STUDY ABROAD IN SEOUL, KOREA
May 8 - 23, 2024
Have you been hearing all the buzz about South Korea and wondering what it’s all about? This is a chance to have your questions answered.
This is a VERY LOW-COST study abroad experience and May 2024 will be the second year that we run this program.
“From Classical Korea to Modern K-pop: The Sociological Exploration of a Changing Culture” is a study abroad program (3 credits) designed to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for Korean life. This is an immersive experience and PSU students will not spend these days only with other PSU students. Instead, each participant will partner and collaborate with students at Konkuk University both inside and outside the classroom. The direct involvement creates an environment for lively inter-cultural dialogues which bring both parties closer together forming a cohesive and unified group.
The university is in the center of Seoul in a very unique and traditional neighborhood. You WILL feel as though you are “in Korea” and not some international city anywhere in the world.
All Penn State students from any campus or any discipline can participate in the program.
The application window closes on January 24th
Enroll in three credit class: “Sociology and Culture in Seoul, Korea”. Enroll for either: SOC 499, HDFS 499, or ASIA 499 (counts as a 400-level class in your major)
ESTIMATED PENN STATE COSTS *
Program: $1,500
Tuition: $2,600 **Every student pays in-state tuition (even out-of-state and international students)
OTHER ESTIMATED EXPENSES **
Airfare: $1,500
Meals: $300
Misc: $200
* Final Penn State expenses will be determined by the end of the Fall 2023 semester AND SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.
** These are just estimates. For example, current airfare from NY to Seoul is $1,200 – 1,500.
You can reach out to one of the instructors:
Dr. Ben Park (PSU Brandywine – bcp10@psu.edu)
Dr. Sam Richards (PSU University Park – smr8@psu.edu)
Dr. Laurie Mulvey (PSU University Park – laurie@worldinconversation.org)
This course is designed to give you an insider’s view of both modern and traditional Korean life. Focus of the experience will be on modern and traditional cultural customs have paved the way for a unique sociological transformation of Korean society.
Penn State students will partner up with students at Konkuk University for a more immersive experience. We’ll meet in a classroom for two hours on the weekdays and then explore some aspect of Korean culture each afternoon and on the weekends. The evenings are yours to discover your own path through Seoul.
Lodging will be at Konkuk University in Seoul. Breakfast is provided for you in the dorms but only a few other meals. But eating out in Seoul is very inexpensive and the food scene is awesome.
For course info: ea.psu.edu (search for Korea and you’ll find this program)
For PSU info: global.psu.edu/category/steps-study-abroad
DOWNLOAD our two page flyer
Q. What did the May 2023 program participants say?
“I am very grateful for this trip and every single second of it was precious.”
“This trip has opened my eyes to different perspectives and points of view. It has made me realize that although different, humans are able to connect and relate no matter what. Whether it be through music, movies, school, opinions, etc. I am very grateful for this experience and how much it has made me grow as a person.”
“Throughout the program, we were exposed to many highly unique and fun experiences.”
“New experiences scared me, and I tended to stay in my comfort zone…, But during this program, I tried every single food item that was presented to me, even if I was not familiar with the dish. I was able to fully embrace the cultural experience and I believe that this newfound openness will have the ability to increase my knowledge of the world.”
“This program shifted how I saw the world because I realized just how similar we all are. During the seminars, I was surprised at how no matter if you were a Konkuk or a Penn State student, many of our values aligned. For example, there was a day where we talked about what a friend is to us and if there is a difference between what Koreans value in a friendship and what Americans value. To my surprise, we all valued trust, honesty, and reliability. It did not matter what country we grew up in or what religion we practiced. Even though our countries are thousands of miles apart, we seek the same attributes in a friend.”
“While in Korea I learned so much but I didn’t actually notice until I left how monumental the trip actually was. Being able to see and experience the Korean culture was amazing. I was able to see a different way of life first hand.”
“Korea allowed me to reflect a lot about who I actually want to be in this world and how I want live my life. It showed me that there is more out there. Surprisingly, I also felt a spiritual connection form from this trip as well.”
“This trip has made me step out of my comfort zone and it has challenged and empowered me. It boosted my confidence, resilience, and adaptability, enabling me to approach future challenges with an open mind.”
“I truly loved and value every single thing we did on this trip and I most definitely will visit again.”
“I feel that there was never a dull moment on this trip, there were always so many new things to do, places to explore, and foods to try!”
“In a way, Seoul felt like New York City on steroids but in some of the best ways possible.”
Q. What about flights?
You will be responsible for your own flights. However, we’re going to put you in contact with one another and what will happen is that many of you will end up on the same flights or will arrive to Seoul around the same time (and will therefore travel to Konkuk together). We will give you information about booking flights so that this runs smoothly for you. As you are thinking about this, however, consider the following:
The cheapest flights often have restrictions (e.g., too many stopovers at airports, stopovers that are too tight, baggage fees). So saving $100 is not worth it if you risk getting stuck in some airport for 12 or 24 hours.
