South Korea

COMPLETE YOUR TEAN APPLICATION

1. If you haven’t already started your application with TEAN, you will need to visit the apply now page to start the process. You will be asked to pay a $95 application deposit that is counted toward your total program fees.

2. Once you’ve submitted your application and paid the application deposit, our team will review your application.

3. After your application has been approved by TEAN you will receive an email from us with information on how to login to your account and access your application.

4. Now you can start to work on the checklist items listed for your application. You will see a list of things that need to be worked on including the following:

• TEAN Applicant Profile 
• Copy of Your Passport – see the step by step instructions below (let us know if you’re renewing).   
• Send the TEAN Statement from University electronically to your advisor at your home institution for completion 
• Emergency Contact Info  
• Academic Reference (if marked as required) 

As we move through the application process more forms and items will be added to your checklist by your Program Manager. So continue to check back for updates! 

As we move through the application process more forms and items will be added to your checklist by your Program Manager. So continue to check back for updates.

5. Submit your most recent transcripts

In order for us to fully accept you into the program, we will need to review your official transcripts. For students studying in the Spring semester, we will need transcripts including grades from the previous Spring semester. For Fall and Summer students, we require transcripts including grades from the previous Fall semester.

Please request an official copy of your transcripts, from all universities attended, be sent to our offices at:

The EDUCATION ABROAD Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735

TEAN PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE 

Once you complete the required forms in your TEAN application portal, your Program Manager will let you know that you are accepted to the program!  Once accepted, we will provide information on how you will pay for your program. If we do not have a billing agreement with your home institution, you will receive your program invoice at this time. Payment is due by your program’s payment deadline. We’ll send you more information on how to make payment, using financial aid, and the option of a payment plan. Please be prepared to make payment by your payment deadline in order to move forward with the program.  You can review more information regarding finances here.  

PROGRAM CONTRACT 

Your TEAN Program Contract will be available in your TEAN application portal once you apply. You must sign and upload your completed Program Contract by your program’s payment deadline. Please familiarize yourself with the cancellation policy below prior to signing your  contract. 

CANCELLATION POLICY 

The below cancellation policy applies if a student chooses to withdraw.  For our policy covering TEAN cancelling the program, please see here. 

This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of the reason. Your request to withdraw and receive a refund must be made in writing to TEAN. The $95 application deposit is non-refundable. If your application is denied due to eligibility requirements, your deposit will be fully refunded. Alternative payment arrangements (financial aid, payment plans, etc.) do not exempt you from this policy. Payment deadlines can be found on our Dates & Fees page. 

If you withdraw…  

• on or before the TEAN original payment due date, you are liable for the $95 application deposit  
• 1-9 days after the TEAN original payment due date, you are liable for $750 plus costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf  
• 10-20 days after the TEAN original payment due date, you are liable for $1,250 plus costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf. Summer program participants are liable for $1,000 plus costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.  
• 21 or more days after the TEAN original payment due date but prior to the final deadline for withdrawal, you are liable for $1,750 plus costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf. Summer program participants are liable for $1,500 plus costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.   

The final deadline to withdraw from any TEAN program is 14 days prior to the start date of the program. If you withdraw after this deadline, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, you are not eligible for any refund from TEAN.  

Signing and returning all documents in your student portal is your responsibility. If you fail to return the documents after repeated notification (email or call), you will be deemed withdrawn and will not be eligible for any refund.  

Housing confirmation fees are non-refundable after the TEAN original payment due date. If you change or defer to another TEAN program after your TEAN original payment due date, but prior to the final deadline to withdraw, TEAN will assess a $500 change fee plus costs incurred. Program changes are not permitted 1-14 days prior to the start of the program. Prior to your official acceptance, please refrain from booking flights for your program. TEAN reserves the right to adjust program dates to accommodate host university calendar changes and is not responsible for airline fare or ticket change fees incurred by program participants.   

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice. 

APPLY / RENEW YOUR PASSPORT

Obtaining a passport for international travel may take a considerable period of time as the State Department can often have a backlog of applications to work through. Therefore, it is crucial that you apply for your passport as early as possible to avoid any last minute complications. You can apply for your passport at your local U.S. Post Office.

You can obtain necessary information regarding passports from the U.S. Department of State: Passport Services Department,   download passport applications, find a nationwide list of passport agencies, etc. here.

VERIFY VALIDITY OF YOUR PASSPORT

As a condition of your student visa, your passport must be valid a minimum of six months after your anticipated return home. If your current passport is set to expire before then, you will need to apply for a renewal.

