CIEE College Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea

This is a very good program. This is my first time studying abroad and I already know that I will return to Korea to reach English because of this program. The staff was the most important part of my study abroad experience as they were available to me 24/7. They helped me even with issues I had that were unrelated to the program. 100% would recommend to friends and will be returning to Korea soon.

CIEE Study Abroad Review
I highly, highly, highly recommend the CIEE study abroad program! This program gave me the adventure that I yearned for for years! The program also immersed me into Korean culture on the first days of arriving in Seoul, South Korea. As an Academic Year Participant from 2017 to 2018, I have experienced traditional Hanok villages in Jeonju and Namwon, relaxed at a four-star hotel overlooking the hustle-and-bustle of Busan locals while being located ten minutes from Haeundae Beach, gone to the first island I have ever visited at Jeungdo, and so much more. My favorite of these excursions overall was taking the convenient KTX train to Jeungdo Island.
Two years before coming to Korea, the majority of what I watched were repeated episodes of my favorite variety show, “2 Days and 1 Night”. This variety show consists of members whom educate the viewer about the tourist attractions and history of South Korea and the natural beauty that this country is renowned for. This show was one of the many reasons why I came to Korea. Where I am from, there is very little entertaining activities to do. If I wanted to travel, it would require days of planning and also very long distances to cross. “2 Days and 1 Night” had me longing for adventurous locations to experience. Jeungdo Island was actually advertised on the show. The CIEE program gave me this opportunity in an effortless and stressless manner. I was able to experience much of what the members had, such as, walking through the ocean waters bare-foot, scraping salt and eating salt ice cream, hunting for seashells, slipping and sliding on the mud flats while the ocean crabs watched me fall, and tasting the organic, fresh, and healthy foods of the island. I never ate so many unique seaweed, which was surprisingly delicious!
Instead of wishing to experience these activities through a laptop screen from videos on Youtube, CIEE gave me this rare opportunity to take part in the activities in person that my favorite “2 Days and 1 Night” members introduced me to. It will be very difficult to leave South Korea because of its many conveniences and popular attractions, but I know that one day I will return again to continue the adventures that come with living here in Korea. CIEE gave me a sneak-peek of what is yet to come and I thank each person and the caring and organized staff who took part in giving me this rare opportunity. Thank you so much CIEE!!!
For future participants, I advise to take the leap and study abroad! The process getting there many be intimidating, but all that you learn, whether good or bad, is definitely worth it. Going abroad will teach you more about yourself as well as the people and culture of your host country. Please do not miss this adventurous and life changing opportunity!

CIEE was a great study abroad program. It had different events to get the us engaged in the Korean culture. They took us on different excursions to see other parts of South Korea other than Seoul. And gave us tours of places like the DMZ. Through CIEE we got to meet other South Korean students as well and got to see how being a student in South Korea is different than in the US. The university that CIEE connected us with was also very nice. It was nice to be in one of the highlights of Seoul!

Overall, the program was great and I would receommend this program for anyone that wants to study abroad! It makes things much easier and much more convenient!

CIEE was the reason it was so easy to adjust to going abroad. There is an orientation that starts over a week before classes begin and it gives you the opportunity to explore with their guidance of the staff, learn about the culture before you settle in, and get comfortable with your new surroundings. Throughout the semester, there are continuously activities being planned that help you to get know your community and there are even excursions that provide a refreshing look at the country outside of the city. Whenever issues or questions arise, I always trusted the staff to assist with their full attention, so I never felt unsafe or lost since their support was always readily available. I had an amazing time going abroad and it was all the more enriching and fulfilling because of CIEE.

