Winter Culture Study Abroad Programs in South Korea

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 honestly think studying abroad at Korea University was one of the best opportunities I have experienced! I was nervous before going, but I am so happy I went and got out of my comfort zone, which allowed me to become more independent. While in Seoul, I made amazing friends (who I still keep in touch with) and had tons of fun everyday both inside and outside of school. There was just so much to explore and I was never bored! I would totally go back again if I had the chance because it is such a great memory of mine.

As someone who had never been to Asia to start with. Studying and living in Seoul for a semester was a life changing experience. Meeting other international students from all over the world while also making new friends with the locals. The city of Seoul offers a wide variety of cultural activities, food, nightlife, and many more things to do for entertainment. I came back from my study abroad and still recommend it to my friends and fellow classmates. USAC also offered amazing guidance along the whole process of applying to arrival and even ongoing support while there. Great program and highly recommend to others.

I am SO happy that I got the chance to study abroad at Korea University! I was able to be immersed in a new culture and I got to experience a ton of fun things. I also made some good friends there which made my experience even better. I definitely became more independent through this program. Hopefully, I can go back to Seoul soon because I miss it a lot!

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 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 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 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!

Studying abroad in South Korea has left such a lasting impact on my life! I made so many friends, tried new food I never knew existed, and made a lot of memories. I am so grateful I got to have this opportunity and most importantly I am grateful for all the help and support from my home university, host university, and USAC. My semester at Korea University is already the highlight of my year. I'll forever cherish the city of Seoul!

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!

As a Mexican-American going overseas and breaking frontiers and patterns is hard. This was a great opportunity to grow as an individual. I had the best time of my life. I would recommend it to others and would say YES, over and over again! I will forever remember my time at Korea University.

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.

Living in Korea was an experience that became a part of me, and now that I’m away, I miss it more than I can explain. The country wasn’t just where I stayed it became my home. I miss the rhythm of my daily life there: the sound of the subway arriving, the smell of street food in the evenings, and the way the city never truly slept. Even the small routines, like late-night walks to the convenience store or grabbing a coffee on the way to class, felt special. What I miss most are the people and the connections I made. Sharing laughter over endless plates of Korean BBQ, warming up with hot soups in the winter, or simply hanging out in cozy cafés created memories that I carry with me every day. I also miss the feeling of discovery finding hidden alleyways, stumbling upon festivals, or traveling to the mountains and beaches that showed a completely different side of the country. Korea taught me independence, gave me unforgettable moments, and filled my heart with experiences I’ll treasure forever. Now, when I think back, it feels like a second home calling me back. A piece of me will always miss Korea.

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!!!

I had the best experience studying abroad in South Korea! USAC provided me with all the materials I needed in order to successfully complete this journey. I'm so happy I used their program and was able to have an experience of a lifetime!

I had the most fun time of my life. I was lucky enough to find a good friend group early on, so i didnt partake in a lot of planned events by the school/usac except for the field trips and activities i signed up for prior. Explore the city, drink 7/11 soju on the sidewalks instead of in bars/restaurants to save money, but be safe. Force yourself to be extroverted and reach out to make friends as early as possible. 5 weekends goes by faster than you could imagine.

Studying abroad in Seoul through the USAC program at Korea University was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. The friendships I built and the incredible places I explored helped shape me into who I am today. One of my favorite memories was attending a baseball game with friends as part of the Korea University activity schedule, where we got to experience the energy and culture of Korean sports firsthand. Traveling across the world with fellow USAC students made the journey even more special, and the connections I made continue to be a meaningful part of my life. Even now, I stay in touch with the amazing friends I met in Korea, cherishing the bond we created during our time there.