INFORM TEAN OF YOUR PASSPORT DETAILS

1. Scan a copy of your passport page with your photo and information on it.
2. Upload the scanned image to your TEAN application where it states, “Please upload a copy/photo of your passport (signature and picture page only).” Alternatively, email the scanned copy of your passport to your TEAN Program Manager.
3. Enter your passport information under the section titled, “TEAN Applicant Profile.”

Contacting TEAN

Email is the primary form of communication during the application and enrollment period. Please provide us with an email address you use regularly, as important program announcements and instructions will be sent via email. Also, please check your email on a regular basis and make sure to update your online application if you change your email address. Please also periodically check your junk mail to ensure that messages from TEAN are not begin filtered into “spam”. If they are, please add the TEAN email to your contacts. 

In addition, please be sure to include your full name on all correspondence (including emails). We work with many students so providing your full name will ensure timely responses to questions and inquiries.

Mailing Address

The EDUCATION ABROAD Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735

Telephone and Fax

Toll Free: 1-800-585-9658 (from within U.S.)
Local Number: 1-312-239-3710 (from outside of U.S.)
Fax: 1-312-239-3713

Office Hours

TEAN is open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Central Standard Time and observes all major holidays. If these hours are not convenient, you may schedule a time outside of our normal business hours to speak with us. If you are currently living outside of the U.S., it is possible to set up a time to Skype and get to know your Program Managers.

Important Dates

We finalize our program calendar several months before each semester abroad. During that time, we work with our overseas partner universities in order to determine our orientation schedule. We will provide updated information pertaining to orientation, key semester dates, flights and excursions once our program calendar has been finalized. We will send you an email notification once the updated calendar information has been posted on the website so you can plan accordingly.

Once the program calendar has been finalized, we will post this information on our website and you’ll be notified by your Program Manager. Once the calendar has been released, all dates are still subject to change. While we do not anticipate any date changes once the calendar has been finalized, we reserve the right to make changes, particularly if one of our partner universities institutes their own date modification. All program participants will be contacted in the event of a date change.

Program Start Dates

The program officially begins at the start of our Orientation Program in Seoul, Korea. Students arriving in advance of our orientation will be responsible for their own transportation from the airport and any necessary accommodations prior to the orientation start date.

Flights

Most airlines do not allow open-ended tickets and now require international passengers to select a return date at the time of booking their flight. Return dates can be changed, subject to availability, but program participants should initially book a return flight home no earlier than one day after their university exams are scheduled to finish. After receiving their final exam schedule, participants can change their return to an earlier date, if their schedule permits. However, participants should not rely on professors allowing exams to be taken prior to the official exam date, as professors are under no obligation to accommodate such requests. For example, if the student’s last exam is December 17th, they should not rely on rescheduling it so they can return home early. 

DEADLINES AND CANCELLATION POLICY 

If you haven’t already, please start your TEAN application prior to your program’s application deadline.  Your payment for the program (unless we have a billing agreement with your home institution) and Program Contract are due by your program’s payment deadline. You can find both deadlines on our Dates & Fees page. You must also reach out to your home institution’s study abroad office to ensure you meet any of their deadlines to study abroad. 

Please review the cancellation policy in the ‘Program Acceptance’ section above for important dates should you choose to withdraw your application. 

Housing Dates

We provide housing until one day after the final day of university exams. Study abroad students generally finish their exams before the last scheduled exam date so students should have plenty of time to prepare for their departure. Please also pay particular attention to the housing move-in dates. We are unable to make exceptions for early move-in requests due to the complexity of housing logistics.

Program Dates

• Korea University Semester
• Korea University Summer
• Korea University Winter
• Hanyang University Semester
• Hanyang University Summer
• Hanyang University Winter
• Pusan National University Semester
• Pusan National University Summer

Diversity and Identity

One of our main goals at TEAN is to make sure all of our students are thoroughly supported from day one of the study abroad process. Embracing diversity in all its forms is very important to us. We’re dedicated to providing the most information and resources possible so students can make an informed decision on what program will best suit them, both academically and personally. We encourage all students to read through our Diversity and Identity page of our website to find resources useful for you directly and learn more about the students you will be studying abroad with.

Program Model in South Korea

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Korea University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to a majority of the courses offered throughout the university’s academic departments. Forty percent of KU’s courses are taught in English, so TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend many of the same classes as local students who are looking to improve their English-language skills.

Please Note: Korea University does not typically release their course selection options until a couple weeks before you depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses about two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Contact Hours

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 19 credits per semester. Most courses are 3 credits and meet for three hours per week. As the semester is 16 weeks in length, courses are typically 45 contact hours total for the term. Final credit allotment is at the discretion of each student’s home university and is typically based off of the total number of contact hours for each course.

Course Registration

Students will complete an online course registration process prior to arriving on campus, which allows students to register into classes at the same time as local Korean students. This will be one of the most important steps you will encounter throughout this entire process.

Korea University also has a very strict add/drop period, which occurs once students arrive on campus during the second week of classes. When it comes time to register, you will choose from the list of 8+ classes you have been approved for at your home university. If you choose to register for courses that have not been pre-approved by your home university, it is your responsibility to communicate with your university to gain the necessary approval.

More information about course registration will be made available closer to your departure for Seoul.

selecting your courses

1. Click HERE for Korea University list.
   1. • Close out of the pop-up box that will appear
      • In the white box titled ‘Course Registration’, select the ‘English’ box.
      • Scroll down and click ‘Search course more +’
      • In the Year and Season boxes, enter the term one full year prior to your program.
      • Campus – Seoul
      • College Section – College
      • Classification – You will review courses under ‘Major’ or ‘General Studies’. Most department-specific courses will be under Major.
        1. 1. • The Korean language courses are found in General Studies – Electives. The course codes are IFLS108 (Beginner’s Korean I), IFLS109 (Beginner’s Korean II), IFLS110 (Intermediate Korean I), IFLS111 (Intermediate Korean II), and IFLS112 (Advanced Korean I).
              • The second dropdown menu lists the Schools/Colleges and the third menu lists the departments within that School/College.
      • All courses taught in English will have ‘(English)’ at the end of the Course Name.
      • Only courses with a check mark in the ‘3)X’ column are open to visiting students.
      • When you click on the Course Code, the course information will pop up. If a syllabus is available, it will be attached near the bottom of the page.
      • Remember, the courses you choose MUST have a checkmark in the ‘3)X’ column and must list ‘(English)’ in the course name (unless you are fluent in Korean or it is a Korean language course). Please also review the Special Notes on Courses section below.
   2. Arrange for a meeting with your academic advisor in order to have these courses approved for credit transfer at your home university.
   3. Once you have made your course selections, submit them online in your TEAN online application. Please be sure to include the KU College and Department in the comments.

Example

Course Name: DEMOCRACY AND CAPITALISM (English) 
Course University: Korea University 
Course Code: POLI431 
Course Period of Study: Fall or Spring Semester that you are attending 
Course Credit Points: 3 
Course Comments: College of Political Science & Economics/Department of Political Science & Int’l Relations

Special Notes on courses

Competitive Classes

Business, Media, and International Studies courses (course codes beginning with BUSS, JMCO, and DISS) at Korea University are extremely competitive and space is often limited. These courses often fill up very quickly during registration. If you are expecting to take courses in these subjects at KU, please be sure to have a few options that you can choose from, and alternative courses in case you are placed on a waiting list or denied entry due to class size.

Courses that are not available

Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, Teacher Education, Division of Information Security, Exercise Science, and Art & Design courses are not open to study abroad students.

Korean Language Classes

Korean language courses are offered each semester in five levels, from beginner to advanced. Anyone planning to take a Korean course above the first level will take a placement test at KU orientation to ensure you are placed into the correct level.

• Beginner’s Korean 1 (IFLS108) is designed to give students basic knowledge of simple everyday Korean, listening and correct pronunciation practice, the Korean alphabet and fundamental sentence structure.
• Beginner’s Korean II (IFLS109) provides students with more expressions in Korean, listening and correct pronunciation practice, reviewing and building upon basic grammar, and beginner composition.
• Intermediate Korean I (IFLS110) focuses on conversation, constructing Korean sentences, expanding vocabulary, and broadening students’ understanding of Korean life and culture.
• Intermediate Korean II (IFLS111) aims to expand on vocabulary and expressions necessary for business dealings, understanding the culture more in depth, and improving reading, writing, and listening skills.
• Advanced Korean I (IFLS112) provides students with knowledge and discussions of social issues, enhances ability to effectively communicate with idiomatic expressions, and gives tools to research and present on advanced topics.

Popular courses

Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.

POPULAR COURSES OFFERED IN ENGLISH

Business

Communications & Media

Education

Engineering

Environment

Health

Humanities & Social Sciences

International Studies

Science

Choose Earth  

The Choose Earth Program is an opt-in experiential learning opportunity that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students and participants need to become locally engaged, civically minded, and globally responsible. Understanding how your individual choices made at the local level have a global impact is essential! By engaging as many participants as possible with Choose Earth, our collective actions will positively impact the planet’s vitality, diversity, and longevity. 

If you would like to participate in our Choose Earth Micro-Credential, click here for more information.  

Check out these other great courses that are available for standard credits! 

• ACEE226: Environmental Engineering I
• LESE203: Natural Resource Economics
• LIET201: Ecology
• LIET227: Environmental Science
• PAPP357: Environmental Policy
• POLI364: East Asia in World Politics
• SOCI255: Environmental Sociology

PROGRAM MODEL IN SOUTH KOREA 

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Yonsei University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to a majority of the courses offered throughout the university’s academic departments.  TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend many of the same classes as local and international students who are looking to improve their English-language skills. 

Please Note: Yonsei University does not typically release their course selection options until about a month depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses about 3 – 4 weeks prior to the start of the semester. 

CONTACT HOURS 

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 12 credits per semester (Maximum 18 credits).  Students should plan to take 4-5 courses, which usually transfers as 12-15 U.S. semester credits. Most courses are 3 credits and meet for three hours per week. As classes meet for 16 weeks, courses are typically 45 contact hours total for the term. Final credit allotment is at the discretion of each student’s home university and is typically based off of the total number of contact hours for each course.  

COURSE REGISTRATION 

Students will complete an online course registration process prior to arriving on campus, which allows students to register into classes at the same time as local students. This will be one of the most important steps you will encounter throughout this entire process. Course registration can be very competitive, especially for certain departments. You can read more on this under the Special Notes section below. 

Yonsei University also has a very strict add/drop period, which occurs after classes start. There is only a three-day period to make changes to your courses. 

More information about course registration will be made available closer to your departure for Seoul. 

SELECTING YOUR COURSES 

1. Click HERE to go to the Yonsei Course Search portal 
   • After changing the site’s language to ENG (Language option on the top right corner), click on the “Search course handbook” banner under ‘Yonsei Service’ section. 
   • Select the Academic Year prior to the year you will be abroad, as 2024 courses are not available yet.  
   • Example: 2024 students should select Academic year = 2023 
     • Note that Yonsei’s academic year runs the same as the calendar year. (Spring semester: 1st semester, Fall semester: 2nd semester) 
   • Spring students select 1st semester 
   • Fall students select 2nd semester 
   • Division = Undergraduate (Sinchon) 
   • Make sure ‘Campus’ is set to Sinchon
   • Click the View all English Courses button to see all courses offered in English for your chosen semester 
   • Search for specific courses by choosing College and Department (Undergraduate) or by inserting course title or course code in the search box if you know it. 
   • Undergraduate course numbers range from 1000 (lower division) to 4000 (upper division). 5000-level courses and above are graduate courses and therefore not available to you. 
   • Under “Eligibility of Exchange Student” column, “Y” means the course is open to exchange/visiting students while “N” means the course is not open to exchange/ visiting students. You must only choose courses that have a ‘Y’ in this column. 
   • Course code is under ‘School No. Classification’ column 
   • Click the red icon under the Outline column to see a brief course description 
   • Click the blue document icon under the Plan column to download and save the syllabus
   • Read the special notes below before choosing courses!
2. Meet with your home university to approve at least 8 courses (have at least 4 backups approved in case your preferred courses are unavailable).  
3. To search for syllabus, click on the icon under the column that says “Plan”. A new window will appear and you will be able to see the full syllabus of the course.  
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application.  

EXAMPLE

Course Name: KOREAN POPULAR CULTURE AND KOREAN WAVE
Course University: Yonsei University 
Course Code: IEE1154
Course Period of Study: Fall or Spring Semester that you are attending 
Course Credit Points: 3 
Course Comments: N/A 

Note: Yonsei University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses). 

SPECIAL NOTES ON COURSES

COMPETITIVE CLASSES

Business Administration (course code BIZ), Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence courses are extremely competitive and space is often extremely limited. These courses often fill up very quickly during registration. If you are expecting to take business or computer science courses at Yonsei, please be sure to have a few options that you can choose from, and alternative courses in case you are placed on a waiting list or denied entry due to class size.  

If you want to take business courses from the Department of Business Administration (BIZ), please note these are only open to students applied to Yonsei as a business major. You must let your Program Manager know AND submit your TEAN Course Selection form with BIZ courses so that we know to apply you as a business student. 

If you do not wish to take BIZ courses, you can still take business-related courses offered by the Department of Economics (Course code: ECO) as well as Study Abroad Courses (Course code: IEE). Non-business major students are allowed to register for these business-related courses offered by departments other than the Department of Business Administration (BIZ). 

Please note that courses in the Business department are extremely competitive.  If you wish to take all courses in the business department, please contact your program manager first 

COURSES THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE

Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Music, MBA, Law School, and some courses offered at the Songdo International Campus (mostly UIC courses) are NOT available to TEAN students. 

KOREAN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Special Intensive Korean Language Courses are offered for international exchange and visiting students at Yonsei University through our Korean Language Institute. Taking a Korean Language Course is optional. 

For those who feel that the 6-credit KLI Korean Language Course is too intensive, you may consider the 3-credit Korean Language Course, IEE3341 Korean (1), offered by Office of International Office. The IEE Korean Language course would allow you to take one more non-language course since it is only 3 credits.  

• About KLI Intensive Korean Language Course 
• Levels: 6
• Time Period: 8-9 class period (4:00-5:50 pm)
• Total In-class Hour: About 160 hours (Monday through Friday for 16 weeks)
• Credit: 6 credits (This credit will be counted towards the Maximum Course Load)
• Course Codes:  
  • KLI1001  
  • KLI1002 
  • KLI1003 
  • KLI1004 
  • KLI1005 
  • KLI1006 
• Course Title: Intensive Korean Language Course Level 1-6
• How to find courses: Yonsei Portal Service – Course Catalogue and Syllabus – Undergraduate Programs – Study Abroad Course – Korean Language – KLI1001~KLI1006 

Note: Selection of a Level for an Intensive Korean Language Course should be based on the student’s own judgment, as there will be a mandatory Placement Test on the first day of class to adjust his or her Korean Language Course level. If the level is too difficult or too easy, it will be adjusted during the Course Add and Drop Period.  

CLASSES FOR STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS

Yonsei’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) offers “Study Abroad Courses” which are exclusively open to exchange/visiting students only. There are approximately 55 courses and they are conducted entirely in English. These course codes begin with IEE. The IEE coded courses can be found under College = Study Abroad Course in Undergraduate level. 

Program Model in South Korea

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Hanyang University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to a majority of the courses offered throughout the university’s academic departments.  TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend many of the same classes as local and international students who are looking to improve their English-language skills.

Please Note: Hanyang University does not typically release their course selection options until a few weeks before you depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses about three weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Contact Hours

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 12 credits per semester.  Students should plan to take 4-5 courses, which usually transfers as 12-15 U.S. semester credits. Most courses are 3 credits and meet for three hours per week. As classes meet for 16 weeks, courses are typically 45 contact hours total for the term. Final credit allotment is at the discretion of each student’s home university and is typically based off of the total number of contact hours for each course.

COURSE REGISTRATION

Students will complete an online course registration process prior to arriving on campus, which allows students to register into classes at the same time as local Korean students. This will be one of the most important steps you will encounter throughout this entire process.

Hanyang University also has a very strict add/drop period, which occurs once students arrive on campus during the second week of classes. When it comes time to register, you will choose from the list of 8+ classes you have been approved for at your home university. If you choose to register for courses that have not been pre-approved by your home university, it is your responsibility to communicate with your university to gain the necessary approval.

More information about course registration will be made available closer to your departure for Seoul.

Selecting your Courses

1. Click HERE for Hanyang University course list.
   • Click the Find Courses button to search for syllabi
   • Select Course Catalog in the top left corner
   • Change the search term to one year prior to your program (for example, Fall 2022 students would search for Fall 2021), select ‘English-Only Courses‘, then click search
   • Click ‘Course Code’ for Course Description, ‘Course no.’ for Syllabus, and ‘Detailed Info‘ for the Grade Type. 
   • Korean Language 1 & 2 are offered separately through the Hanyang Korean Language Center on campus . Reach out to the South Korea Program Manager for a syllabus.
2. Meet with your home university to approve at least 8 courses (have at least 4 backups approved in case your preferred courses are unavailable).
3. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application. 

Please Note: Hanyang University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses).

POPULAR COURSES

Popular courses offered in English

Business

Communications & Media

Engineering

Humanities & Social Sciences

International Studies

Science

Visual & Performing Arts and Design

CHOOSE EARTH

The Choose Earth Program is an opt-in experiential learning opportunity that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students and participants need to become locally engaged, civically minded, and globally responsible. Understanding how your individual choices made at the local level have a global impact is essential! By engaging as many participants as possible with Choose Earth, our collective actions will positively impact the planet’s vitality, diversity, and longevity. 

