Korea: Seoul - Undergraduate Studies, Korea University

Korea: Seoul - Undergraduate Studies, Korea University

Location
  • South Korea
    • Seoul
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory
Oct 22, 2024
Mar 18, 2026
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Seoul program offers courses that introduce you to the business, politics, economics, philosophy, religion, and language of Korea, one of the most rapidly developing nations in East Asia. Seoul is a city of opposites bustling with palaces, city gates, and temples next to government offices, embassies, theatres, shopping, and more. Seoul is also home to many IT corporations and is emerging as one of the most “wired” cities in the world, allowing you to experience the opportunities offered by the communications revolution.

Korea University (KU), founded in 1905, is widely acknowledged as one of the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious universities in Korea. Its reputation for quality is based on excellence in teaching, research, and service to Korean society. Eminent faculty, outstanding students, and internationally recognized research programs all contribute to Korea University’s academic fame.

Program Highlights

  • Explore historic and modern Korea, known as the Land of the Morning Calm because of its mild coastal and mountainous climate
  • Enjoy bike or ferry rides along the Han River, entertainment and shopping, and visits to local temples through the center of bustling Seoul
  • Choose from a diverse range of courses at Korea University while living in in one of the most “wired” cities in the world

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.
USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact 🌎

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.55
  • Support 3.7
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.25
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Andres
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing experience, but things here and there could be better

USAC was great for the most part, but this program is very hands off. If I didn't actively push to meet the people in my cohort, we would never cross paths. USAC provides guides for housing, insurance, visa, etc., but if you're not from a major country it becomes difficult to navigate the process. As far as housing goes, Korea University only hosts around 100 exchange students at the dorms, but there's over 1000 exchange students overall. Off-campus housing is "easy" to find, but most places don't have any reviews and are not good (mostly depends on landlord). Finding a nice off-campus place is very difficult. You should apply for an ARC as soon as you can. I requested an appointment the week I landed, and I got my ARC 3 months later. Without it, you can't ride the city bikes, travel outside Korea, order food, deliveries, and some other things. Classes for my major (senior level) were very challenging but I learned a lot and met a lot of good friends. My elective classes were very, very fun, I met some of my best friends in those. Overall, as I write this review, I'm tempted to drop everything and go back to Korea University.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make sure you file for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) ASAP! Even before you land in Korea. And do a lot of research on housing before you commit to anything!
Pros
  • Food and cafes everywhere!
  • Friendly students
  • major classes are challenging, electives are super fun
Cons
  • Without an ARC, you are very limited with what you can do as a foreigner
  • Housing was not good, it's difficult to find short-term renting with reviews
  • I want to go back :`(
31 people found this review helpful.
Britta
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Overseas South Korea (국민대)

Studying abroad was a lot of fun through my experience. I met a lot of lifelong friends, enjoyed the adventures, tried lots of good food and traveled. I would recommend any program where you can study abroad; however, make sure you look into it before you sign up. There were a lot of things lacking with the USAC program, like communication, such as things needed while staying in Korea, or paper documents you needed.

However, it was so fun. USAC is a great program that gives you a lot of opportunities, but it is very expensive.

Would I study abroad again? Yes

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
It wasn’t the most surprising, but it was beautiful to see how you were in the main city of Seoul and right behind the city where these huge mountains.
Pros
  • Friends
  • Food
  • Travel
Cons
  • Weather
  • Program
  • Expensive program
54 people found this review helpful.
Chela-Rose
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My study abroad Journey

Thanks to USAC, I was able to be invited to observe and experience a rich and lively culture in South Korea at Korea University. The program helped me every step of the way to make my time at Korea University a unique and educational one. I was able to witness cultural festivals, enjoy food from all over, and even build lasting friendships with my local students. I also got to study the economy and the impeachment of Ex-President Moon and the presidential re-election! Thank you USAC for helping my dream.

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment was being able to communicate with my taxi driver in Korean! But when he mentioned his son was from a rival school, I blurted out the Korea University chant against the rival school, " Yonsei Chickens!"~
Pros
  • Amazing culture
  • Awesome curriculum at school
  • Great food!
Cons
  • language barrier
  • Culture shock
  • Sometimes... the racism to darker skin foriengers
59 people found this review helpful.
Hailey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved it!

