Arts + Sciences

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

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Tentative Dates

Aug 22 - Dec 20, 2024

17 weeks

Costs

$18,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

April 1, 2024

Apply Now

Dates

TBD

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Dates

Aug 24 - Dec 22, 2023

17 weeks

Costs

$20,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Dates

Aug 24, 2023 - Jun 22, 2024

43 weeks

Costs

$38,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Learn more about scholarships

CIEE’s Arts and Sciences program is designed for students to learn at a top-ranked Korean university and experience everyday life in Seoul – a World Design Capital and the center of popular culture featuring the fastest internet in the world. Select from courses taught in either English or Korean at our partner school, Yonsei University, as well as CIEE Seoul across a wide array of subjects, including Korean language, architecture, engineering, computer science, business, international relations, and history. You can also make strides in your language learning by volunteering in the community or practicing with Korean language buddies from the university. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.

Becoming a Global Citizen in Seoul
- Chase Engel, Vassar College
Becoming a Global Citizen in Seoul
CIEE students take a K-Pop class with Negative Motion in Seoul, led by a renowned choreographer

CIEE students take a K-Pop class with Negative Motion in Seoul, led by a renowned choreographer

See More On:

Unique Experiences

Select from 1000

courses in English across many disciplines including STEM; opt to boost language skills and take Korean taught at all levels

Experience Korean life

and spend a weekend with a local family (Covid permitting)

Make instant Korean friends

with the CIEE Seoul Mates program

UNESCO World Heritage sites

3 M

international residents

123

floors in Lotte World Tower, Seoul’s tallest building

Your Destination

Packed with people, it’s no wonder Seoul is the capital and largest city in South Korea. A vibrant business and financial hub, Seoul also brims with culture, with more than 100 museums, numerous religious monuments, parks, markets, festivals, sports teams, and the Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces. The mighty Han River runs through the city, and rugged mountains loom in the distance.  

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Seoul.

The Culture

Excursions & Activities

Visit ancient temples, museums, and historic sites.
See the notorious Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Relish the natural beauty of a national park.
Get a taste of family life with a short homestay of one or two nights. Visit Nami Island, a half-moon shaped island that is popular with tourists all year round
Tour ancient palaces while wearing a hanbok, traditional Korean costume
Enjoy CIEE K-pop/ Indie Concerts

roller skating abroad seoul study abroad

CIEE Seoul Mates

Connect with local Korean students through our Seoul Mates program. Get to know the city, language, culture, and customs with the help of students trained by CIEE to help with orientation, organize social events, host workshops, and more.

seoul jump rope abroad study abroad ciee

Projects

Volunteer. Show appreciation while you connect with members of local communities.
Get to know the city, language, culture, and customs with the help of students trained by CIEE to help with orientation, organize social events, host workshops, and more.
University clubs. Join one of the many clubs and service groups open to international students. Options include music, dance, art, photography, martial arts, hiking, sports, service groups, and many more.

Program Blogs

The Korean Clubbing Culture I Have Experienced

By Nicolas H.

After a long semester and clubbing some here and there, this is my opinion on the "Club Culture" In Korea

A Tropical Cafe in the Middle of Seoul? Let's Talk About it

By Perla D.

If you're looking for an escape from the city then this cafe is perfect for you.

Starting to Dance With No Prior Experience in South Korea

By Nicolas H.

I started to dance when I got to this country, It has been really fun.

What People are Saying

"I had a fantastic time and the CIEE Seoul in staff were so attentive and helpful at all times. They were like my family here while on study abroad. I absolutely love this program and I think it's worth every cent."

Aaliyah A., Howard University
"CIEE did all the hard work of getting to the country and they did a great job of integrating us into daily life in Korea. The staff are very friendly and more than willing to help CIEE participants with anything."

Carrie L., Belmont University
"The experience has been life changing, especially with the help of CIEE in making this so much smoother!"

