fall in seoul palace reflect water

Study Abroad in South Korea

Click to scroll down and read more

study abroad south korea

Learn Korean abroad and bring your studies to a land of harmony and excitement.

There’s no denying that South Korea has become a global powerhouse that holds the world’s attention, making it an excellent study abroad destination in Asia. With a booming K-Pop music scene, modern high-rise buildings, ancient palaces and shrines, designer creations, authentic cuisine, and more, South Korea uniquely blends the old with the new!

At the heart of Korean culture, education, politics, and economics is Seoul. Whether you’re looking to apply for a summer, semester, or year-long study abroad program, CIEE’s programs in South Korea offer something that every student can enjoy. When you study abroad in South Korea, you can complete courses from business, communication, and media to Korean language, culture, philosophy, and more. You may choose to study in Korean or complete courses in English -- or both!

When you study in Korea, you may enhance your academic experience by completing a full- or part-time internship. This unique opportunity allows students to gain real-world international work experience, expand their professional networks, and develop valuable skills that complement their studies. Internships are available across diverse industries, including business, marketing, manufacturing, sustainability, and more, providing a well-rounded perspective of today's global job market and enriching the overall study abroad experience.

In South Korea, CIEE gives students access to homestays, internships, volunteering opportunities, an international buddy program, and direct enrollment options with added cultural clubs, activities, and excursions that provide a uniquely immersive international experience. Come write your story of South Korea with CIEE and learn Korean abroad. 

seoul train lines headed toward airport

New Programs Coming Soon!

  • Engineering, Technology, and Science – Coming Fall 2025
  • Intern + Study Abroad – Coming Summer 2025

Study Abroad Programs in South Korea

seoul mountain night time
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Study Program
  • Full-Time Internship

Diversifying your resume with international experience in a city that never sleeps.

Features
  • Big City
seoul bongeunsa temple
  • Seoul, South Korea
New for January '25
  • Study Program

Spend your winter break in the South Korea’s captivating capital, Seoul! During this exciting three-week program, you’ll discover the city’s special blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations.

Features
  • Big City
seoul-bongeun-sa-temple-buddha-modern-skyline.jpg
  • Seoul, South Korea
New for Summer '25
  • Study Program

Spend your summer in Seoul, a city that seamlessly blends antiquity and modernity.

Features
  • Big City
temple seoul south korea sunset
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Study Program

Explore culture, business practices, and Korean language

Features
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
seoul traditional temple water reflection leaves
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Study Program

...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!

Get to know Seoul on your terms by customizing your study abroad experience through the Open Campus Block program.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
back street seoul south korea
  • Seoul, South Korea
AACSB and EQUIS ✓
  • Study Program

Seoul is full of intrigue and inspiration for students

Features
  • AACSB-Accredited
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
  • Volunteering
seoul-gyeongbokgung-palace-stone-sculptures
  • Seoul, South Korea
New for Spring '25
  • Study Program

Welcome to Seoul, where the pulse of modern life harmonizes with ancient culture and traditions. Regardless of your area of study, Hanyang University offers something for everyone.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
seoul cheonggyechon park at night
  • Seoul, South Korea
New for Spring '25
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

Spend a semester studying abroad in Seoul, a vibrant, modern metropolis that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Host Institution

Study Abroad South Korea Experiences

  • "CIEE has really changed my life! I can tell that the South Korea Seoul study abroad team really put in a lot of thought and effort into making this trip full of fun cultural memories and experiences that will benefit our growth."

    Tyra B., Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

  • "I have already recommended CIEE to friends because I believe CIEE does a very good job of getting everyone acclimated to their whereabouts and giving us good resources to use for any occasion. They also cover a large amount of fees, making it more enjoyable for the student. CIEE is very welcoming, and it's something I will never forget."

    Mariam L., Pennsylvania State University

  • "CIEE provides a lot of on-site support that really helps students get acclimated to living in a new country and ease some of the anxiety and fears that I had when I first arrived."

    Heba M., Georgetown University

  • "CIEE did all the hard work of getting to the country and they did a great job of integrating us into daily life in Korea. The staff are very friendly and more than willing to help CIEE participants with anything."

    Carrie L., Belmont University

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re wondering how to study abroad in Korea, students can complete a few simple steps:

  1. Search our study abroad programs in South Korea
  2. Connect with your campus study abroad office
  3. Start your application

For more information, check out: Study Abroad in South Korea: The Ultimate Guide

South Korea offers students a unique opportunity to experience a highly developed Asian nation that values its history and traditions. When students study in Korea, they’ll learn about a new culture and improve their Korean language skills, all while completing relevant coursework in their areas of interest. 

South Korea has much to explore, from its glowing cities and exciting nightlife to areas outside of its cities with large mountain ranges, temples, shrines, hot springs, and more.

Read more: Why Study Abroad in Seoul: Top 3 Reasons

South Korea is a great study abroad destination for students looking to experience the city, but also explore more remote, historic areas. Where else can you travel to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, belt K-Pop songs in karaoke rooms, wear a traditional hanbok, eat fresh kimchi and bibimbap, and visit temples with thousands of years of history? 

By studying in South Korea, students will have access to an international buddy program, university clubs, and cultural excursions that create an immersive international experience like none other. 

If you're wondering whether to study abroad in South Korea or Japan, you may want to consider the similarities and differences between both countries. For one, South Korea and Japan speak different languages, so if you should ask yourself whether you'd like to study Korean or Japanese. 

Next, you may want to consider CIEE's program offerings in both locations. CIEE South Korea programs are located in Seoul and include Open Campus, Internships, J-term, Korean Studies, and more. CIEE Japan programs are located in either Kyoto or Tokyo and include J-term, Summer Global Internship, Japanese Studies, Arts + Sciences, and more. We encourage you to explore each individual program to determine what courses, locations, and extracurriculars interest you most.

Read more: Where Should I Study Abroad: 7 Tips to Help You Decide

The cost of studying abroad in South Korea varies depending on the specific program that you choose and how long you plan to study abroad for. For detailed cost information, we recommend researching each individual South Korea study abroad program page.

For costs not included in your program’s outlined fees, it’s important to consider factors surrounding your individual journey while abroad.  

Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad?

Yes, you can absolutely complete an internship abroad in South Korea with CIEE. Our international internship programs allow college students to choose from a variety of full- and part-time internships abroad in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, finance, hospitality, healthcare, public policy, and more!

Search our internship opportunities to get started!

Yes! You can absolutely study abroad in South Korea without knowing Korean. In fact, we encourage students with little to no knowledge of a language to challenge themselves by going abroad to the respective country. 

If you're looking to brush up before your travels to South Korea, check out our blog post: Top 20 Korean Slang Words and Phrases You Must Know

@seoulciee on Instagram