I had a great time studying abroad in Seoul! Being in the USAC program and taking the group flight meant that I met new friends from the beginning and had people to hang out with. Many of the girls I met ended up rooming on the same floor as me, and I could talk to them daily. I had a great time attending classes and exploring the city. I learned a lot about living in a big city and the city itself. I made many new friends along the way and experienced things like free music festivals that I would not have experienced at my home university. I cannot wait to go back to Seoul!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
My best friend and I had raw marinated craw and raw shrimp. I cannot say that I enjoyed it very much, but it was fun to try.
Pros
  • New friends
  • Good classes
  • Explored the city
Cons
  • Much more humid than at home
  • Wish I was there longer
65 people found this review helpful.
Kaitlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime opportunity abroad

Studying abroad was one of the best choices I ever made! It was my first time traveling abroad alone, and I do not regret a single second of it. I made so many new friends and tried so many new things. I also earned academic credit for my classes abroad. Those are moments that I will cherish forever. I still keep in contact with everyone I met during my journey. This opportunity truly widened my horizons and understanding of the world. No matter what program you choose, please go!! I promise it'll be worth it!

95 people found this review helpful.
Lindsay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A wonderful time

Seoul, South Korea was a blast! I highly recommend traveling there (on study abroad or otherwise) because of exciting places, the general safety, and the noteworthy food. Walking around new parts of the city, either alone or with friends, was my favorite part. Stopping to go to a random cute cafe was a daily occurrence. As an introvert, South Korea is also very introvert-friendly, and I loved people-watching and all the street performers. I experienced so much in so little time, and I am planning on traveling to South Korea again because I still didn't see all I wanted to see!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I'd bring an empty suitcase because I wanted to buy so many things!
Pros
  • Affordability
  • General Safety
  • Food Quality
116 people found this review helpful.
Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime opportunity!!

My experience with this program through USAC was amazing! I stayed in the dorms on campus with another USAC member. She and I as well as other participants in the program are all friends to this day! This was a great opportunity to explore Korean culture and experience a new lifestyle. We had Korean students that were our buddies in case we needed any help and that would give us recommendations for good restaurants or places to visit. We met with our buddies and other exchange students weekly at different restaurants to make friends and try traditional Korean dishes. This experience was once in a lifetime and I am so glad I got to embark on this journey! Thank you USAC!!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate many different types of dishes while in Korea but the most unfamiliar had to be raw octopus. It was only seasoned with sesame oil and because it is fresh, it is still moving for up to 20minutes.
Pros
  • Incredible history
  • Easy to make friends/communicate
  • Easy to learn how to travel within the country
Cons
  • Wasn’t enough time to do everything, wish I could’ve stayed longer!
  • Buying tickets for events can be hard without a Korean bank account
  • Their curriculum was built a little different than I was used to
128 people found this review helpful.
Esther
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wouldn't change a thing!!!

This program was life-changing for me! The USAC staff was very helpful during the preparation/application process so I could complete my application and course registration without stress.
Korea University was the right choice for me. The campus is beautiful, spacious, and clean. There is a vibrant student culture, many fun traditions, and tons of school spirit!
There were also many opportunities to make friends and connections. At KU, you are automatically enrolled in an international student club where you can meet people from all different countries and backgrounds (including Korean students). You are assigned a group in which your Korean student leaders will teach you KU traditions and Korean culture. You will have many opportunities to experience life as a Korean student.
For those who wish to improve their Korean ability, there is a Language Exchange program where you can be paired with a Korean student to meet with throughout the semester for language and cultural exchange. I had an incredible experience with this and made lots of progress with my Korean proficiency.
I mainly took Korean language courses. The professors were all very kind, engaging, and helpful. Classes were challenging, but not overwhelming. I was able to balance school and personal life and manage my coursework while still having time to travel and meet with friends.
There are also many cute cafes and delicious restaurants around campus. It's a lot of fun to discover new study spots and places to hang out with friends. It didn't take long before I felt right at home at Korea University, and I will always think of it as a second home.
I have grown so much and made many lasting friendships through this program, and I wouldn't change a thing.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of the Korea University Buddy Assistants (KUBA). You will automatically be enrolled in this program. It is an amazing way to make friends and to experience Korean culture. There are so many events and opportunities that you can participate in, and it's by far the easiest way to make connections and start to feel at home in during your time in Korea.
Pros
  • Rich Culture
  • Beautiful Campus
  • Delicious Food
Cons
  • Cultural Differences
  • Lots of Walking
  • Strict Class Attendance
126 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers