DISCOVER KOREA
2026 Maymester Study Abroad in Korea
May 6 (Wed.) - May 30(Sat.), 2025
Vanderbilt University
Dr. Seok Bae Jang
Contact: seok.jang@vanderbilt.edu
2026 Maymester Study Abroad in Korea
May 6 (Wed.) - May 30(Sat.), 2025
Vanderbilt University
Dr. Seok Bae Jang
Contact: seok.jang@vanderbilt.edu
New Program Period: Wednesday, May 6th - Saturday, May 30st, 2025
Arrival in Korea: Wednesday, May 6th
Departure from Korea: Saturday, May 30st
Application Deadline: December 1st, 2025
https://geo.vanderbilt.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10080
Course Title: DISCOVER KOREA
Course Number: ASIA 1480
Credit Hours: [3] *The course credits can be counted toward non-language Korean minor credits.
AXLE: INT
College Core: Cultural & Interpretive Investigation (C)
No Pre-requisites
Instructor: Dr. Seok Bae Jang
*This course is not a Korean language course. You will get credits for AXLE International Culture / Cultural & Interpretive Investigation (C).
*No Korean language skills are required.
Cost-Per-Student: (estimation) $14,700
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 in early-November and is due in December 1, 2025. Eligible students must have a 2.7 GPA. 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 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.
Safety Plan:
This program will be partnered with RealAsia. RealAsia has overseen seven decades of experience creating safe, reliable, study abroad programs around the world with an excellent safety record. Each of CIEE’s site is regularly assessed using international risk management standards to make certain programs can be safely and successfully run. In addition, every participant is automatically covered by iNext medical and travel insurance, and is ensured the guidance of RealAsia onsite staff members, and 24/7 in-country emergency support.
www.vanderbilt.edu/immersion/funding/
GSF application deadline: December 1, 2025
The Office of Immersion Vanderbilt manages the Global Summer Fellows Scholarship for Vanderbilt-approved Maymester and Summer abroad programs.
No Maximum Limit of Scholarship from 2024!
The GSF application opens in early-November and is due in December 1st, 2025. Eligible students must have a 2.7 GPA. See below for details on associated funds. Students can meet with any GEO advisor to discuss questions they have about the Global Summer Fellows competition.
Please note: In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, all students must have a CSS profile for the current academic year on file with the Vanderbilt Office of Financial Aid prior to the application deadline.
International students are only eligible for the GSF competition if they are already receiving need-based aid from the university. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid directly.
Previous recipients of the Global Summer Fellows scholarship are not eligible for the competition. For successful scholarship applications, previous or concurrent Vanderbilt awards for summer activities may reduce the final Global Summer Fellows award.