Danielle H., Howard University
"CIEE provides a lot of on site support that really helps students get aclimated to living in a new country, and helped ease some of the anxiety and fears that I had when I first arrived"

Heba M., Georgetown University

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Seoul offers diverse housing options to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. From twin rooms on campus to single rooms off campus, your accommodation preferences will be met. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.

Standard Housing: Includes a twin room in a dorm on campus. With separate floors for men and women, rooms house two students and have private baths. There are lounges, a seminar room, and study rooms as well as a fitness center, shared kitchen, and laundry facilities. A convenience store, food court, and other services are located on the premises. Internet access is provided. 

Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room in a residence hall off campus under 30 minutes from CIEE Seoul. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.

A note: Housing is on a first-come, first-served basis. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.

Meals

Meals are not included in the program fee and are students’ responsibility. Students can eat at the dorm food court, campus cafeterias, snack bars, and restaurants throughout Seoul. Students can also use the dorm kitchen to prepare meals.

Standard Housing

Double room

Standard Housing

Double room

Select Housing

Single room

Select Housing

Single room

Academics

A special in-depth orientation and extracurricular program helps students get to know the country, along with 16 weeks of courses in English and Korean at Yonsei University. A typical course load at Yonsei University is four or five courses with one having a Korea-related focus. All courses are taught by Yonsei University faculty except for Intercultural Communication and Leadership, which is taught by CIEE staff.

Yonsei University is the most prestigious private institution of higher education in South Korea with 18 graduate schools, 21 colleges, and a student population of more than 30,000, including more than 14,000 students from 25 countries. The large, beautiful campus offers superior athletic facilities, including a fitness center, pool, gym, and basketball and tennis courts.

CIEE Seoul is conveniently located on the Sinchon campus of Yonsei University, 20 minutes from downtown Seoul.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program and show two completed semesters on official transcripts at time of CIEE application deadline. For the spring and fall semester programs, Yonsei University does not allow students enrolled in 2-year programs. Transfer students must show previous institution transcripts and one completed semester on official transcript from the current institution with a 2.5 GPA at time of CIEE application deadline. Previous transcripts and the current transcript must be 2.5 or above.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students enroll in 4-5 Yonsei University/CIEE elective courses.

Program Credit

Total credit range: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
Intensive Korean language courses: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits; 160 contact hours
Yonsei University courses: 1-3 U.S. semester/1.5-4.5 quarter credits; 16-48 contact hours

Academic Culture

Yonsei University has a strict course attendance policy: students who are absent for more than one-third of the semester are issued an “F” regardless of achievement. Some professors may have stricter rules. The Korean Language Institute, through which the 6-credit Korean language courses are taught, has stricter policies in which a student cannot be absent for more than 20 percent of the course or they will not receive a passing grade.

Class Format

Yonsei University classes include both seminar and lecture formats. Some include excursions that relate to the course subjects. Students can take classes designed for only international students or classes alongside local students by enrolling in courses offered by a variety of departments and colleges including engineering, science, and business administration, though some courses may have prerequisites and/or restrictions (e.g. business administration courses are restricted to business majors).

Students with near-native Korean language skills have many more options, provided they have university-level Korean comprehension. Students wishing to study Korean language can choose to take an intensive 6-credit course or a less intensive 3-credit course.

Grading

Assessment using letter grades is based on attendance, exams, quizzes, presentations, and papers. Attendance is critical and directly affects grades (see below).

Language of Instruction

English and Korean

Course Information

One elective course must have a Korea-related focus.

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course COMM 3301 KSEO: Intercultural Communication and Leadership

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course COMM 3301 KSEO: Intercultural Communication and Leadership

Language English

Semester Credit 3

YONSEI UNIVERSITY COURSES

Yonsei University courses are taught in English and available to international students. The following is a representative sample of their extensive course offering. Not all courses are offered every term. The final list of semester-specific Yonsei University course offerings is made available about a month prior to the start of each semester. However, students can get an idea of the courses that will be available by browsing prior terms in the university’s online course catalog.

