Summer Korean Studies
Unique Experiences
Choose from a vast range of courses
at top-rated Yonsei University in arts, humanities, East Asian and Korean studies, economics, sciences, technology, and more.
Visit museums,
temples, historic sites, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and other significant places.
Fast-forward your Korean
language skills with courses at all levels.
9
UNESCO World Heritage sites
3 M
international residents
123
floors in Lotte World Tower, Seoul's tallest building
Your Destination
Packed with people, it’s no wonder Seoul is the capital and largest city in South Korea. A vibrant business and financial hub, Seoul also brims with culture, with more than 100 museums, numerous religious monuments, parks, markets, festivals, sports teams, and the Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces. The mighty Han River runs through the city, and rugged mountains loom in the distance.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Seoul.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Start with an excursion beyond Seoul to get to know the country, its people, and its natural beauty.
- Learn taekwondo during Friday morning sessions at the University.
- Take a Korean cooking class along with a street food tour.
- Learn about the Korean Wave, a.k.a. Hallyu, at the source, and see what’s behind the spread of South Korean culture kicked off by K-Pop.
CIEE Seoul Mates
Connect with local Korean students through our Seoul Mates program. Get to know the city, language, culture, and customs with the help of students trained by CIEE to help with orientation, organize social events, host workshops, and more.
Program Blogs
Pop-Up Culture in Seoul
Being from the US, I’ve never really experienced anything like the pop-up culture that is active in Seoul. With pop-ups designed by makeup companies to luxury brands, these stores are... keep reading
Spontaneity in Seoul: From Rock Themed Bungeoppang Cafes to Ear Piercings in Hongdae
Having a list of destinations to visit in Seoul is always great to keep in the back of your mind, but I will say that some of the best experiences... keep reading
A Hanbok Cultural Experience
While exploring the beautiful palaces of Korea, I was fortunate to rent a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress known for its vibrant colors, flowing lines, and elegant design. Wearing a... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Seoul offers diverse housing options to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. From twin rooms on campus to single rooms off campus, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a twin room in a dorm on campus. Students have access to study rooms, a fitness center, a shared kitchen, and laundry facilities. Internet access is provided.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room in a residence hall off campus within 30 minutes by public transportation to Yonsei University. Each room features an ensuite toilet and shower, a desk and a chair. The residence hall has a shard kitchenette and washing machines. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
Programs in Seoul do not offer a meal plan. However, students can prepare food in their kitchenette. Also, there are many food vendors with a wide variety of restaurants throughout Seoul representing many different cultures, diets (including halal food, vegetarian, etc.), and price points.
Academics
This rigorous summer program is designed for students to immerse themselves in the rich Korean culture while taking two or three language or area study courses with local and international students at the prestigious Yonsei University. The program starts with a one-week orientation that covers various facets of Korean society. Professors are visiting scholars and professors from Korean, U.S., and other international universities. Many courses are taught by faculty from the University of California system, with which Yonsei has a longstanding partnership. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Yonsei University is one of the most prestigious private institutions of higher education in Korea with 18 graduate schools, 22 colleges, and a student population of more than 23,000, including more than 4,000 students from 25 countries. The large, beautiful campus offers superior athletic facilities, including a fitness center, pool, gym, and basketball and tennis courts.
Course Information
Students may only choose Yonsei University courses available to the 6-week program.
YONSEI UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL COURSES
Students enroll directly in Yonsei University summer school courses. View course listings and syllabi. The following is a sampling of courses available. Course offerings change from year to year. They are typically listed, along with syllabi, on the Yonsei University website under the Yonsei International Summer School section at the beginning of the application period and are available in CIEE enrollment materials. Students are advised to remain flexible in their course selection as some classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. Students are encouraged to have course alternatives in the event their first choice is unavailable.
Note: CIEE participants can only enroll in 6-week courses, not 4-week courses.
- Korean Language
- Introductory Philosophy
- World Literature: English & American Literature
- Marketing
- Contemporary Korean Culture & the Korean Culture Wave
- International Economics
- Media Psychology
- Korean Cinema
- East Asian Art History
- Korean Political Economy
- General Chemistry
- Asian American Literature
- East Asian Cinema
- Social Psychology
- Organic Chemistry
- Innovation and Technology Management
- Topics in Korean Culture: Globalization and Multiculturalism
- Introduction to Corporate Finance
- Principles of Microeconomics
- East Asian Fiction
- Genetics
- Principles of Managerial Accounting
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer 2025 6 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $8,750 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $7,040**
Housing = $1,210***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $8,750Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $795†
International Airfare = $1,600
Local Transportation = $150
Books & Supplies = $150
Personal expenses = $210††
Other = $200
Total Costs = $3,105Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Teddy Choi
Student Life Manager
Teddy’s passion and love of international education was driven by his life-changing study abroad experience in the US. He tries to go the extra mile for every single student to...
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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