If you would like to participate in our Choose Earth Micro-Credential, click here for more information.  

Check out these other great courses that are available for standard credits! 

• CUL3101 Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in Korea 
• DIS2036 Energy Security and Geopolitics in Asia

Program Model in South Korea

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Sogang University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to a majority of the courses offered throughout the university’s academic departments. TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend many of the same classes as local students who are looking to improve their English-language skills. 

Please Note: Sogang University does not typically release their course selection options until a couple weeks before you depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses around 3 – 4 weeks prior to the start of the semester. 

Contact Hours

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Students should plan to take 4-5 courses, which usually transfers as 12-15 U.S. semester credits. Most courses are 3 credits and meet for three hours per week. As the semester is 16 weeks in length, courses are typically 45 contact hours total for the term. Final credit allotment is at the discretion of each student’s home university and is typically based off of the total number of contact hours for each course. 

COURSE REGISTRATION

More information about course registration will be made available closer to your departure for Seoul. 

Selecting your Courses

1. 1. Click HERE for Sogang University list. 
      • Select ‘Academic Year 2023’ under Year/Semester Offered
      • Courses for 2024 are not available yet, so you will look at courses that were offered the previous year
      • Click 1st SEMESTER to see courses offered during the Spring term
        • 1st Semester = Spring Term
        • 2nd Semester = Fall Term 
        • Search Condition: Program 
        • Academic Level/Program: Click the Undergraduate School 
        • You can then search by department/discipline or Electives
        • Click Search to find available courses
        • Click the Inquiry button to download syllabi
        • Scroll sideways to see the number of credits per course, if the course is taught in English, and the ‘Target’ level of student the course is geared towards (Freshman through Senior)
      • Courses taught in English vary each semester.
2. You can take up to 15 credits at Sogang. The tuition price is the same regardless of how many courses you take. Most students take 12-15 credits pending on your home university requirement. You must meet full time status by your home requirements or financial aid needs.
3. Arrange for a meeting with your academic advisor in order to have these courses approved for credit transfer at your home university.
4. Once you have made your course selections, submit them online in your TEAN online application. 

EXAMPLE 

Course Name: * International Finance
Course University: Sogang University
Course Code: ECO3011
Course Period of Study: Fall or Spring Semester that you are attending
Course Credit Points: 3 credits
Course Comments: N/A 

Special Notes on courses

COMPETITIVE CLASSES

Business Administration, Journalism, Media and Entertainment, and Art & Technology courses at Sogang are extremely competitive and space is often limited. These courses often fill up very quickly during registration. If you are expecting to take courses in these subjects at Sogang, please be sure to have a few options that you can choose from, and alternative courses. Course selection is not guaranteed.

CHOOSE EARTH

The Choose Earth Program is an opt-in experiential learning opportunity that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students and participants need to become locally engaged, civically minded, and globally responsible. Understanding how your individual choices made at the local level have a global impact is essential! By engaging as many participants as possible with Choose Earth, our collective actions will positively impact the planet’s vitality, diversity, and longevity. If you would like to participate in our Choose Earth Micro-Credential, click here for more information.  

Program Model in South Korea

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Pusan National University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to courses offered through the university, as well as access to campus amenities.  TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend the same classes as local and international students who are looking to improve their English-language skills.

Please Note: Pusan National University does not typically release their course selection options until a few weeks before you depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses about three weeks prior to the start of the semester.

All TEAN students are registered as Business Majors. This allows students to register for courses taught in English from the Business Department and Global Studies. Students can still register for courses from other departments that allow other majors.

Contact Hours

Students enroll in 4–5 courses per semester (3 credits), which usually transfers as 12-15 U.S. semester credits. The participant’s home university will determine ultimate credit approval and transfer.

Selecting your Courses

Select your courses by reviewing the previous year course list on PNU’s website.  Follow the below instructions carefully:

• Click this link to view the PNU Course List
• Change language setting in upper right corner to English on the site itself (not just through google settings)
• Select previous year and semester (1st semester = Spring, 2nd semester = Fall)
• Program = College
• College/Graduate School = Undergraduate
• Search Method = As per Area & Department
• Course Division

• Start with first year regardless of current status, TEAN students can enroll in any year
• Core Competency = All
• Courses in Foreign Languages = English
• Click blue Search button
• For courses outside of Global Studies

