January in Seoul
Unique Experiences
WALK THE OLD CITY WALL
And four major gates: Bukdaemun, located near the top of Mount Pugak, Tongdaemun, Namdaemun, and Seodaemun
MORE THAN 20 SUBWAY LINES
To explore Seoul, one of the best in the world for ease of use
ENJOY K-POP PERFORMANCES
At venues around the city
22
NATIONAL PARKS IN 3 CATEGORIES-MOUNTAINOUS, MARINE AND HISTORICAL
1,000+ MILES
OF PAVED BICYCLES CRISSCROSSING THE COUNTRY
5
ANCIENT PALACES IN SEOUL
Your Destination
The dynamic city of Seoul has been South Korea’s capital for more than 600 years. A vibrant business and financial hub, it is also a “smart city.” Seoul brims with culture, boasting more than 100 museums, numerous religious monuments, parks, markets, festivals, sports teams, and majestic palaces. The mighty Han River flows through the city, and rugged mountains loom in the distance.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Check out Seoul Forest, a man-made eco-friendly park that is one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces
- Take a Korean cooking class or indulge in a street food tour
- Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea
- Explore the Bukchon Hanok Village and experience the charm of traditional wooden homes
- Hike up one of the many mountains that surround Seoul
- Travel to Nami Island, a popular film location known for ecotourism
- Visit a Buddhist temple
- Take a K-Pop dance class
Program Blogs
How to do Han River Park Like a Local
On a sunny April afternoon, I took a break from classes and headed to Seoul’s beloved Hangang Park for a relaxing picnic with friends. From street food and scenic views to strawberry tanghulu and a stunning sunset, this spontaneous midweek escape was the perfect way to enjoy spring in the city.
Drinking Water in South Korea
There were surprisingly few culture shocks when I came to South Korea, but one that stood out the most to me was how water was served and accessed. It may... keep reading
Experiencing School Clubs in Korea
When I came to Yonsei in spring of 2024, my biggest worry was “how am I going to make friends?” as is a typical thought for anyone moving to a... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Seoul offers diverse housing options to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. From twin rooms to single rooms in residence hotels, we will strive to have your accommodation preferences met. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Meals are not included. Students can eat at restaurants throughout Seoul.
Academics
Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities to immerse them in the culture and facilitate intercultural learning. Classes take place at CIEE Seoul.
Course Information
Communication, Journalism, and Media
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:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
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 January 2026 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Teddy Choi
Senior Program Manager
Teddy’s passion and love of international education was driven by his life-changing study abroad experience in the US. He tries to go the extra mile for every single student to...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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