Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in South Korea

I think that this program is an accessible way for students to venture outside of their comfort zone in both their taste pallet and social interactions. In this program you will learn to make friends with people you might not encounter on a day to day basis.

Program is well structured and the pre orientation is super helpful, specially because going to a new country can feel overwhelming so the guide made it easier. The staff is very attentive to our needs and they host events and day trips to help us be involved in our new city

I am super grateful for the support from both institutions in making the process as smooth as possible from departure to arrival and departing again. USACs preparation was surely a gift, Kookmin’s integration and support was helpful, and staff from both sides helped as much as they could!

I enjoyed my study abroad program! I felt my time there allowed me to integrate into the culture to the point that I truly saw the local culture rather than what people see as a tourist. It showed me that I can adapt quickly to assimilate the customs of the community while also still retaining my independence and sense of self. Coming back to the U.S., I came back with a better understanding of my personal identity and how different practices around the world are similar and different to where I live. This program helped me see ways I can incorporate different cultural perspectives in my career advancement and knowledge. I highly recommend this program to people that want to challenge themselves!

I would likely recommend CIEE study abroad to a friend because all the staff in the program were very helpful and made it easy to transition to a different country's environment. I was also able to explore all the places that I wanted to while taking classes and doing an internship, which was amazing!

Studying in South Korea was truly life changing! It was my first time being away from home, so I was nervous to go to a place where I knew no one. But the friends I made and experiences I had were so life altering.

I made friends from different countries, tried to learn a new language, experienced life in a different country, & experienced a different academic environment. Though all I can do is order food in Korean, it was a good language immersion. Also I felt a bit lonely being the only Christian from my country, I did get to attend a few church services.

I chose Seoul as I wanted to experience somewhere new and unfamiliar. I wanted to challenge myself by visiting somewhere that would be out of my comfort zone, as I felt, and still feel, that it is the only way you can truly grow as a person. I have a deep love for history and culture, so being able to live in a country and truly immerse myself in this new, mysterious way of life helped me understand why I chose this city. I made sure I chose courses that aligned with both my degree and my personal interests. USAC and Yonsei University gave me the opportunity to learn about Philosophy in East Asian Culture, where we delve into centuries-old traditions throughout multiple countries, learning how they shaped the way we live in the modern day. This inspired me to get first-hand experience with these topics. I went and visited different traditional and spiritual sites all around the country, and even in other countries like Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. I marched the treacherous hike through the mountains of Hong Kong to visit the Buddha statue and learn about its history. I travelled all through the rural towns around Mount Fuji to understand their way of living and traditions. I had a life-changing experience that I would never trade for anything. The only thing that I wish were different was the availability of courses. I understand that there aren't many people who can teach a class in English, so I am not torn over this, but I was super excited to take a Korean Fashion and Sustainability course that I had to unfortunately drop out of after realizing I made the mistake of signing up for a Korean spoken course offered to exchange students. Overall, I had amazing experiences, met some truly outstanding people that I am fortunate enough to call my friends, and ate a lot (and I mean a lot) of delicious food! I would totally recommend studying at Yonsei to anyone whos on the fence about going.

I chose to go to Gwangju for two reasons: tuition was cheaper for an entire year compared to a single semester in Seoul, and I wanted greater language immersion and an authentic cultural experience. It was worth it in every way for me! Staying in Korea for a year helped me reach my goal of becoming conversational in Korean, and living in a less-touristy city gave me more opportunities to practice the language, meet locals, and experience authentic Korean culture. While there were some challenges because of living in a less-touristy city, every one of them was worth it.

I had an amazing time studying at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. USAC was very helpful with pre departure preparation and helping me figure out visa, immigration and all travel requirements. Even after I returned, I never had to worry about transcripts- they had all that sorted quickly and all my credits transferred to my home university. South Korea was amazing, I made amazing friendships, ate tons of food, got to visit many other cities (+ Japan!) and wore a hanbok too- 10/10!!

I had an amazing time studying at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. USAC was very helpful with pre departure preparation and helping me figure out visa, immigration and all travel requirements. Even after I returned, I never had to worry about transcripts- they had all that sorted quickly and all my credits transferred to my home university. South Korea was amazing, I made amazing friendships, ate tons of food, got to visit many other cities (+ Japan!) and wore a hanbok too- 10/10!!

I would likely recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend, peer anyone I know who's interested in going. I really enjoyed it overall and all the opportunities it gave us to explore more of Korean culture.

I had the wonderful opportunity to study an academic year abroad at Yonsei University! I know there's a general impression of study abroad where people see it as overhyped and way too expensive. I had this same idea of study abroad before I started my program, but it really proved me wrong. I had incredible experiences, met life-long friends, and made memories that'll I'll cherish forever! As an out of state student whose tuition is covered by FAFSA grants and loans I was really scared that to go abroad I might have to take out additional loans, but USAC's program tuition was really reasonable and the process was very straightforward, so I was really stressing more than I needed to! Study abroad was by far the best decision I've made in my college career, but I know that it took me awhile to get over my own skepticism. So, all I'll say is you really will never know until you try it for yourself!

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

I spent my spring 2025 semester in Yeosu! For the first time in my life I was going out into the world alone and I wouldn’t have done it without USAC! I chose the Korean intensive program in Yeosu with Chonnam National University and I had so much fun and definitely improved my Korean skills! At the beginning of the program i could barely speak in Korean but by the end of the program I was talking with the elders on the streets in Seoul! I’m very proud of how much I’ve grown in Yeosu. The coordinators Choi Eunyoung and Ma Gahee were the best! Through everything they helped from health insurance to just adapting to the new environment.

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.

My time abroad in Seoul, South Korea, was the best experience I've ever had. Studying abroad was my first time living on my own and in a different country. I felt a mix of anxiety and excitement when I first left, but within the first week at Yonsei, I knew I had made the right decision. I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture and meet people from all over the world. Studying abroad was the best experience, and I would encourage everyone to try it at least once!

I had such an amazing experience at Yonsei University making many new friendships from around the world to having many new life experiences in a different country. I wouldn’t change my time abroad for anything in the world and I would 100% do it again if I could. I would definitely recommend going in the Spring semester as I felt like there was more events and such offered during this time.

I had a fun time in Korea! The food was amazing, the people were nice, and I felt that I got to experience a completely new life that I never thought I'd experience. I would say that the classes were a bit hard and I didn't really feel like I got a lot of support or check-ins during the semester from staff, but otherwise the experience was great.

I had the greatest opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, to study at Yonsei University for 6 weeks! I experienced taking a class that was in full Korean to study the language, tried new cultural foods, and even got to wear a traditional hanbok to enter a historical palace. I would 100% do this trip over and over again! You would have the best summer of your life! Make sure to be open to new experiences, new sights, and new people. Embrace the awkwardness and have fun!!!