• Korean Language Courses
• Course Title = type Korean
• Courses In Foreign Language = All
• All courses with Korean in title will appear
• Type name of courses exactly from below for specific Korean language course
• Beginner’s Korean(I)
• Intermediate Korean(I) or (II)
• Understanding Korean Culture
• Learning Korean in Current Events
• Learning Korean in Drama
• Learning Korean in Songs
• Download syllabus
• Scroll to right and click on the square box with ENG in the syllabus column

POPULAR COURSES

POPULAR COURSES OFFERED IN ENGLISH

Business

Communications & Media

Humanities & Social Sciences

International Studies

Choose Earth

The Choose Earth Program is an opt-in experiential learning opportunity that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students and participants need to become locally engaged, civically minded, and globally responsible. Understanding how your individual choices made at the local level have a global impact is essential! By engaging as many participants as possible with Choose Earth, our collective actions will positively impact the planet’s vitality, diversity, and longevity. 

If you would like to participate in our Choose Earth Micro-Credential, click here for more information.  

Check out these other great courses that are available for standard credits! 

• GS34940 Humanitarianism
• GS35649 Social Movements
• GS34941 Middle East: Politics and Foreign Policy
• GS35752 International Relations and Politics
• GS35780 World Religions and Cultures 
• GS36204 Culture, Science, and Mind
• KE36216 East Asia in the News
• KE36122 Korean Culture And Society

PROGRAM MODEL IN SOUTH KOREA 

TEAN has established an integrated direct enrollment model with Sejong University. By enrolling our students directly, we are able to give you access to a majority of the courses offered throughout the university’s academic departments. TEAN students will get the opportunity to attend many of the same classes as local students who are looking to improve their English-language skills. 

Please Note: Sejong University does not typically release their course selection options until a couple weeks before you depart for the program. We are able to provide you with courses that have been offered during previous semesters so you can gain approval from your home institution in advance. Your program manager will work hard to distribute the course details as soon as it is released from the university. You will enroll in your courses about 3 – 4 weeks prior to the start of the semester. 

CONTACT HOURS 

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Students should plan to take 4-5 courses, which usually transfers as 12-15 U.S. semester credits. Most courses are 3 credits and meet for three hours per week. Final credit allotment is at the discretion of each student’s home university and is typically based off of the total number of contact hours for each course. 

SELECTING YOUR COURSES  

1. Click HERE for Sejong University course list. 
   • Select ‘Undergraduate’ under Organization/Classification Offered 
     • Courses for the upcoming term are not available yet, so you will look at courses that were offered the previous year.
   • Click 1st SEMESTER to see courses offered during the Spring term 
     • 1st Semester = Spring Term 
     • 2nd Semester = Fall Term 
   • Search by Department not Completion type or Selected Area 
   • Click Search to find available courses 
   • Click the Course Syllabus button to download syllabi 
   • Scroll sideways to see the number of credits per course, if the course is taught in English, and the ‘Year’ level of student the course is geared towards (Freshman through Senior) 
   • Courses taught in English vary each semester. 
2. You can take up to 15 credits at Sejong. The tuition price is the same regardless of how many courses you take. Most students take 12-15 credits pending on your home university requirement. You must meet full time status by your home requirements or financial aid needs. 
3. Arrange for a meeting with your academic advisor in order to have these courses approved for credit transfer at your home university. 
4. Once you have made your course selections, submit them online in your TEAN online application.  

EXAMPLE 

Course Name: Financial Management in Hotel and Tourism
Course University: Sejong University
Course Code: 00407
Course Period of Study: Fall or Spring Semester that you are attending
Course Credit Points: 3 credits
Course Comments: N/A 

CHOOSE EARTH   

The Choose Earth Program is an opt-in experiential learning opportunity that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students and participants need to become locally engaged, civically minded, and globally responsible. Understanding how your individual choices made at the local level have a global impact is essential! By engaging as many participants as possible with Choose Earth, our collective actions will positively impact the planet’s vitality, diversity, and longevity.  

If you would like to participate in our Choose Earth Micro-Credential, click here for more information.   

Courses and Credits

Korea University’s International Summer Campus is the largest summer school in Asia and welcomes students from all over the world. Courses are taught by international faculty members from renowned universities and cover a range of disciplines. 

Students attending the International Summer Campus are able to select between a four or six-week program (the most popular program is the six-week). Students may take 1 or 2 courses during the 4-week program or must take 2 courses during the 6-week program.  Students wishing to take a third course should speak to their TEAN Program Manager when they apply.  Students will enroll in courses during the application period with TEAN.  Courses will be confirmed prior to the program start.

Each course is 3 credits and usually meet four times a week.  Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits, but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval.

