Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Location

The Korean peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent. The peninsula is roughly 612 miles long and 105 miles wide at its narrowest point.
Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land mass, making it one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of Korea’s granite and limestone base has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys. The mountain range that stretches the length of the east coast plunges steeply into the East Sea, while along the southern and western coasts, the mountains descend gradually to the coastal plains that produce the bulk of Korea’s agricultural crops, especially rice.

With over ten million people, Seoul is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world. Downtown Seoul is Korea's center of politics, culture and economy, offering art galleries, music and drama festivals, theaters, Christian churches, ministries, government offices, embassies and department stores all within short distance from Yonsei University.

University

As the oldest private university in Korea, Yonsei University was first established in 1885 by Christian missionaries. Its spacious, quiet, well-wooded campus is located just 20 minutes away from downtown Seoul, in the Shinchon district. Shinchon is the core of Seoul's main tourist sights and shopping areas, and is the so-called "University Town." With a student population of approximately 50,000, Yonsei has 18 graduate schools, 19 colleges, and 111 subsidiary institutions. Yonsei is the leading institution of international education in Korea with over 420 partner universities in 42 countries around the world. Yonsei is regarded as the most forward looking, internationalized, and comprehensive university in Korea.

Academic Program

Areas of study available:

  • Korean Studies
  • Politics, Law and Culture
  • Science & Engineering
  • East Asian Studies
  • Business & Economics
  • Korean Language

For a complete list of courses taught in English, please click here. Select "Programs" from the top option bar, and then on the left-hand side of the screen, click on the appropriate semester's courses link.

For regular courses offered in Korean, please click here to see the course catalog.

Program Dates

Fall Semester: August 27 - December 21 (dates will be similar each year)
Application deadline: February 1

Spring Semester: February 20 - June 17 (dates will be similar each year)
Application deadline: February 1 of previous year

Program Costs

Exchange programs charge only regular JMU tuition, based on residency, while room and board are paid to the host institution.  Students are responsible for airfare and personal expenses.

SAMPLE BUDGET (one semester)

In-State Out-of-State
Tuition 3,930 10,312
Housing 1,200 1,200
Meals 1,600 1,600
Books 300 300
Personal Expenses 1,000 1,000
Airfare 1,500 1,500
Total Estimated Costs 9,530 15,912

Living expenses may vary greatly according to each individual's lifestyle.

Accommodations

Exchange students may apply to live Yonsei's International Student House. "Gukje Haksa" can accommodate up to 240 students in double rooms. A mixture of Korean and non-Korean students live in the house providing an international atmosphere, with separate wings for men and women. The primary language in the house is English. Every room is equipped with LAN connections for Internet use. It has shared refrigerators for student use, lounge areas, study areas, a recreation area, a lecture room, a computer room, and free laundry facilities. Dorm rooms are western-style, with twin beds, wardrobe closets, desks and small bookcases, as well as central heating and an air conditioner in each room. Students are responsible for purchasing their own meals at the one of the college cafeterias, or near of the university area's restaurants.

Students can also choose to live with a homestay or to find their own housing in studios, apartments or boarding houses.

Reflection Paper

All students who participate in a JMU exchange program will be required to write a reflection paper upon completion of the program which will be available for future participants to read. Please click here to read past reflection papers from JMU students at Yonsei University.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and be in good standing with the university.

How to Apply

Spaces are limited. Please meet with a study abroad advisor before applying. For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Exchange Programs.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Scholarships specifically for exchange programs are sometimes available. Check our website for current offerings. Most forms of financial aid apply to the cost of study abroad programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor for specific information about awards and eligibility. For more information, please click on the following link to the Financial Aid & Scholarships page.