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Seoul, South Korea

Summer in Seoul

New for Summer 2025!

Study Program

Tentative Dates

-

8 weeks

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend your summer in Seoul, a city that seamlessly blends antiquity and modernity, with tall skyscrapers and cutting-edge technology side-by-side next to royal palaces and thousand-year-old temples! This fascinating city is the perfect place to combine fun cultural activities with a deep academic experience in your choice of one or two four-week summer sessions.  

When class is in session, you’ll explore some of the most interesting topics in Korean studies by taking a single intensive course per session, while enjoying CIEE-organized excursions and cultural activities that bring your classroom studies to life. In your free time, you’ll have every opportunity to learn more about Seoul’s history, culture, and society by visiting popular landmarks, connecting with locals, and immersing yourself in Korean society.

Whether you decide to live and learn in Seoul for one month or two, you’re sure to embark on one of the most exciting study abroad adventures imaginable for a life-changing summer!

Unique Experiences

Participate in vibrant cultural events with our 'Seoul Mates'

who will serve as your local buddies and mentors; they'll guide you to hidden gems throughout Seoul, ensuring you experience the city like a true local

Ride a bike along the Han River

using the Seoul's public bike-sharing program, Ttareungyi

\

Try on Korea's elegant traditional clothing, Hanbok

and visit historical sites in the city

11.5

MILES OF HANYANGDOSEONG, SEOUL’S OLD CITY WALLS, HAVE BEEN PRESERVED

14

NATIONAL MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA IN SEOUL

24

LETTERS IN HANGUL, THE KOREAN ALPHABET

Experience
  • seoul city skyline
  • seoul cheonggyechon park at night
  • seoul insadong pavilion

Your Destination

Seoul, the vibrant capital of South Korea, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, where visitors can see ancient rites performed at a Joseon-era shrine in the morning before dancing the night away to K-pop. The city's rich cultural heritage is evident in its well-preserved palaces, bustling traditional markets, and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which share space with sleek, modern architecture like the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Students can immerse themselves in Korean history by visiting landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, while also enjoying contemporary attractions such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Lotte Tower. From the trendy shopping of Apkujeong to the music scene of Hongdae, the quiet alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village to the bustle of Namdaemun Market, Seoul offers something for everyone, and its many juxtapositions can help students find new ways to think about the world around them.  

Summer, with festivals, events, and performances, is a wonderful time to visit Seoul. There’s always lots to do and see, whether it’s a picnic in one of the parks along the Han River, a hike in the mountains leading to a thousand-year-old temple, visiting the boutiques and cafés in the winding alleys of Ikseon-dong, or perusing art at one of the city’s many galleries and exhibits. Seoul’s extensive and inexpensive transit system will get you where you want to go by train, subway, bus, or bike-sharing, and metro lines run all the way to neighboring provinces and cities for easy access around the region. The city is also among the world’s safest and most cosmopolitan, making it a great place to experience a summer abroad as a student.

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

taekwondo class study abroad seoul

Excursions & Activities

  • Tour the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea for a glimpse into Korea’s tragic 20th century history and the foundation of the modern political system 
  • Try your hand at making traditional food in a Korean cooking class 
  • Tour one of the five major palaces from the Joseon Era 
  • Go on a hike to get acquainted with Korea’s natural environment 
  • Learn a new skill like taekwondo or K-pop dance 

Program Blogs

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Top 20 Korean Slang Words and Phrases You Must Know

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Are you worried about traveling to South Korea and feeling lost in conversation with locals, struggling to understand the Korean slang they're using? Don't worry; you're not alone. Just like... keep reading

south korea study abroad the ultimate guide
From CIEE

Study Abroad in South Korea: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Known officially as the Republic of Korea, South Korea is brimming with exciting excursions and educational opportunities – not to mention an incredible food and culture scene! It’s no wonder... keep reading

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From CIEE

Top 5 Places to Study Abroad in the Asia-Pacific Region

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

@cieestudyabroad Top places to study abroad in the Asia-Pacific region! #cieestudyabroad #ciee #studyabroad #asia #australia #china #taiwan #singapore #southkorea #japan #kyoto #tokyo #seoul #taipei #beijing #shanghai #sydneyaustralia #sydney Dance You... keep reading

Housing

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Seoul strives to ensure you are comfortable in your home away from home. Housing is located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries. 

Standard Housing: Includes a double-occupancy room in a residential hotel in the downtown area, about 20 minutes from CIEE Seoul by foot or public transportation.  

Meals

Programs in Seoul do not offer a meal plan. However, there are many food vendors throughout the city and especially near CIEE Seoul that cater to students with affordable meals. There is also a wide variety of restaurants throughout Seoul representing many different cultures, diets (including halal food, vegetarian, etc.), and price points.   

seoul housing basic double window

Standard Housing

Double room

seoul street food

Meals

Street food

Academics

Academics

All students take one three-credit course, with the option of adding a one-credit Communicative Korean language course. In class work is augmented with co-curricular activities that take the student out of the classroom and into Seoul for more experiential learning.  

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students enroll in one 3-credit course per session and have the option to take the Communicative Language course, once, for 1 additional credit.  

Program Credit

3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits per session

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours  
  • CIEE Communicative Language Course: 1 U.S. semester/1.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours  

Students studying with CIEE for multiple sessions may take Communicative Korean only once. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Students take one full-credit course per session. CIEE courses are delivered in English and designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. Similar to classes at U.S. institutions, students should expect to spend an average of two hours of preparation and study for each hour in CIEE classes. Attendance is extremely important for CIEE classes and co-curricular activities, and instruction is supported and augmented by CIEE’s learning management system, Canvas.  

Class Format

Courses are taught through the CIEE Center in Seoul. Students enroll in one full-credit course per session and can enroll for up to two consecutive sessions. All courses are taught to U.S. academic standards. Classes typically meet 3-4 times per week, for anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on the course and schedule of activities, with required co-curricular sessions that take place outside the classroom to supplement and enrich student learning. Attendance for both classes and co-curriculars is strictly enforced. CIEE’s learning management system, Canvas, is used to support and augment classes.

Grading

CIEE reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For CIEE-administered courses, students’ grades are typically based on participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

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.

Dates & Fees

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 Session I and II 2025 8 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*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.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial 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.

See Scholarships

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

Staff

Our Staff

tina lee

Tina Lee

Interim Center Director/Operations Manager

Tina has extensive experience in student support and academic mentoring and loves to share Korean traditional and contemporary culture.

teddy chol

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...

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