Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea with WorldStrides
Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea with WorldStrides
Location
  • South Korea
    • Seoul
Term
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory
Language
English

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Meals
Oct 01, 2026
165 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, a dynamic global city where ancient traditions and cutting-edge innovation come together. Explore royal palaces, Buddhist temples, modern skyscrapers, and a thriving cultural scene while experiencing life in one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. With a vibrant student atmosphere and world-class public transportation, Seoul offers endless opportunities for discovery.

From the moment you land to the day you leave, our team is here for you. You’ll be greeted at the airport and supported by our experienced on-site staff throughout your stay. Whether you need help navigating life abroad or just want local recommendations, we’re here to ensure your experience is safe, supported, and unforgettable. We’ll help you make the most of your time abroad with immersive excursions and interactive activities throughout your program.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students praise the program’s strong support, smooth logistics, and helpful staff, which ease cultural adjustment and visa processes.

Program Highlights

  • WorldStrides Higher Ed awards over 2.4 million dollars per year in scholarships and grants.
  • Korea and Yonsei University are members of the prestigious group of SKY universities in Korea, like the Ivy League in the U.S.
  • WorldStrides hosts an in-depth orientation when you arrive to help you navigate the city, academic culture, and your new home – all included in your program.
  • Seoul is known for its impressive skyline. The cityscape showcases a blend of traditional Korean architecture and contemporary high-rise buildings.
  • WorldStrides offers 24/7 emergency support, international insurance, local on-site teams, and more.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Community and Impact Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations.
Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Community and Impact Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations.
WorldStrides is devoted to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.
We are dedicated to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform WorldStrides of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process.

Impact 🌎

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.
WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Popular Programs

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sogang university

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sejong university

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konkuk uni

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Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 63 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 11.11%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.45
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 63 reviews
Sanette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loveeee

I absolutely loved my time in Seoul. It was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I miss Asia everyday. My program directors were amazing and was always there when I needed something. We also had fun trips and activities to do. Even outside of the program there was always something going on in Seoul for you to go to free or paid. Seoul is a beautiful city full of rich culture. Everyone should come visit South Korea at least once in their life! The people here are so kind and welcoming!!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
What surprised me was how I was able to get around with little to no Korean. Since I didn’t take a Korean class I only knew some phrases and with a translator app and gestures I was able to communicate well with Koreans that didn’t speak English. So don’t feel discouraged if you’re not taking a Korean class or you only know a little I survived 4 months perfectly
Pros
  • Nice people
  • Transportation isn’t too hard once you get the hang of it it’s easy to get around
  • Extremely safe
What other participants should know
  • Get stares as a foreigner
  • Train ends at 12 so plan your nights accordingly
17 people found this review helpful.
Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The trip that healed my Seoul.

I loved this trip because it connected me with people from all over the world, and now I have friends in so many different places. I also took a traditional Korean fan dancing class while I was there. It was so interesting to learn a dance from a different culture and perform it for people. I was a bit intimidated by the train system when I first got there, but I got the hang of it very quickly. Trying new food was another intimidating but great experience. I found some of my new favorite dishes in Seoul. Overall, I had such an amazing experience, and I would 100% do it again.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is not to underestimate how hot Seoul is in the summertime. Pack the right clothes for the weather, and invest in a hand fan 100%.
Pros
  • New Friends
  • New Food
  • Affordable
What other participants should know
  • Very hot
  • It was somewhat difficult to find food that wasn't spicy
  • You can only reload or train card with cash
28 people found this review helpful.
Annika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad at Korea University

I had an absolutely wonderful experience studying abroad in South Korea for the summer of 2026. I highly recommend it to students looking to explore a completely new way of life, including meals, transportation, language, history, and so much more. My favorite part of the trip was traveling to Jeju Island or Busan for the weekend. My friends and I made so many memories playing on the beach, exploring new cities, eating delicious meals, and doing all the fun touristy things along with traditional activities locals did!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The unfamiliar thing I ate while in South Korea was a type of shellfish that I wish I could remember the name of! It was charred and reminded me of a scallop, but on a much larger scale, and it was quite delicious!
Pros
  • Transportation
  • USD conversion rate
  • Dormitory
What other participants should know
  • Weather
  • Lack of AC
  • Constant cigarette smell
29 people found this review helpful.
Leah Osei Profile Picture
Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Experience!!

I went abroad to Korea with Worldstrides at first not knowing anyone, but because of how involved Worldstrides was with my experience, especially the first month of being in Korea, I was able to meet other people in my program and make friends fast. Also, all the people in our program got to live in on-campus housing, which was super convenient and another great way to meet people. While some of my friends had to directly apply for dorm housing through Korea University, Worldstrides did all of that for us which was very hassle-free too! While in Korea, there was so much to do and explore, including a guided Busan trip hosted by Worldstrides which was free (price was included with overall cost) and it was such a fun and unforgettable experience!! Overall, I loved being abroad with this program, and we got to do so many fun activities. In general, I loved living in Korea for 5 months and will definitely be back soon!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do as many group activities as possible, especially if you are coming abroad alone. It is so important to form connections and friendships when spending months living in a different continent with a different language. Make friends even if it may be nerve wracking, it's definitely worth it.
Pros
  • Program-led excursions
  • On campus housing
  • Great communication with program directors
What other participants should know
  • Long process with approvals and waiting for forms for abroad
53 people found this review helpful.
Brittany
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Korea University (Seoul, Korea) Semester Abroad

TEAN was the perfect choice for my first time leaving the country. They made the entire process smooth and guided you along the way on zoom for applying for a visa and registering in courses. It made the entire process stress free--I couldn't recommend them enough!

