Summer in Seoul - Yonsei University (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Study at Yonsei University — South Korea’s oldest and most prestigious university — and experience cutting-edge academics, a diverse international student population, and being in a prime location for shopping, eating, and exploring Seoul.
• Spend your summer earning 6-9 credits while taking English-taught courses in humanities, business, social sciences, and STEM. Deepen your immersion by adding optional Korean language and studies course.
• Choose between a four- or six-week program at Yonsei, where you will feel supported by ISEP’s local coordinator, Brian Min, who arranges cultural activities for all students in Seoul, making it easy to navigate the city and connect with the ISEP community.
LIFE ABROAD
Seoul is a city of contrast — glass skyscrapers rising behind royal palaces, late-night street food stalls steps from high-end fashion districts, and summer evenings unfolding along the Han River. Ride the Korean Wave in the city that gave us K-pop, Taekwondo, and K-dramas by singing at a noraebang, grilling dinner at a K-BBQ table, attending free park concerts, or joining YISS-organized outings such as a Seoul city tour, DMZ visit, or trip to a Korean folk village.
Experience & Cultural Engagement
Start your summer with Yonsei’s orientation where you’ll learn about school resources, activities, and tips for academic success. The university organizes structured excursions that help you familiarize yourself with Seoul and explore the fun things to do, ensuring your four- or six-week program is balanced between learning and cultural engagement. Past excursions include trips to Gyeongbokgung palace where you get to wear a traditional hanbok, and Lotte World, a popular indoor amusement park. These excursions are designed to give you a range of historical and modern South Korean experiences, and since they typically take place on Fridays, you’ll have ample time on the weekends to plan your own activities or explore beyond Seoul.
Live & Dine
Live in a shared apartment at Mangrove Sinchon, a modern off-campus residence just steps from Sinchon Station and a short walk or subway ride to Yonsei’s main campus. Share a three-bedroom unit with two roommates, complete with private bedrooms, a shared en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, in-unit washer and dryer, and air conditioning. Mangrove Sinchon also has its own diner and store, cinema lounge, yoga room, curated library, fitness space, and outdoor terrace, all designed for community engagement and a comfortable resident life. When you're not dining at your residence or Yonsei’s campus cafeteria, visit Sinchon’s lively university district to find 24-hour street food stalls, neighborhood cafés, and markets where you can try everything from Korean staples like bibimbap and Korean barbecue to late-night comfort foods like fried chicken and tteokbokki.
Explore Seoul
Spend weekends shopping at Dongdaemun Market or hiking in Bukhansan National Park, take the high-speed KTX train to coastal cities like Busan or Boryeong for the world-famous Mud Festival, or visit mountain-ringed Daegu during its lively Chimaek (chicken and beer) festival. Venture even farther with short flights to Jeju Island to marvel at volcanic landscapes and waterfalls, or vibrant destinations across Asia, including Tokyo, Bangkok, and Manila.
What We Love About This Program
Few places combine cultural energy, academic intensity, and global connectivity quite like Seoul. Paired with Yonsei University’s acclaimed academic reputation and the city’s dynamic food, fashion, and nightlife, it’s no surprise this remains one of ISEP’s most popular programs — delivering a summer where opportunity lives both in the classroom and throughout the city.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (4 week program)
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (6 week program)
Course Description
Yonsei International Summer School offers English-taught classes and Korean language classes. Students will choose to enroll in two courses (for 6 U.S. credits) or three courses (for 9 U.S. credits). Tuition fees are based on the number of credits.
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 3-9 credits which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 3-9 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course will be worth 3 Korean credits / 3 US credit hours.
Please note that if you use financial aid, you may be required to earn 6 US credits to be eligible for summer aid. Please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your eligibility and the requirements for using financial aid.
Please find course syllabi for Yonsei Summer classes in this folder.
Sample course offerings for both the six week and four week program are below:
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Six-Week Program Courses Additional Options Available, Please Ask your Student Services Officer for a Complete List |
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Arts & Humanities |
Korean & East Asian Studies |
Business & Economics |
Social Sciences |
Korean Language |
STEM |
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Global Literature |
Introduction to Korean Studies |
Global Marketing Management |
A New Context of Chinese Foreign Policy |
Advanced Korean Language I |
Biological Principles |
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Introduction to Art History |
Korean Development |
Global Supply Chain Management |
Social Psychology |
Advanced Korean Language II |
Engineering Math: Differential Equations |
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World Literature: English & American Literature |
Introduction to Asian Studies |
International Management |
Korean Politics and International Relations |
Beginning Korean Language I |
General Chemistry |
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Introduction to Computer Graphics |
Contemporary Korean Culture & The Korean Wave |
Economic Sociology |
Introduction to International Relations |
Beginning Korean Language II |
Genetics |
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World History: The Modern Era |
East Asian Fiction |
Financial Accounting |
Introduction to Psychology |
Beginning Korean Language III |
Introduction to Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics |
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Korean American History |
Strategic Management |
Race and Law |
Intermediate Korean Language I |
Organic Chemistry |
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Korean Cinema |
Introduction to Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics |
Real Law and Order |
Intermediate Korean Language II |
Introduction to Statistics |
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Modern Korean History |
International Human Resource Management |
Sociology of the Family |
Intermediate Korean Language III |
Linear Algebra |
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Asian American Literature |
Introduction to Corporate Finance |
Understanding Sociology |
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Neurobiology |
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East Asian Art History |
Introduction to Investment Management |
Legal Theory: Law and Philosophy |
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Sample Four-Week Program Courses |
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Korea Studies |
Business & Economics |
Social Sciences |
Korean Language |
Computer Science |
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(Online) Covid-19 Global Impact and Korea's Perspectives |
(Online) Law and Economics |
Media and Society |
Korean I |
(Online Only) AI & Design |
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Modern Korean Literature |
Entrepreneurship and Management |
Social Psychology |
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(Online Only) Introduction to Python Programming |
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Contemporary Korean Culture & The Korean Wave |
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Machine Learning |
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Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Machine Learning |
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Korean Economy |
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Academics
Other Academic Conditions
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Some students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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