DISCOVER KOREA

2027 Maymester Study Abroad in Korea

May 10 (Mon.) - June 3(Thu.), 2027

Vanderbilt University

Dr. Seok Bae Jang

Contact: seok.jang@vanderbilt.edu

New Program Period: Monday, May 10 - Thursday, June 3, 2027

Arrival in Korea: Monday, May 10, 2027
Departure from Korea: Thursday, June 3, 2027

Application Deadline: December 1st, 2026

2025 Program

Video File

Contributed by Nammun Zolbadrakh

2025 Maymester video.mov

Course Title: DISCOVER KOREA

Course Number: ASIA 1480

Credit Hours: [3] *The course credits can be counted toward non-language Korean minor credits.

CORE Capacity: Cultural & Interpretive Investigation (C)

AXLE: INT

No Pre-requisites

Instructor: Dr. Seok Bae Jang

*This course is not a Korean language course. You will get credits for CORE Capacity - Cultural & Interpretive Investigation (C) or AXLE International Culture.

*No Korean language skills are required.

Cost-Per-Student: TBA
(The registrar's office and the dean's office unexpectedly raised Maymester tuition and fees in November.)

Included:
- Tuition,
- Program Fee: Accommodation for 24 nights, Transportation (Airport Transportation included), 25 times of Group Meals (Welcome/Farewell Dinner, Han River Picnic, etc.), Cultural/Business Excursions, Day Trips and Overnight Trips (4-day 3-night to Gyeongju, Ulsan, Pohang & Busan / Day Trips to DMZ, Seorak Mountain & Sokcho, Textbooks, Etc.
Not Included: International Airfare, ETA Application Fee (about $8.00), Personal Cellphone Fee (about $50), Personal Living Supplies, Personal Meals.

If you need financial support, please apply for the Global Summer Fellows Scholarship Program.The GSF application opens November 1st and is due December 1st, 2027. Visit the Immersion Vanderbilt Funding website for details on associated funds.

Program Description:

Discover South Korea: the home of BTS, BLACKPINK, TWISE and New Jeans; the country behind ‘Squid Game’, ‘Parasite’, ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’; and the origin of Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motors, etc.

A dynamic and innovative country, South Korea has captured the hearts of countless enthusiasts around the world with its popular culture. Superstars such as BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE and New Jeans are at the forefront of the K-Pop sensation, while works such as ‘Squid Game’, ‘Parasite’ and ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ have brought K-Drama and K-Movie into the international spotlight more than ever before. Moreover, South Korea has undergone remarkable economic transformation over the past few decades, turning into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Today, South Korea is one of the US’s largest trading partners and is a global leader in Information technology. Additionally, South Korea boasts a storied history and navigates one of the most complex geopolitical situations in the world. The enduring security alliance between the US and South Korea plays a crucial role on the Korean peninsula.

This program offers one day of basic Korean language instruction, along with meetings with Korean college students and several guest lectures by experts on Korean culture, politics, history, and economy. Participants will enjoy various cultural and business excursions, including a K-pop dance class, a cooking class, visits to famous cultural and business sites, and opportunities for a four-day overnight trip, a two-day overnight excursion, and day trips. Through this uniquely immersive experience, students will develop a new perspective and appreciation for South Korea and its rich culture, history, and economy.

Accommodations

For twenty-four (24) nights: Double Occupancy which includes Wi-Fi and gym access

Transportation

Airport Transfer upon arrival and departure via chartered bus
Transportation card for 25 days

Meals:

Welcome and Farewell Dinner
20 Group meals for cultural/business excursions

Academics

Survival Korean Class & Meeting with Yonsei University Students
Guest lecture on the Economic Development and Korean Politics
Weekly Readings and Discussion on Various Topics about Korea
Daily Journal & Reflection

Cultural Activities:

Gyeongbok-Gung Palace wearing Hanbok, Changdeok-Gung Palace & Secret Garden (Royal Garden) Visits
Korean National Museum & National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Bukchon, Ikseondong & Insadong Visits
K-pop Dance Class
Cooking Class
Myeongdong with street food tour
Tour of Hongdae and interesting theme cafes
Seoul Tower (Namsan Mountain)
Lotte Tower & Lotte World Visits
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Garment industry)
Han River Picnic
Bukaksan Mountain Hiking

Day Trips

Paju: Roundtrip with transportation via charter bus with visit to DMZ, tour guide, and group lunch

Seorak National Park & Sokcho via Charter Bus

Global Knowledge Exchange & Development Center (GKEDC)

Overnight Excursions

To Gyeongju, Ulsan and Busan (4 days 3 nights)

Accommodations for three (3) nights: One night in Gyeongju, two nights in Busan
Round trip transportation via KTX and Charter Bus
Visits to Pohang POSCO, Ulsan Hyundai Car Factory, Seokgulram grotto, Bulkuksa temple, Anapji Pond, Gyeongju National Museum, Tumulipark and Star Observatory, Haedongyonggung Temple, Taejongdae Park, Gamcheon Cultural Village, Oyukdo Skywalk, Fish cake making experience, Jagalchi & Kukje market sightseeing, etc.
All meals included

*More Interesting Cultural/Business Site Visits will be added.

Safety Plan:

This program will be partnered with RealAsia.

Real Asia Emergency Line (24/7): A full-time staff member is always on call. The number will be confirmed with you prior to the program start. We recommend you save it under “Real Asia –Emergency” in your phone.

How RealAsia helps:

- Triage the situation and advise immediate next steps

- Coordinate ambulance or transport if needed

- Call ahead to a hospital to alert their international desk

- Help with language support and documentation guidance

- Arrange for an extra guide to chaperone the medical visit, and invoicing the additional associated costs

Global Summer Fellows Scholarship Program

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/study-abroad/finances/

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/immersion/funding/

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