Korean Language Institute Courses

Beginning Korean Language I, II, III
Intermediate Korean Language I, II, III
Advanced Korean Language I, II

Business and Economics Courses *

Business Communication
Corporate Finance
Cost Accounting
Business and Society
Business and the Arts
Microeconomics

*Note: Most business courses are open only to those who declare business major on the Yonsei University application.

East Asian Studies

Philosophy in East Asian Literature
International Relations in East Asia
Introduction to East Asian Art

Intercultural Education

Cold War International History
Bargaining Approach to International Relations

Korean Studies

Korean Traditional Music and Culture
Korean Language and Society
Introduction to Korean Studies
International Politics of the Korean Peninsula
Introduction to Korean Philosophy
Korean Language (3-credit course)

Architecture/Engineering/Computer/Science

Computer Architecture
Ecological Engineering
Electric Power Engineering
Geospatial Information Engineering
Developmental Biology
Organic Chemistry (1)
Discrete Mathematics

The Yonsei site is challenging to navigate without a guide. To request a guide, please contact CIEE to connect with the CIEE Study Abroad Advisor for the Seoul Arts and Sciences program.

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Fees & Housing
Program Spring 2024 17 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date February 23, 2024	End Date June 22, 2024	Fees & Housing $18,950
Program Fall 2024 17 weeks	April 1, 2024	Start Date August 22, 2024 ^*	End Date December 20, 2024 ^*	Fees & Housing $18,950
Program Calendar year 2024	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date August 22, 2024 ^*	End Date TBD^*
Program Fall 2023 17 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date August 24, 2023	End Date December 22, 2023	Fees & Housing $20,950
Program Academic year 2023-2024 43 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date August 24, 2023	End Date June 22, 2024	Fees & Housing $38,950

^*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300^*

Educational Costs = $15,332^**

Housing = $3,000

Insurance = $194

Visa Fees = $124

Total Fees = $18,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $2,385^†

International Airfare = $1,250^††

Local Transportation = $150

Books & Supplies = $300

Personal expenses = $380^†††

Other = $224^††††

Total Costs = $4,689

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^{^}

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

^*non-refundable

^**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

^††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

^†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^††††Korean National Medical Insurance. All international students are legally required to enroll in Korea’s national health insurance program. All are enrolled automatically as soon as they apply for the required Residence Card. A bill is sent on a monthly basis (approximately $56 per month). The insurance covers up to 80% of inpatient treatments and medical services and 30-70% of outpatient treatments and services.

^{^}first-come, first serve, based on availability

Program Fees

Participation Confirmation = $300^*

Educational Costs = $15,332^**

Housing = $3,000

Insurance = $194

Visa Fees = $124

Total Fees = $18,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $2,385^†

International Airfare = $1,250^††

Local Transportation = $150

Books & Supplies = $300

Personal expenses = $380^†††

Other = $224^††††

Total Costs = $4,689

Financial Aid

^*non-refundable

^**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

^††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

^†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

Participation Confirmation = $300^*

Educational Costs = $17,816^**

Housing = $2,520

Insurance = $197

Visa Fees = $117

Total Fees = $20,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $3,800^†

International Airfare = $1,250^††

Local Transportation = $300

Books & Supplies = $300

Personal expenses = $2,200

Other = $350^†††

Total Costs = $8,200

Financial Aid

^*non-refundable

^**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^†During quarantine you will spend an average of $8/meal to be delivered

^††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

^†††Covid tests upon arrival in Korea and Korean National Insurance (medical care and medicine will cost lots less for students. Korean insurance covers 70% of most treatment costs)

Program Fees

Participation Confirmation = $300^*

Educational Costs = $32,816^**

Housing = $5,520

Insurance = $197

Visa Fees = $117

Total Fees = $38,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $6,185^†

International Airfare = $1,250^††

Local Transportation = $450

Books & Supplies = $600

Personal expenses = $2,580

Other = $574^†††

Expenses during break = $2,700^††††

Total Costs = $14,339

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^{^}

Financial Aid