Semester in Seoul - Sogang University

Study with other motivated students in bustling Seoul

Head to Seoul for a cool contrast of history and modernity, vibrancy and tranquility. You'll make your home base at Sogang University, one of the leading research and liberal arts universities in South Korea. You’ll be among many serious students from South Korea (local students come from the top 1% of their high school classes) as well as numerous international students. Attend the Sunrise Festival at the beginning of the semester hosted by student clubs who welcome new students to the school.

What to Expect

Language(s):

English

Average Courseload:

4-5 classes (12-15 U.S. credits)

GPA Requirement:

2.80

Visa Requirement:

YES - Pre-departure

Highlights:

AACSB-accredited business school with 40% international student body

Easy access to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in and around Seoul

Fully-equipped athletic facilities

Numerous cool clubs: tarot card reading, start-up business, comic/video game culture, English conversation club, and more!

Soak up Korean culture straight from the source in the land of Hallyu: K-Dramas and K-Pop!

From day one, the South Korea site director made so much of an effort to help me. Thank you for sharing different Korean foods with us and introducing me to Korean barbecue. Thanks for all your help making my study abroad experience go smoothly!

Benjamin Schneider

This program provided me with an opportunity to grow in confidence in my abilities to navigate not only being away from home, but in a city with a language barrier. I was able to begin to find myself as a person and learn more about both how big and small the world is. I learned that laughter is the same in every language and the saying “distance makes the heart grow fonder” is true. I wouldn’t trade this experience, pandemic or not, for the world. CIS Abroad was a wonderful support system while I was in the country, so I am grateful to them.

Marissa Basile

Being abroad made me realize that I had to somehow, someway make my money last till the end of my trip. I set a goal of how much I was not going to spend and how much I could spend per week. I learned to budget and be responsible with my money.

Stephanie Hernandez

CIS Abroad helped me every step of the way with preparing for my journey abroad. The off-site advisors and on-site advisors were amazing and super helpful when answering all of my questions. I am so glad I chose CIS Abroad because I don’t think I could’ve planned this entire experience by myself!

Deja McLean

Program Details

Sogang University

A Jesuit institution, Sogang University is one of the leading research and liberal arts universities in South Korea. You'll be among many serious students from South Korea (local students come from the top 1% of their high school classes) as well as numerous international students (40% of students living on campus are international). Notable alumni include Park Geun-hye, the first woman president of South Korea.

Established in 1960, the university's pristine concrete and glass buildings soar above sweeping green lawns. The athletic facilities are fully equipped with indoor courts, an artificial climbing wall, soundproof music rooms for practicing, and outdoor soccer fields. Eat at one of the two on campus eateries or swing by Gonzaga Plaza to grab some food or something from the convenience store.

This small university cares about the student community. In May, K-pop music performances and food from local bars spring up around campus for the Daedongjae Festival. Each semester, the university also organizes the Sunrise Festival to welcome new students and student clubs host a street festival to recruit new members. You can join the tarot card reading club, the start-up business club, a club all about critiquing comics and video game culture, an English conversation club, martial arts clubs, or something else!

Course Information

Browse Courses

Course listings are for exploratory purposes, final course availability is determined during the enrollment process.

Filters

Life in Seoul

South Korea has everything: the longest subway system in the world, one of the most efficient writing systems, large and abundant forests, AND the world’s fastest internet connections (Take that, Netflix lag!). Seoul is a “dynamic city” that, according to Lonely Planet, “mashes up palaces, temples, cutting-edge design and mountain trails, all to a nonstop K-Pop beat.”

Still have stars in your eyes from the 2018 Olympics opening ceremony? You’re in luck! Just a 2-hour train ride from Pyeongchang, Seoul is the 9th most visited city in the world and the 4th largest earner in tourism. The metropolitan area around Seoul contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine, Namhansanseong and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.

Live the Local Life

Outdoor Parks

Walk over the pedestrian-only bridge on your way to Seonyudo Park, an island on the Hangang River that was formerly an industrial water treatment plant, but is now home to the Hangang History Museum and Botanical Gardens.

Cooking Class

Food is a huge staple in Korean culture - everything revolves around it. Learn to cook and then eat like a local.

Local Cultural Festivals

No shortage of celebration here! Seoul boasts the Lotus Lantern Festival, the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, and the Seoul Kimchi Making & Sharing Festival, among many more.

Learn to write Hangul

Hangul is the official written language of both South and North Korea, and is touted as the simplest language systems in the world. If you already don't know it, see how quickly you can pick it up!

Visual & Performance Art

Take a selfie in the wildly colorful Ihwa Mural Village, a revitalized artist neighborhood adorned with murals and filled with galleries, cafes. After, check out these gems within walking distance: Lock Museum, Ihwa-dong Village Museum, and Blacksmith Museum.

Sogang University Housing - Gonzaga Hall

Location

Students will be housed in the modern Gonzaga Hall on campus. Rooms are double occupancy and include a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, bathroom with a shower, telephone, AC unit, and internet access. Check out the photo gallery to see what your housing in Gonzaga Hall might be like.

Meals

Meal plans are not included, but there are many eateries on campus or very nearby where students love to grab anything from a quick snack to a full meal.