My time in Korea was spent traveling every weekend, and I really feel like I got the most out of my 4.5 months there and in turn became extremely confident planning trips. Both program coordinators Kakao talk IDs' were available, and they were always available to give recommendations and would respond fast. The on-campus housing in the Anam international dorm was clean and had updated facilities. The downstairs also had a kitchen you could store food in. As for academics, my teachers were very kind. I would recommend going to office hours for any non Korean courses you take because it makes understanding the grading easier. They were always willing to work with me!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you have the choice to do the Tokyo excursion, do it! I really enjoyed my time in Japan, and they planned the entire trip. It was a jam packed weekend, but everyone was satisfied with what we accomplished in a short time.
Pros
  • On campus housing
  • Help with entering the country
What other participants should know
  • No travel accommodation to the airport at the end of the trip
110 people found this review helpful.
Philip
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEAN Seoul Review

Before coming to Korea, I was a picky eater. However, given a unique situation and a positive mindset towards new experiences, I tried new foods and enjoyed eating seafood for the first time.
If you're unsure about studying abroad in Korea, you should go for it and enjoy the experience of being in a new country. I explored a new culture and ate fresh foods I would never find in the US for a lower price. I recommend checking out night markets, new districts, and social media to find hidden restaurants serving unique foods. Overall, this program has provided me with the opportunity to discover new things and given me an experience that I will never forget.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was a moving octopus. The tentacles were served on a bed of beef tartare, and when the dish came out, the tentacles were still moving around. When eating it, the tentacles would grab onto the inside of my mouth, and it was a weird experience. Despite this, I would say this was my favorite dish during my time in Korea and was the most memorable thing I ate.
Pros
  • New food
  • New friends
  • Interesting classes
What other participants should know
  • Busy schedule
  • Difficulty navigating the first week
  • Not enough time abroad
167 people found this review helpful.
Ogechi
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An eye-opening abroad experience!

Participating in the Korea University Summer Program was one of the best life decisions I've ever made. For one, this experience made me more independent and self-confident. Stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things and navigate through many obstacles such as language barriers and culture shocks allowed me to grow proud of myself and be more confident that I can accomplish more in my future travel journeys. The cultural activities hosted both by TEAN and Korea University made the trip even more special. Some activities include a weekend trip to Busan, a day trip to Lotte World, and attending a baseball game with other students. All the activities I engaged in allowed me to embrace Korean culture and learn about its history in a non-intimidating way. Making connections with different types of people was also a highlight of this experience. I made connections and new friendships with Korean locals and students of different cultural backgrounds. They allowed me to develop connections with Korean locals and other abroad students. Everyone I met along the way was super welcoming and made my study abroad journey even more exciting. If you’re looking for a summer or a short-term study abroad program, I highly recommend this one!

Pros
  • So many cultural excursions!
  • Nightlife
  • Affordable costs
What other participants should know
  • Got sick a lot
  • Faced some discrimination
  • Very steep hills...
187 people found this review helpful.
Betty
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Summer Ever

I had the best summer studying Abroad at Hanyang University through TEAN. I met excellent students from across the US who participated, and they made my experience wholesome. I never felt alone since I had kept company with them. Also, the onsite team were amazing. Euisoo, Hwang, and Chan ensured that we lacked nothing. They were a text away and supported us throughout the program. They also sent out any weather notices or alerts, which I found super helpful. TEAN and Hanyang University's immersive cultural activities allowed me to engage with Korea's traditions and lifestyle. The highlight of my study abroad experience was my classes. I took a "Studies of Korean Society and Culture" class, and I encourage anyone studying at Hanyang University to enroll in this course. It was very insightful; there were lectures and discussions of ancient and modern Korea, among other topics. It allowed me to view Korea objectively and understand why things worked as they did. Also, I loved getting crafty in my ceramics class. That was fun. I am grateful to TEAN for the best summer ever.

What other participants should know
  • The program was short
170 people found this review helpful.

Community Questions

In Seoul, I would say that quite a large amount of people can understand and speak at least a little English. In popular areas with heavy foot traffic like Hongdae, Myeongdong, itaewon and Dongdaemun you should be ok to use English because they get a lot of foreigners there. At Korea University in Anam since there are a lot of university students that had to study English back in high school and...

In Seoul, I would say that quite a large amount of people can understand and speak at least a little English. In popular areas with heavy foot traffic like Hongdae, Myeongdong, itaewon and Dongdaemun you should be ok to use English because they get a lot of foreigners there. At Korea University in Anam since there are a lot of university students that had to study English back in high school and...