seoul bongeunsa temple
Seoul, South Korea

January in Seoul

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your January in Seoul program lasts 3 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in one CIEE course taught at CIEE Seoul. Enhance your experience with extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Korean culture. Live and learn in Seoul!

Unique Experiences

Walk the Old City Wall

and four major gates: Bukdaemun, Tongdaemun, Namdaemun, and Seodaemun

Travel by Subway

across 20+ lines to explore Seoul, one of the best in the world for ease of use

Enjoy K-Pop Performances

at renowned venues around the city, from intimate underground clubs to massive concert halls

Experience
  • seoul mountain night time

Your Destination

Seoul is South Korea’s cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its mild winter climate and rich cultural heritage. January is the perfect time to experience the city's charm with fewer crowds while exploring iconic landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace and N Seoul Tower and enjoying traditional winter festivities like the Seoul Lantern Festival. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Seoul is the perfect place to study abroad on winter break.

seoul students abroad hanbok

Program Highlights

  • Academic Course: Take one CIEE course delivered in-person at the CIEE Center.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
climbing seoul city wall ciee study abroad students

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Seoul will open doors for you to explore South Korea's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.      

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • Take a Korean cooking class or indulge in a street food tour
  • Travel to Nami Island, a popular film location known for ecotourism
  • Check out Seoul Forest, a man-made eco-friendly park that is one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces  

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.    

Program Blogs

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A Week of Celebration: Yonsei's Muak Festival

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Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE Seoul: Study in the heart of downtown Seoul in Jonggak, just steps from Jonggak Station (Line 1, Exit 10). The CIEE Center features cozy lounges, quiet study spaces, and fast Wi-Fi, with cafés, restaurants, shops, and cultural landmarks just around the corner. With easy access to public transportation and nonstop city energy, Jonggak is the perfect home base while abroad.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

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. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students take one required course. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 

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. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE courses are taught at CIEE Seoul and are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. 

Class Format

Courses are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday through Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas. 

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. 

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. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

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. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

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

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.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

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 Fees & Housing $4,150

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 $2,370 **
Housing $1,400
Insurance $80
Total Fees $4,150

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.

See Scholarships

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 $398
International Airfare $1,250 ††
Local Transportation $75
Books & Supplies $50
Personal expenses $170 †††
Total Costs $1,943

*non-refundable fee

**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

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

Staff

Our Staff

Philip Jung

Center Director

Raised in Toronto, Canada, one of the world's most culturally diverse cities, Philip developed a deep passion for cross-cultural connections and education. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics with...

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...

Beatrice Jaeeun Cho

Senior Academic Coordinator

Beatrice Jaeeun Cho holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Andrews University. After moving back to Korea, Beatrice joined CIEE Seoul as a Senior Academics Coordinator in April...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

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.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info