Studying in Korea was the greatest experience of my life and going with CIEE only made it better. Non-CIEE international students often expressed jealousy that our program allowed us to be close to one another and provided us with an easy network to make friends with which to go on our adventures abroad. The staff is extremely helpful and supportive and they always respond quickly, especially when we need help with stressful situations (such as somehow managing to lose your entire purse while out clubbing). Academically, the coursework wasn't too difficult in comparison to my home university, with the exception of Intensive Korean Language--which is, indeed, "intensive." Thankfully, CIEE has a great optional study group for its students to help with language skills. Yonsei is beautiful (to the extent that many reality shows and tv dramas actually film on our campus!) and the chances to participate in clubs and other student activities are seemingly endless. CIEE, of course, organizes amazing cultural activities and volunteer opportunities which allow you to get the most out of your time abroad. All in all, I would definitely recommend studying in Korea--especially if you have the chance to do so with all of the advantages that CIEE has to offer.

I truly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning more about Korean culture. The CIEE Seoul program introduces you to many aspecte of the culture over the course of the summer program. You'll spend several days before classes start traveling around South Korea, exploring historical sights and trying new and different foods. And when classes start, you'll notice you already have an enormous group of friends to call when you need anything. CIEE Seoul allows you to make lifelong friends from both America and from Seoul. My favorite aspect of the CIEE program was the opportunity to make close connections to both the staff and the interns (Seoulmates <3).

I traveled to Korea because I wanted to escape where I was.
When I travel abroad, I reinvent myself. I start with a new wallet. Move onto new bags, new notebooks, new stationery, new clothes, maybe even a new personality.
People always say the journey is very important, and others claim that it may be more important than the destination. I tend to disagree to some extent. If you have a bad destination your journey will never be that valuable.
Seoul was a location I chose with a purpose. It is dear to my heart. The interesting thing is that I teeter back and forth a lot between being out going and staying to myself. However, Seoul was a destination that made me want to go out, and the staff and people at CIEE drew out parts of me that I never thought about.
It's like this. I've always wanted to go to Korea, learn Korean, and travel by myself and answer to no one. This destination meant that I was looking for answers about myself. Arriving in Korea, CIEE provided everything to make that search possible. They provided the necessary structure to make me feel comfortable, while allowing me to move about and do what it is I wanted to do.
The journey that resulted was one where it was only possible because of CIEE. It was nice to go with a program because the program gave you a reason to talk with the people that came with you. It helped you branch out if you needed the extra comfort. CIEE however also allowed you to do what it was you need to do. If you wanted to go off by yourself to make friends outside of the program, you would not have been held back. It was truly a free feeling experience.

I would recommend the program highly. The staff at CIEE Korea truly does nothing besides provide a great experience.

Studying abroad in Seoul was an absolutely incredible experience. The host university (Yonsei) is one of the top schools in Korea and offers a huge selection of classes in English, so finding courses suited for your major shouldn't be difficult. Seoul itself is a dynamic city where you can experience Korea's rich cultural history and at the same time see some of the most cutting edge technology and development in the world. The people there are so friendly and will often go out of their way to help you if you are lost or have any questions, and the food is fantastic! While living there, you will be able to broaden your understanding of not only Korea, but also the rest of the world. Also, the intensive Korean language classes offered through Yonsei will greatly improve your Korean no matter what level you're starting at.

So why choose CIEE's program?
Studying through CIEE's Seoul program will make your experience in Korea so much more memorable. The program includes multiple trips to places outside of Seoul so that you can experience other parts of Korea too. The program coordinators also organize weekly and monthly events like volunteering and field trips within Seoul, taking you places that most other exchange students don't have the chance to go. These are optional, but taking advantage of these opportunities will help you make the most of your time there.

From the start CIEE feels like a family; you will get to know the other students in your program and make friendships that last even after you return home, and the program coordinators are some of the nicest and most genuinely caring people I have ever met. They really do go above and beyond to make your stay in Seoul great, and are always available to help you whenever you need. Also, CIEE helps you with a lot of the technical parts of moving to a new country: getting a visa, alien registration card, housing, medical, etc. I know some students who did exchange outside of CIEE and had to do all this themselves, and these things could be very difficult for them. With CIEE these issues were never a problem. Basically, CIEE streamlines your whole experience and organizes an extensive program that will provide you with the adventure of a lifetime.
I would highly recommend studying abroad in Korea, and if you do, CIEE is definitely the way to go!