Study Abroad in Seoul, South Korea
- Spring 2027
- February 24 – June 21, 2027 (Est)
- 9-15 Credits
- US $14,900
- Apply by: December 28, 2026
Time Left:
- Summer 2027
- June 25 – July 23, 2027 (Est)
- 3 credits (+3 free with optional 2nd course)
- US $4,970
- Apply by: April 26, 2027
Time Left:
- Fall 2027
- August 24 – December 19, 2027 (Est)
- 12–15 credits
- US $14,900
- Apply by: June 28, 2027
Time Left:
Why Study Abroad in Seoul?
Authentica’s study abroad in Seoul is hosted at Sogang University’s Mapo-gu campus, with published pricing from day one — a semester ($14,900, 9–15 credits) or summer ($4,970, 3 credits, +3 free) — spanning six concentrations from Technology, AI & the Future of Work to K-Culture, Media & the Global Hallyu, with direct transpacific routing from US West Coast gateways.
South Korea offers a fascinating case study for the future of Asia — having transformed from post-war recovery to a leading G20 economy in just a few generations, it now sits at the centre of global conversations on technology, sustainability, and cultural soft power. From Samsung and Naver to AI and the future of work, Korea is shaping how the rest of the world will live, work, and consume.
Seoul itself is one of Asia’s most dynamic innovation hubs — a city where global tech companies, K-culture industries, and a rapidly transforming society intersect. Students engage directly with the businesses, policymakers, and cultural producers driving the next chapter of Asia’s rise, while exploring contemporary Korean society through its food, religion, education, and the global phenomenon of Hallyu.
Hosted at Sogang University — a top-ranked Jesuit research university in the heart of Seoul — students gain access to a world-class campus while immersing themselves in one of Asia’s most consequential cities. Weekend excursions to Busan, Jeju, and Gyeongju extend the classroom across the peninsula.
Where You'll Study
Sogang University, Mapo-gu
You’ll study at Sogang University’s Mapo-gu campus — a top-ranked Jesuit research university in the heart of Seoul. Founded in 1960 in the tradition of cura personalis (“care for the whole person”), Sogang is home to one of Asia’s leading AACSB-accredited business schools and a research community recognized across the sciences, humanities, and policy.
The Mapo-gu district places students at the intersection of Seoul’s tech, creative, and cultural industries — within easy reach of Hongdae’s vibrant student scene, the global headquarters of Korea’s largest entertainment and tech companies, and the public-transit network that connects students to the rest of the city. Classrooms, libraries, and student services at Sogang are complemented by an Authentica program manager on the ground throughout the semester.
Where You'll Stay
Sogang University Residence Halls
On-campus · Curated by Sogang
- On-campus accommodation operated by Sogang University
- Shared bedroom
- Shared common areas (kitchen, lounge, study spaces)
- Bed linens included
- WiFi access
- Access to Sogang student facilities (library, gym, dining)
- 24/7 security
Curated Off-Campus Housing
Apartments · Walking distance to campus
- Shared apartments curated by Authentica
- Walking or short-transit distance to Mapo-gu campus
- Shared bedroom (max 2–3 students per room)
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Bed linens included · WiFi access · Washer access
- Heating / air conditioning
Co-Curriculum
To enhance and enrich the formal curriculum, we offer a robust slate of co-curricular programming focused on SDGs, professional development, and experiential learning. Field engagements in and around Seoul expose students to issues, organizations, and initiatives they wouldn’t otherwise access — preparing them for the workforce while deepening their understanding of Asia’s rise.
Seoul Program Concentrations
1 Sustainable Business & Innovation in Asia
Analyze how business, technology, and sustainability intersect in one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. Students examine how Korean firms have built globally competitive enterprises while navigating climate, supply-chain, and ESG pressures.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
Core Courses (Semester)
- International Business (3)
- Business and International Environment (3)
- Global Citizenship (3)
Related MajorsBusiness · International Business · Economics · Management · Sustainability Studies · Marketing
2 Technology, AI & the Future of Work
Engage with South Korea’s advanced tech ecosystem — from Samsung and Naver to startup labs and AI research — while exploring how generative AI is reshaping work, learning, and creative industries.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
Core Courses (Semester)
- Artificial Intelligence: Deep Learning (3)
- Marketing Strategy for Innovative Technologies and Emerging Markets (3)
- AI Applied Education Theories and Implementation (3)
Related MajorsComputer Science · Data Science · Artificial Intelligence · Engineering · Information Systems · Business
3 Economic Development & Asia’s Rise
Understand South Korea’s transformation from post-war recovery to G20 powerhouse — and what it teaches about export-led growth, industrial policy, and the future of Asia’s economic ascent.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
Core Courses (Semester)
- Critical Issues in Contemporary Asia I (3)
- International Trade (3)
- Development Economics (3)
Related MajorsEconomics · International Trade · Public Policy · Development Studies · International Relations · Finance
4 Politics, History & the Korean Peninsula
Study Korean democracy, the DMZ, alliances, and modern history through one of the world’s most consequential geopolitical case studies — set against five thousand years of cultural continuity.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
Core Courses (Semester)
- Introductory Seminar in Korean Studies (3)
- Formation of Modern Korea (3)
- Survey of Korean History II (3)
Related MajorsPolitical Science · History · International Relations · Asian Studies · Pre-Law · Security Studies
5 Korean Society & Identity
Examine contemporary Korean society — gender, family, education, religion, and the rapid social transformation that has reshaped one of Asia’s most dynamic societies in a single generation.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
- Korean Society (3) or Korean Culture (3)
Core Courses (Semester)
- Introduction to Korean Culture (3)
- Korean Studies Seminar: Performance and Culture (3)
- Introduction to Korean Sociolinguistics (3)
Related MajorsSociology · Anthropology · Cultural Studies · Korean Studies · Linguistics · Religious Studies
6 K-Culture, Media & the Global Hallyu
Explore Hallyu — the global Korean Wave — and how K-pop, K-drama, and Korean cinema became one of the twenty-first century’s most consequential cultural and economic phenomena.