When you have a layover, make certain that you have at least 90 minutes on the ground to catch your next flight. You want to make sure that both you and your bag make it onto the next plane.
Try to get a window or an aisle seat when you book (super cheap flights often mean you cannot select seats ahead of time).
Have a neck pillow — this is a long flight.
Again, have the fewest number of stopovers and try to fly out of a major airport.
How to survive a long haul flight — READ THIS.
Q. How do we get from the airport to Konkuk University?
There are a number of options. We’ll make sure that you know what they are and we will make it 100 percent problem free. And we’ll arrange this so that you go from the airport to KU with other students.
Q. Do I need to bring my own bedding and towels?
No. Everything will be provided for you - pillow, sheets, blanket, towel, slippers.
Q. What about a Korea visa and Covid procedures?
You no longer have to get a PCR test before entering Korea. And as of April 1, 2023, U.S. citizens no longer need a visa (at least for the next couple of years). You will have to fill out an “Arrival Card” upon entry, but this is simple.
Q. What and how should I think about packing?
Pack light. You can do some laundry in the dorms. And you might decide to buy some new swag in Seoul. We’re making one overnight trip outside of Seoul on this trip so you will want a day bag, including a pack back while you are there. But assuming that you will put your bag under the plane, consider a good sized carry-on bag or backpack that you can have a change of clothing and toiletries in the event of a lost suitcase. (Airlines lose about 0.5 percent of bags, so just keep this in the back of your mind.)
A note on carry-on bags: If you bring on with wheels, make sure it’s not larger than 22 inches in height or it will very likely end up under the plane. (In fact, be super safe and keep ti at 20 inches.)
When we/you head out to explore Seoul in the afternoons and evenings, you really won’t need a big pack back. Just a small shoulder bag will be fine for your phone and charger, water, etc.
Q. What about technology?
You really don’t need a high powered laptop. Sam recently purchased an Acer Chromebook for $129 and it rocks — and has an 8 hour battery.
You could survive with just your phone. We’re going to ask you to keep a journal, but you can write them on your phone and submit them to us.
Download KakaoTalk and make an account. This is the Korean messaging platform (like WeChat, WhatsApp, and Messenger). ALL of the Koreans who you will meet and befriend will be on KakaoTalk, so you will need to have it.
Ben and Sam will also be using WhatsApp.
Q. What about phone plans?
If you’re on ATT or Verizon (and perhaps others), you can purchase an international plan for $10/day that allows you to use your phone just like you use it in the U.S. And there are other plans as well that allow you to simply purchase data. The benefit of the “Day Plans” is that you don’t have to ever think about how much data you’re using and, therefore, always be searching for WiFi. That said, while in Seoul you can find fast WiFi everywhere, even in subway cars. Probably 99 percent of your calls and messaging can be on KT or WhatsApp. You just gotta make sure that peeps back home know to call you on WhatsApp or some other platform that allows you to connect while not using a (Korean) phone carrier’s signals. And you don’t need a Korean sim card.
Q. What type of electrical adaptor do I need?
Type C or F is the adaptor that you’ll want. You won’t need a converter because these days all of your technology will run on 120 or 220 volts (Korea runs on 220v), So just an inexpensive adaptor will be fine.
Q. How much work is the 499 class?
Nobody “studies abroad” to worry about a grade. You are going to another country to experience a different culture and your “work” is to have that experience. We will have you journaling and that sort of thing, and we will give you things to read and videos to watch. But ALL of that work will be directed toward enhancing your experience of Korea. So if we say, “Hey, watch this video before we meed tomorrow”, then you will WANT to watch the video.
Q. What exactly will we be doing each day?
Every day will be different. On most days (M-F) we’ll spend 1.5 - 2 hours together at Konkuk University in the mid to late morning. All that will be arranged and it won’t matter to you until we’re there and it happens. And then aside from the time we'll spend together at Konkuk, we are setting up some site visits for the afternoons, but we will not fill all of your days. There is plenty to do in Seoul.
Q. Where do I go to learn some Korean?
Q. Can we stay longer?
The Official End Date for the program is May 23rd. This means that after May 23rd, Penn State is no longer responsible for you.
It is easy to find inexpensive lodging in Korea and you might decide to travel outside of Seoul and visit another part of the country. If you've travelled before, then you know how easy this is. If you've not travelled before, then I want to emphasize that this is super easy. By the end of our stay there, YOU WILL KNOW Seoul well enough to have your favorite places to visit, how to get around, how to pay for things -- and so getting a room with another student will be SUPER EASY. And you don't have to book a room now. You can find a room on May 19th if necessary. Seoul is a large city and this is not the high season of travel so there will ALWAYS be rooms for $40-60/night (half of that if you split the cost). And keep in mind that you’re going to see parts of the city and say, “Whoa…I want to stay in THIS neighborhood for my extra days.” Or you’re going to want to visit some really cool part of the country that you’ve found out about.
All of this is our way of saying that Korea is super safe and quite inexpensive. Live large. Don't be afraid. Take advantage of the time you have. You’re going to meet lots of Korean college students and the options for you will be numerous.