CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Diplomacy & Government in East Asia

Tensions in East Asia continue to make headlines. This traveling program offers you a unique chance to gain perspective on the region’s complex history and present-day challenges. Start in Seoul, engaging in debates on current issues. Then, see it all culminate in a final mock negotiation in Taipei with other Global Navigators—putting your new knowledge and debating skills to the test!

Meet experts and deepen your understanding of how diverse groups resolve conflicts. Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. Tour the offices of political parties and diplomats in Taipei. Explore the long-term diplomatic actions taken to keep the region peaceful and stable.

Soak in the variety each city offers, too—from the the neon-lit streets and ancient palaces of Seoul to the lush gardens and skyscrapers of Taipei. On excursions, visit the city of Gwangju, regarded as a vanguard of the nation’s democracy, and travel to Taiwan’s Kinmen Island. In these two countries, you’ll encounter distinct cultures, languages, and flavors and meet local teens to expand your views on diplomacy and sustaining peace.