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: $15,835
(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 / 2-day 1-night to Seorak Mountain and Gangneung), Textbooks and Stationery, 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, 2025.  Visit the Immersion Vanderbilt Funding website for details on associated funds. 

Accommodations

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

Transportation

• Airport Transfer upon arrival and departure via chartered bus

• Transportation card for 25 days, which will include a T-money card

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 , Korean Politics, and Korean Culture

• 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

• Global Knowledge Exchange & Development Center (GKEDC)

• Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST )

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

To Seorak Mountain & Gangneung (2 days, 1 night)

• Accommodations for one (1) night

• Round trip transportation via Charter Bus

• Visit to Seoraksan Mountain, Gangreung, Daekwangryeng, Weoljeoingsa Temple, etc.

• All meals included

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

Global Summer Fellows Scholarship Program

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

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

GSF application deadline: December 1, 2025

The Immersion Vanderbilt team administers the need-based Global Summer Fellows Scholarship program for Vanderbilt-approved Maymester programs. The GSF application opens November 1st and is due December. 1st. See the Immersion funding page for more details and eligibility information.