Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea with AIFS Abroad

I enjoyed every part of studying abroad in Seoul. AIFS made this experience special by having various group activities related to Korean culture. Thanks to the AIFS staff! I will always remember this time.

I never imagined that studying abroad could feel so personal, but joining a faculty-led AIFS program gave me the perfect balance of adventure and familiarity. I spent my Spring 2025 at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea, and the experience was everything I hoped for including personalized learning, a small and open-minded cohort, and a city that constantly amazed me. The AIFS staff were incredible. My directors were always available, whether I needed help navigating cultural differences or just someone to talk to. My dorm was a peaceful retreat: a single room with a kitchenette and private bathroom, ideal for winding down after very full days. Excursions like Namsan Tower and our trip to Busan weren’t just scenic, they were the moments that bonded my cohort as a group. I left Korea with lifelong friendships and a deeper understanding of myself. I gained confidence, independence, and a renewed passion for learning thanks to two professors who truly inspired me. My advice? Study abroad your way. FOMO is real, but don’t burn yourself out trying to do everything. You made it there and that’s already something to be proud of. AIFS Abroad gave me the structure and support to thrive, and I’d recommend it to anyone ready to grow beyond borders.

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I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted a program that felt supportive but also gave me the freedom to explore, and South Korea was the perfect fit. From the beginning, the staff made everything easy—they guided me through the application and pre-departure steps and were always quick to respond whenever I had questions. That level of support continued while I was abroad, which made the transition a lot smoother. The program itself was well-rounded. Housing was comfortable and in a good spot, and the excursions let me see parts of Korea I might have missed if I had gone on my own. I really appreciated the cultural activities too, since they gave me a deeper understanding of the country beyond just school. On top of that, I built some amazing friendships with other students in the program, which made the experience even better. Looking back, this program helped me grow more independent and confident, and it gave me skills that I know will carry into my career and life in general. I’d definitely recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone who wants both structure and adventure while studying abroad.

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I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted a program that felt supportive but also gave me the freedom to explore, and South Korea was the perfect fit. From the beginning, the staff made everything easy—they guided me through the application and pre-departure steps and were always quick to respond whenever I had questions. That level of support continued while I was abroad, which made the transition a lot smoother. The program itself was well-rounded. Housing was comfortable and in a good spot, and the excursions let me see parts of Korea I might have missed if I had gone on my own. I really appreciated the cultural activities too, since they gave me a deeper understanding of the country beyond just school. On top of that, I built some amazing friendships with other students in the program, which made the experience even better. Looking back, this program helped me grow more independent and confident, and it gave me skills that I know will carry into my career and life in general. I’d definitely recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone who wants both structure and adventure while studying abroad.

If I told myself a year ago, heck even 6 months ago, that I finally took the leap and traveled to South Korea-- I would think I was crazy. Going abroad seemed like a fairytale. It was so expensive, so unheard of in my family, my community. But I had decided that this would be my time, the quintessential summer to experience the world to the fullest. Since the pandemic, and even previous to it, I’ve wanted to see how other people live, what other cultures are like and the beauty of biomes divergent from the melting heat and clobbering humidity of my home. That spring semester of 2024 finally helped me determine where I wanted to go. Joining the Korean-pop club at my university showed me more of Korea than I had known before. I was a casual K-pop listener, but from witnessing the food, the historical landmarks, the cultural differences, it all seemed so unique and captivating. Getting on that plane was a long, nerve-wracking journey, but landing into a whole new continent where even the language written on the airport signs were different, was a complete culture shock. Jet lag was a tough monster to defeat, but after about a week of getting used to a new sleep routine, I had felt more energized and excited about being alive than ever. Even with the tough days, like preparing for an oral presentation in Korean language class, or traveling to a new area alone, I was still overjoyed with the idea that-- I’m literally in Korea right now! It was easy to get lonely being in a foreign country, not having any family or friends in the same time zone. But knowing other students in the AIFS program were going through the same thing, made me feel less alone. I created some amazing friendships, finding things in common with people I never would have met otherwise. Going on excursions with them to places like the famed N Seoul Tower, Everland theme park, and even taking weekend trips to Jeju Island, were moments I could never replace. In a similar note, being in the Sogang University community felt so comforting and safe. Besides being a gorgeous campus, the faculty were so accommodating and the professors were so curious and warm-hearted. I am going to greatly miss the natural atmosphere of Seoul, the expressiveness and kindness of Koreans, and seeing something new everyday that I wouldn’t be able to find in Florida. Visiting South Korea was just the push I needed to kickstart my traveling addiction; I can’t wait to go back and see what else the country has to offer.

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