Inclusions and Amenities

Air Conditioning Bathroom - Shared Commute - Public Transportation Desk Laundry - Onsite Wi-Fi

What's Included

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

Full-time tuition and fees
Housing
Academic advising
Medical and accident insurance
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Pre-departure orientation
Airport pickup
CIS Abroad on-site orientation
On-site support
Seoul Walking Tour
Day trip to the DMZ and one or more overnight excursions
The Local Life cultural program
Sogang University official transcript

Welcome & Orientation

Upon arrival, take part in both the university and CIS Abroad orientation program. You'll learn the "dos and don'ts" of living in Seoul, South Korea. What will your site director cover? Where to go to enjoy some social, cultural and recreational activities, how to stay safe, and where to shop. Also enjoy a welcome meal, something traditional and yummy, as Korean cuisine is known to be one of the best in the world!

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Though you're not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. Your Site Director will walk you through some of the things to expect and reflect on your experiences abroad so that you can remember the highlights. Also enjoy one last delicious Korean meal before you go!

Program Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Seoul city tour

Seoul has the old & new, tradition & modernity, history & contemporary. Look down the feature of megacity having 10 million population, Seoul at Seoul Tower. Have a concept of Gangnam (South of Han River) and Gangbuk (North of Han River) by looking through the city riding on the chartered bus. You will rapidly soak into the city, seeing a lot of vivid places where people live.

Hanbok wearing experience

This unique cultural activity will have you looking and feeling like royalty. You'll don the handsome clothing worthy of 14th century nobility while strolling through Gyeongbokgung Palace like a prince or princess. Talk about awesome photo ops!

K-pop dance lesson

Did you know that K-pop is the third-largest export in Korea? You will enjoy the dance moves with English speaking instructor. Any K-pop songs and motions in mind? Just let the site director know it, and you will get it as your motion. This is one of the fun experiences you must do in South Korea!

Site Director

Tatum Shannon

Site Director - Seoul, South Korea

About:

I graduated from Florida State University with dual degrees in International Affairs and Chinese Language and Culture. After graduation, I received a Fulbright teaching grant to South Korea where I lived in Sejong City for about 2 years before moving to Seoul. I have taught students of all ages from elementary to college and worked with international students coming to the US and US students coming to Seoul! Currently, I am receiving my degree in International Area Studies at Seoul National University with a focus on China and South Korea. In addition to South Korea, have studied abroad in Dalian and Tianjin in China and Taipei in Taiwan!

Travel Tip:

Walk as much as you can! If you find a neighborhood you like, set out on foot and get lost down some side streets. Who knows what you could find – cute cafes, hidden restaurants, or local hotspots you would have never been able to find otherwise!

Your Support Staff

Britni Purcell

Program Enrollment Coordinator - South Korea & Japan

Travel Tip:

Find ways to connect with your host community – the language, everyday activities, common gathering places. You'll discover that you can gain the most genuine and life-long friendships just by trying to immerse yourself into the culture.I highly recommend learning some of the language, even a few phrases, before going abroad for an extended amount of time. Don't be afraid to mess up speaking – though you will likely say something wrong and hilarious (I've got too many instances in Korean to count), that's part of the process and the locals will definitely appreciate the genuine effort!

Alexandra Woolner

Director of International Operations

Travel Tip:

Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.

Kaylee Klinger

Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator

Travel Tip:

The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!

Serenah Quiroga

Advising & Communications Coordinator

Travel Tip:

Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.

Alumni Ambassadors

Dates & Prices

Additional Information:

As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

ADVISOR TIP:

Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

I knew I wanted to study abroad, particularly in Japan, because it was on my bucket list. Thanks to CIS, I was able to go to Tokyo! Even now, it is surreal to me that I got to go! I can't put it into words how much fun I had in Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of my time there, from walking around the bustling streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku, to going to class, eating delicious Japanese cuisine, and even going to the convenience store. Even the simplest things were incredibly fun to me. I was initially anxious about being homesick, my Japanese skills and traveling alone, but I'm happy to say that I very quickly made lovely, lifelong friends and was met with nothing but kindness from the locals. I learned not to let my worries get in the way of an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CIS Abroad. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Tokyo.

Semester in Seoul - Sogang University

Study with other motivated students in bustling Seoul

What to Expect

Highlights:

Learn More About This and Other Programs

Benjamin Schneider

Marissa Basile

Stephanie Hernandez

Deja McLean

Program Details

Sogang University

Course Information

Life in Seoul

Live the Local Life

Outdoor Parks

Cooking Class

Local Cultural Festivals

Learn to write Hangul

Visual & Performance Art

Sogang University Housing - Gonzaga Hall

Location

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

What's Included

Inclusions

Welcome & Orientation

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Program Excursions

Seoul city tour

Hanbok wearing experience

K-pop dance lesson

Site Director

Tatum Shannon

About:

Travel Tip:

Your Support Staff

Britni Purcell

Travel Tip:

Alexandra Woolner

Travel Tip:

Kaylee Klinger

Travel Tip:

Serenah Quiroga

Travel Tip:

Alumni Ambassadors

Dates & Prices

ADVISOR TIP:

Hear what students, interns, and alumni have to say

BOLDLY COMMITTED to providing the best experiences abroad

Kenae Turner

Elizabeth City State University

Joshua Grossman

Coastal Carolina University

Alisa Geise

Virginia Commonwealth University

Ashlyn Holmes

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Katlynn Orloski

Michigan State University

Amy Zochalski

Valparaiso University

Casey Ferguson

Kean University

Dean Handler

University of Central Florida

Lexington Whalen

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Bricen Williams

West Texas A&M University

Sada Chaudhury

Hunter College

Lauren Adams

William Woods University

Faith Johnson

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Alana Bergin

University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

Mary Claire Vaughan

University of Alabama -Tuscaloosa

Semester in Seoul -
Sogang University