South Korea’s transformation from poverty to affluence has been so dramatic that it is often called the “Miracle of the Han River.” Now the world’s tenth-largest economy and a global innovation leader, South Korea offers a compelling setting for studying energy, environment, and social innovation. Having long relied on fossil fuels for the majority of its electricity, the country has embarked on one of the world’s most ambitious clean-energy programs — the Green New Deal — with targets spanning renewable electricity, rapid electric-vehicle adoption, the phase-out of coal-fired power, and reduced import dependence through clean hydrogen.

South Korea’s emphasis on social innovation is equally distinctive and closely linked to its environmental ambitions. Seoul applies a data-driven approach to social innovation through its “Sharing City” initiative, welcoming citizen input and channeling community engagement into solutions — guiding social innovations from idea to delivery. The result is a living laboratory where energy reform, environmental policy, and civic innovation intersect.

This program gives students direct exposure to South Korea’s environmental reform and social-innovation processes. Through interactions with policy makers, leaders of social-innovation institutes, and sustainability experts, students gain insight into the country’s energy, environment, and social-innovation landscape. Structured classroom sessions anchor the academic content, while curated organizational visits bring it to life — and immersive cultural experiences reveal the rich history, culture, and economy of South Korea.