Culture Study Abroad Programs in Seoul, 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 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 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!

Korea quite literally had to be the best experience of my life, not only was it so thrilling and exciting to become immersed in a new country. Even with all the challenges, I had a lot of time to self-reflect, and I grew a lot. I've become more confident, more independent, more reliable, and I truly value what I have. Being in Korea helped me better myself hoenstly, and i also made so many wonderful friendships out of it that i will forever cherish for the rest of my life, weather it was us going out ot eat or going to to enjoy the nightlife or a movie night or maybe even just debunking the night being able to form a bond with some absoulte amazing epople was absouletely my favorite part of being in Korea.

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!

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.

I had the opportunity to study abroad in both Japan and South Korea through CIS Abroad, and the two experiences were very different. 🇯🇵 Japan (J.F. Oberlin University) – ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ The sustainability class at J.F. Oberlin was excellent—engaging, informative, and definitely a highlight of the trip. However, there were several downsides: our housing was an hour from campus, no transportation stipend was provided, and CIS staff on-site were not very helpful, especially when I needed a TB skin test (which was not mentioned before the trip). The hotel conditions were poor, and overall, the experience felt disorganized. 🇰🇷 South Korea (Sogang University) – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10) South Korea was amazing from the moment we arrived. The CIS staff greeted us at the airport, brought us to our dorms (right next to our classrooms!), and gave a proper orientation along with Sogang University. We got welcome kits, participated in fun group activities (including a night at the beach!), and were surrounded by Seoul’s top attractions. Free food from both CIS and Sogang was a huge plus. The entire experience was well-organized, fun, and immersive.

On this program made amazing friends and memories that I will hold close to my heart. I loved the school in Japan as well as in Korea. Professors were always very helpful and understanding. The program leaders were not always the most helpful they tried their best but felt they were lost half the time. I would recommend 10/10 just be ready to also be flexaible and be able to embrace change .

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!

From the moment I learned about study abroad, I knew I wanted to participate in a program once I started college. The opportunity to not just travel to another part of the world but learn and earn credits while doing so was incredibly appealing. When I learned about the CIS Abroad Summer in Asia - Japan & South Korea program, I immediately applied, since visiting Japan was on my bucket list. Thankfully, I was accepted into the two-month program, which resulted in one of the best summers of my life. I met so many unique, smart, and kind people - some of whom I still keep in touch with today! | experienced new traditions, activities, music, and fashion; tried new foods and navigated my way around using public transportation. Studying abroad also helped me gain new knowledge, not only at the academic level, but on personal one as well. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and see the world through a different global perspective.

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.