Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Become immersed in the rich culture and history of South Korea while studying at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. This exchange program allows participants to directly enroll in university courses in a variety of fields while studying alongside Korean and international students from around the world. This program is ideal for students from a variety of majors who are interested in Korean language and culture.
The capital of South Korea, Seoul has a population of over 10 million and is the nation's cultural, educational, and political center. The host of the 1988 Summer Olympics and 2002 World Cup, Seoul is home to many cultural attractions such as museums, shrines, shopping districts and gardens. From the crowded markets to the peaceful Han River that runs through the city center, Seoul offers one of the most striking settings of any large city in Asia.
The capital of South Korea, Seoul has a population of over 10 million and is the nation's cultural, educational, and political center. The host of the 1988 Summer Olympics and 2002 World Cup, Seoul is home to many cultural attractions such as museums, shrines, shopping districts and gardens. From the crowded markets to the peaceful Han River that runs through the city center, Seoul offers one of the most striking settings of any large city in Asia.
Getting to Your Program
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Seoul but are given guidelines for arrival dates.
Visa
A student visa is required. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. You will apply for your own visa. IAP will provide you with visa information.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
In addition, students will attend orientation upon arrival in Seoul. Yonsei also provides the option for students to participate in the International Buddy Program that pairs a Yonsei student with exchange students.
Housing
Students can apply to live in the International House (I-House) on campus. The International House can accommodate up to 240 students in double rooms. The house is available to undergraduate students and graduate students with separate wings for men and women. A mixture of Korean and non-Korean students live in the house providing an international atmosphere. Every room is equipped with LAN connections for Internet use.
The house has shared refrigerators for student use, lounge areas, study areas, a recreation area, a lecture room, a computer room and laundry facilities. The rooms have twin beds, closets, desks, and a small bookcase.
Students are responsible for their own meals as there is no meal plan in the house. Students may buy their meals in one of the college cafeterias or in the university area's many restaurants.
Students can also choose to participate in the homestay program for their time abroad. Meals are not necessarily guaranteed for this option.
Excursions and Activities
Students can experience Korean culture by participating in various Yonsei clubs and activities for international students. The famous Yon-Ko Games, an annual sports festival of Yonsei University and Korea University, is also a major must-see for international students.
The Office of International Affairs provides multiple opportunities for international students to connect with Yonsei students, including a global language exchange where international students are paired with a Yonsei student to practice learning each other's language. Students can also participate in the Global Club Network which will connect international students with clubs in Yonsei. Most of these efforts are coordinated through the Global Lounge, which is an area for international students to learn more about programming as well as a place to watch major international news channels, read international newspapers and magazines and access the free internet service.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
Office of International Affairs (OIA)
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
Program Handbook (Spring - 2012-13)
Yonsei Summer Academic Notes (Summer - 2012-13)
Yonsei International Summer School (Summer - 2012-13)
Yonsei Academic Notes (Fall - 2013-14)
Yonsei Office of International Affairs (Fall - 2013-14)
Yonsei Academic Notes (Year - 2013-14)
Yonsei Office of International Affairs (Year - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Blogs
Read about current & past students' adventures.
Pam-Academic Year 2012-13
Since its founding in 1885, Yonsei University has been synonymous with international education and exchange in Asia. As the most internationalized and open institution of higher learning in Korea, Yonsei by far enjoys the longest history of international education in Korea with the most extensive network of exchange partners world-wide. Yonsei maintains the most extensive international network in Korea with 574 partner institutions in 60 countries and educates the largest number of international students among Korean universities, with nearly 4,500 students in the academic year 2007.
In addition to gaining academic excellence, international students are also exposed to a beautiful and culturally rich environment. Yonsei University is particularly fortunate to be situated in a spacious, quiet, and well-wooded environment located just in the center of Seoul's metropolitan area. Its scenic campus has recently been described as "one of the most beautiful campuses in the world" by CNN's special program, EYE ON SOUTH KOREA.
Students on this program will take classes on the Yonsei campus alongside Korean and other international students from all over the world. Participants can choose to take courses in a variety of departments, including Korean language, history, political science and many more. All courses are taught by Yonsei faculty and are instructed in either English or Korean. Students can also participate in Korean language classes during their time at Yonsei but it is not required. Students can participate on this program with no prior knowledge of the Korean language.
Program Web Page(s)
www.yonsei.ac.kr/eng/
summer.yonsei.ac.kr/
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
