Table of Contents
- Why Spend Your Summer in South Korea?
- Student Life
- Global Experience
- Excursions and Cultural Activities
- Travel Opportunities
- Want to Get Out of the City?
- Day Trips
- Weekend Trips
- Best Universities to Attend
- Costs to Consider
- Tips for Beginning your Journey In Seoul
- Staying Connected
- 배달 (Delivery)
- Transportation
- Before and During the Application Process
- Ready for a Perfect Summer in Korea?
Many universities in South Korea offer study abroad programs during the summer, open to students currently enrolled in a university. Courses are available in English, making these programs accessible for students from all over the world to come study at these universities. A wide range of courses is available which include business, history, politics, international studies, Korean language, and more.
These programs range on average from 4-6 weeks and run between June and August. Students have the option to directly apply and take courses at a host university in the summer while earning credit to transfer back to their home university. During the program, students can participate in excursions, cultural activities, and meet local and international students.
Spending your summer in South Korea can lead to many unforgettable memories and valuable life experiences. From cultural immersion and student life to global experiences and travel opportunities, there is much to gain from studying abroad in Korea.
Why Spend Your Summer in South Korea?
Spending your summer in South Korea can lead to many unforgettable memories and valuable life experiences. From cultural immersion and student life to global experiences and travel opportunities, there is much to gain from studying abroad in Korea.
I had the privilege of participating in a study abroad program in South Korea last summer in 2025. It was a life changing experience that allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and create memories that I still value today.
South Korea is a unique destination for studying abroad. No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find something that appeals to you. From modern cities, aesthetic café culture, and iconic street food to historic palaces and traditional districts, there is always something new to enjoy and explore.
Don’t miss the chance to chat with the locals, try authentic Korean food, and pick up on the language.
While I was there, I visited popular street markets such as Gwangjang Market and Myeongdong Market, where I tried hotteok for the first time. Hotteok is a popular Korean street food made of a fried dough pancake with a crispy crunch and a variety of fillings available. My favorite was the sweet kkul hotteok, which was filled with brown sugar and honey. On the savory side, I also tried yachae hotteok, which is filled with vegetables and dangmyeon (glass noodles).
Source: All Ways Delicious
Student Life
South Korea is known for its active campuses and communities. Summer students are still able to participate in activities! Whether you need to study at an aesthetic cafe, de-stress at a noraebang(karaoke), attend a K-pop concert, or stroll through the city, there are a variety of experiences that you can engage in.
In my experience, there was never a time where I felt there was nothing to do. With a variety of pop-up events, music festivals, new neighborhoods to visit, and new foods to try along the way.
Source: Korea University
Global Experience
Studying abroad even for a short period of time will provide you with unforgettable experiences, memories, friendships, and knowledge! You will be able to grow more independent, build on your adaptability skills, and gain cross-cultural experiences. Many students from around the world take part in these programs, meaning that you will have the opportunity to network with classmates from all over.
In my classes, I met students that I would not have had the chance to if I didn’t participate in a summer program. It was one of the highlights of my time abroad.
Excursions and Cultural Activities
In most cases, there will be multiple excursions to sign up for while attending a summer program. These are great opportunities to meet other students, try a new activity, and learn more about the culture. Some examples of past excursions include trips to the Lotte World theme park, Taekwondo classes, K-Pop dance classes, Korean cooking classes, etc.
Travel Opportunities
Summer programs are very flexible. Depending on the amount of courses you decide to take, you may be left with a lot of time outside of class to explore. From the convenience of the buses, and underground transportation, you can easily get around the city.
Want to Get Out of the City?
If you have selected a university in Seoul, there are many locations in and outside of the city that you can visit. Some of these can be day trips or weekend trips.
Day Trips
- DMZ(Demilitarized Zone)
You can visit the DMZ which is the border between North and South Korea. Take a moment to learn more about the country’s history.
Bonus Tip: Some summer school programs may offer this as a possible excursion to sign up for!
Source: CNN
- Suwon
Located less than an hour away from Seoul, Suwon is a great destination to explore the Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, UNESCO World Heritage site, along with checking out some iconic filming locations to the popular K-Drama “Lovely Runner”
After my class one day I took a trip to Suwon and I truly enjoyed it. From seeing the historical places, to checking out the Starfield Library and iconic London Bagel spot.
