights in a Globalized World |
Financial Management |
Media & Gender |
Neurodiversity |
Landscape Planning & Practice |
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Special Topics in East Asian Studies |
Introduction to Operations Management |
Introduction to Broadcasting |
Abnormal Psychology |
Principle of Environmental Risk Assessment |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "Other Academic Conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Students have access to a host of courses offered to Exchange students and taught in English. Click the check box if a popup blocks the page, then select "English" above the login section of the course catalog page. To browse courses by subject, click the “more” section until the “Subject Inquiry” flag.
Once in the Undergraduate Course Registration System page, select an appropriate major and division from the drop-downs. Note that English-taught classes have "English" in parentheses next to them. Make sure the Exchange Column, labeled "3)X", has a check mark next to the course you are interested in. If your semester does not come up, select the semester for the most recent year. For example, if you are searching for Fall 2023 classes, you may need to select Fall 2022.
Click on the course code of a class to see syllabus and course description information. You can also use this visual guide to finding syllabi on the course catalogue..
Students interested in learning Korean language can look up the following courses in the Institute for General Education using their course codes depending on their proficiency:
• IFLS240 and IFLS241 – Beginning Korean Speaking
• IFLS242 – Intermediate Korean Speaking
• IFLS243 – Intermediate Korean Reading
• IFLS245 – Korean Writing For Beginners
• IFLS246 – Intermediate Korean Writing
• IFLS112 – Advanced Korean
• IFLS335 -- Korean Flagship Overseas Program Media Korean
Students must have course flexibility, as courses at KU are competitive and registration for specific courses cannot be guaranteed. In particular, Business, Media & Communications, International Studies, and Psychology (courses that start with BUSS, JMCO, DISS, PSYC) are in high demand.
Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Teacher Education, Cyber Defense, Art & Design, and all courses at the Sejong campus are closed to exchange students.
1 credit is generally equivalent to 1 class hour per week throughout 16 weeks except during the exam period. Korean classes may require more class hours than the other subjects.
Graduate courses at Korea University are only available to eligible ISEP Exchange applicants. ISEP Direct applicants will only be able to select courses from the undergraduate course catalog at Korea University regardless of their academic level at their home university.
The academic year runs from March to December and is made up of 2 terms at KU. The terms are approximately 16 weeks long. Exchange/Visiting students have a choice of 3 study periods:
• Full academic year: March-December / September- June
• Spring semester: March-June
• Fall Semester: September-December
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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