Core Course (Summer · 3 credits)
- K-POP & Global Hallyu (3) or K-movie and Hallyu (3)
Core Courses (Semester)
- Introduction to Korean Culture (3)
- K-Art, from Tradition to Contemporary Art (3)
- K-pop and Cultural Studies (3)
Related MajorsMedia Studies · Journalism · Communications · Marketing · Cultural Studies · Film Studies
Course Syllabi
Seoul Core Courses
Below are the six Authentica-assigned core courses for the Seoul Summer Program — each anchored in Sogang’s faculty-taught catalog. Click any course for the full syllabus including learning objectives, assessments, course outline, and recommended readings.
LOCATION
TERM
THEME
DISCIPLINE
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Program Dates & Price
Spring 2027
Spring Semester
Summer 2027
Summer Cohort
Fall 2027
Fall Semester
Application Requirements
Matriculation in a US-accredited college or university. Good academic and disciplinary standing. 2.5 GPA.
Program Inclusions
airport pickup and transpotation to accomondation
Guided visit to a major Seoul cultural site
Guided market visit and Korean cooking class
Guided DMZ tour and geopolitical briefing
Welcome and farewell dinners
Walking neighborhood orientation in Mapo-gu
24/7 Authentica staff assistance
Two weekly co-curricular activities in Seoul
Public transportation pass for the duration of the program
All course materials
International Insurance coverage
Seoul Program
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers first — including the one most program pages avoid.
What will a semester in Seoul actually cost, all-in?
The published program fee is $14,900 for a 9–15 credit semester — and because a fee is not a budget, here is the rest of the math, stated as a dated estimate:
| Included in your program fee | |
| Housing (Sogang residence hall or curated apartment) | Included |
| Transit pass · international insurance · course materials | Included |
| Airport pickup · co-curriculars · DMZ tour · orientation | Included |
| Program fee | $14,900 |
| Plan for separately | |
| Round-trip flights (US West Coast gateways) | $1,000 – $1,400 |
| Meals & groceries (full semester) | $1,600 – $2,200 |
| Student visa (D-2) fee | ≈ $60 |
| Personal spending & weekend travel | $900 – $1,300 |
| Realistic all-in total | ≈ $18,500 – $19,900 |
Estimates are estimates: dated July 2026, refreshed each term, and your own spending will vary. Apply the JetSet flight credit and any SCALE award against this total.
What is included in the Seoul program fee?
Airport pickup and transportation to your accommodation, a guided visit to a major Seoul cultural site, a guided market visit and Korean cooking class, a guided DMZ tour and geopolitical briefing, welcome and farewell dinners, a walking neighborhood orientation in Mapo-gu, 24/7 Authentica staff assistance, two weekly co-curricular activities in Seoul, a public transportation pass for the duration of the program, all course materials, and international insurance coverage.
When are the Seoul application deadlines?
Spring 2027 closes December 28, 2026 · Summer 2027 closes April 26, 2027 · Fall 2027 closes June 28, 2027. Program dates are estimated and confirmed on acceptance — the deadline is the number to plan around.
Does financial aid apply to the Seoul program?
In most cases institutional and federal aid can travel with you for credit-bearing programs — confirm the specifics with your financial aid office early, not at deposit time. On top of that, Authentica adds SCALE scholarships for need- and merit-based support and a JetSet flight credit when you apply.
How do credits work in Seoul?
Semesters carry 9–15 credits; the summer term carries 3 credits, with an optional second course adding 3 more free. Courses run 45 contact hours per 3 credits and are anchored in Sogang University's faculty-taught catalog.
Where will I live in Seoul?
Your choice: Sogang University residence halls on campus (shared bedroom, shared common areas, 24/7 security, access to Sogang student facilities) or curated off-campus shared apartments within walking or short-transit distance of the Mapo-gu campus — maximum 2–3 students per room, with a fully equipped kitchen, washer access, and heating and air conditioning. Both options include bed linens and WiFi.
What support is on the ground in Seoul?
An Authentica program manager is on the ground throughout the semester, backed by 24/7 Authentica staff assistance and the international insurance included in your fee. It starts with a walking orientation in your own Mapo-gu neighborhood on day one.
Looking for ways to fund your experience?
Authentica standard programs are based in popular study abroad destinations for US undergraduates, but we aim to approach and engage our locations in distinctive, highly intentional ways.
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