Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Asia, South Korea
GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

Experience the summer at a top-ranked university in Korea by participating in the six-week Yonsei International Summer School (YISS). You will take 2 or 3 classes in English from a variety of disciplines including arts, culture, humanities, Korean studies, management, economics, social sciences, Korean language, East Asian Studies, science, technology, and environment.

You will also have the option to participate in a 20 hour per week internship and take one class alongside their internship. Along with your classes, you will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, such as K-pop dance, Taekwondo, visiting a folk village, and going on a tour of Seoul. The summer program is a good option for students who do not have prior experience in Asia or with Korean language.

Yonsei University offers a variety of resources and services for students, including academic advising, a disabled student support center, a global lounge, a counseling center, health center, and modern campus facilities. 

With more than 10 million residents, Seoul is the South Korean center of politics, culture, and the economy, where ministries, museums, palaces, theaters, and financial markets are located close together. Seoul is also the home to industry giants such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. As a leader of the IT revolution, Seoul is one of the most wired cities in the world. Yonsei’s quiet wooded campus is centrally located in Seoul, allowing you to easily access all that the city has to offer.

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2025 03/15/2025 Late June Mid-August (6-week program),
Late July (4-week program)

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about your enrollment will be made after you submit a complete application. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Successful applicants will receive a nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for this program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will take 2 or 3 classes, for around 10-15 UO credits total. You will have more than 100 classes in English to choose from in the following areas: arts, culture, humanities, Korean studies, management, economics, social sciences, Korean language, East Asian Studies, science, technology, and environment. Finalized classes and syllabi are usually posted several months before the start of the program, allowing you to work on the course equivalency process before going abroad. View the summer classes here.

Students who want to participate in the summer internship would receive around 3 semester credits (5 UO credits) from the internship and would take one additional class. Most internship placements require an advanced level in Korean, but there are a limited number of placements available for students with beginner or intermediate levels in Korean language. See more information about the internship option here.

In the summer program, you will earn around 10-15 UO credits.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Housing Description

Yonsei will provide some spaces for summer school students at two of their on-campus housing facilities, International House and SK Global House. Placement is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to a limited number of rooms, we strongly recommend you to apply for the on-campus housing as soon as you receive your admission number from Yonsei.

If you are not able to secure on-campus housing or prefer to stay in off-campus housing, you can refer to the following website for temporary housing and useful information. Please be advised that Yonsei will not arrange off-campus housing for students. For additional details about housing during the summer program, visit this page.