Source: GetYourGuide
- Nami Island
Nami Island is around 2 hours outside of Seoul. It is a popular tourist destination to get out of the city and take in the beautiful scenery and green atmosphere. You can also walk across the metasequoia and gingko tree path which is known to change colors as the seasons change. The popular K-drama from 2002 “Winter Sonata” also features the path as a romantic and well-known spot for tourists.
Source:Creatrip
I visited Nami Island as a day trip excursion through my program. It was a nice getaway from the busy city life in Seoul. At a restaurant called Mr. Dakgalbi, I tried dakgalbi for the first time which is stir fried chicken, mixed in with gochujang and tteok(rice cakes), added in with cheese, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and cabbage. To this day, It was one of my favorite foods that I had tried during my time abroad.
Source: Visit Korea
Weekend Trips
- Busan
Busan is a must-see for people coming to visit South Korea. It is named as the second largest city in the country and the most colorful village. It’s a classic getaway from the busy city and very popular for its beaches and seafood. It’s an easy destination to reach by taking the KTX (Korea Train eXpress) for a few hours from Seoul. While there, be sure to visit the Gamcheon Culture Village, along with Haeundae Beach
I loved seeing Busan as an overnight destination. I found that the local language was a bit different than Seoul, and had a completely different atmosphere than Seoul.
Fun Fact: BTS’s Jimin and Jungkook were both born in Busan. Located in Gamcheon Culture village, it features a fan made mural of the members and known as a popular tourist attraction for ARMYs
Source: Visit Korea
- Jeju Island
Lastly, another famous destination which is also known as the “Honeymoon Island”, Jeju Island is an hour away via airplane from Seoul. If you are looking for a relaxed vibe this is the place to go. With the island consisting of beautiful volcanoes, hiking trails, and beaches, you will not want to miss it. Be sure to also check out Hallabong which are oranges unique to the island of Jeju.
Source: TIME
Best Universities to Attend
Are you wondering where you can attend while studying abroad? There are many top tier universities that offer summer school programs.
Some of these include:
Seoul National University(ISP)
Source: Seoul National University
Costs to Consider
The overall expenses can vary depending on the university selected, your lifestyle, and the length of the program. You can find an option that fits your budget and personal preferences.
When considering costs, it is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all budget for studying abroad in South Korea.
Bonus Tip: South Korea is considered one of the more affordable countries to study abroad in!
Some Expenses May Include:
- Application fee
- Tuition for the program
- Housing(on or off campus)
- Flights
- Transportation
- Food
- eSIM
- Personal expenses
- Emergency funds
Tips for Beginning your Journey In Seoul
Staying Connected
It is important to have a plan before arriving and settling into South Korea. However, there are many options available at the airport if you need to purchase a plan upon arrival.
Whether it is getting an eSIM purchasing an international phone plan, or signing up for a local phone plan, these are all options during your stay in South Korea.
I purchased my eSIM through Klook, a popular travel platform. It was affordable and easy to set up.
Bonus Tip: Free public Wi-Fi is available in many major public spaces!
배달 (Delivery)
Food delivery popular in South Korea and apps are widely used making it very convenient to order meals.
While I personally did not use delivery apps during my stay, many other students found them easy and convenient to use.
Popular delivery apps include:
- Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠)
- Baemin (배달의민족)
Transportation
The most common forms of transportation in South Korea are buses and subways. To use public transportation, you will need a T-money card, which can be purchased and reloaded at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, CU, and GS25.
Helpful Apps:
- KakaoMap
- Naver Map
Before and During the Application Process
It is never too early to start planning!
I started planning around two years in advance, but even as late as a few months before is possible to hit that deadline.
Typically applications for the summer programs will open up January, and close around May. It is recommended to stay up to date with upcoming deadlines and follow up on important information that is posted on the University’s website.
When the time comes to send in your application, depending on where in the world you are applying from, the requirements may be different!
You will be asked to submit your application, pay an application fee, upload required documents, and then wait for your acceptance!
Bonus Tip: Most universities offer an early bird discount for those who apply earlier in advance!
Source: Visit Seoul
Ready for a Perfect Summer in Korea?
No matter which university you choose or how long you stay, your time in South Korea is sure to leave a lasting impact. You will find that there is something for everyone in South Korea. I am confident that you will enjoy your time, make meaningful connections, and leave with memories that will last long after the program ends.
Looking for other ways to study in Korea? There are also Korean language schools to explore. Read about it here!