Students who enroll in an upper level Korean language course will take a Korean Language Placement Test on the second day of the program and may be placed in a different level based on their results.

Selecting Your Courses

1. Review the Summer Course Listings on KU’s International Summer Campus website. Be sure to select courses for your chosen program length (4-week or 6-week).
2. If taking 2 courses, make sure you check the ‘Time’ column so you don’t choose 2 courses offered during the same period. 
3. Click near the course title to download the syllabi.
4. Meet with your home university to approve at least 2-3 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full).
5. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application.

Popular Courses

Business:

• ISC129 Strategic Management
• ISC312 International Business
• ISC392 Sustainability Strategies

Communications & Media:

• ISC181 Media, Art, Culture, and Society
• ISC282 Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea

Humanities & Social Sciences:

• ISC141 Introduction to Sociology
• ISC236 Abnormal Psychology
• ISC281 Contemporary Korean Society
• IKL211 Beginning Korean-I

Science:

• ISC207 Statistics

Courses and Credits

Students attending Hanyang’s International Summer School can enroll in 1-3 courses in a range of disciplines. Academic courses are 3 credits, meeting for 45 contact hours. Elective courses are 1 credit, meeting for 15 contact hours. You can see the amount of credits for each course by following the ‘Selecting your Courses’ instructions, below.

Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits, but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval.

Students will enroll in courses once course registration opens, typically in April.  There are multiple rounds of course registration, but it’s best if students can finish their application materials by early April so that they are ready for the first round. If a student applies later, they can still register during the later rounds. Courses will be confirmed prior to the program start.

Selecting your Courses

1. Review the Summer Course Listings on Hanyang’s International Summer School website. 
2. Click the course title to see the course description, credit details, and to download the syllabi. 
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 3-4 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full or your courses are held during the same time).
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application.
5. Some courses are graded as a Pass/Fail. To determine what is the grade type of the course go to Hanyang’s Course Catalog page
   • College/School – Search by International Winter School(Seoul)
   • Select English-only courses and search
   • Choose the course you plan to take
   • Go to ‘Detailed Info’ column and click on the icon to determine the grade type.

Please Note: Hanyang University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses).  

POPULAR COURSES

Business:

• BUS2025 Business Communication
• BUS3002 Financial Management
• BUS3014 Consumer Behavior
• DIS3022 International Marketing

Engineering:

• COE2052 Solid Mechanics
• ENE4019 Computer Networks
• ITE1010 C++ Programming

Health:

• ISS1090 Adulthood and Aging
• ISS1096 Principles of Nutrition

Humanities & Social Sciences:

• ISS1155 Exploring Seoul: Geography of the City
• ISS1119 Psychology of Happiness
• ISS1121 Introduction to Criminology

International Studies:

• DIS1018 Global Ethics
• DIS2046 Korean History and Culture
• ISS1081 Korean Language 1 (Basic)
• ISS1082 Korean Language 2 (Beginning)
• ISS1138 The Rise of the Korean Wave
• PSD2022 International Relations in East Asia

Visual, Performing Arts, & Design:

• ISS1076 Digital Studio
• ISS1114 Korean Pop Dance
• ISS1115 Korean Pop Vocal
• ISS1058 Korean Traditional Fan Dance

Courses and Credits

TEAN’s Summer in Busan program includes 1 course of 30 hours of basic or intermediate Korean language according to the student’s level. A placement exam will be taken on the first day of class to determine level. The course includes required cultural activities. Classes are held Monday through Friday with field trips on Wednesdays and weekends. No course enrollment required. The course is worth 3 PNU credits, which typically transfers back as 3 U.S. semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. The participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval.

COURSES

• Experiencing Korean culture by visiting attractive tourist spots in Busan : Gamcheon Culture Village, Nampo-dong Gukje Market, Lotte World Adventure Busan, Haeundae Blueline Park
• K-culture activities : Taekwondo and K-pop dance class
• Three special lectures on Sustainable Development by PNU professors

Courses and Credits

Yonsei University’s International Summer School first opened its doors in 1985 and since then, has become an integral part of campus life based on a unique blend of Korean and global cultures. The program offers courses from the arts, culture, and humanities while also offering cutting-edge classes in management and economics, global issues, history, social sciences, and science and technology. 

Students attending the International Summer Campus can select between a four or six-week program. Students may take 1 or 2 courses during the 4-week program or take 2 courses during the 6-week program. Students wishing to take a third course should speak to their TEAN Program Manager when they apply. Students will enroll in courses on their own during the course registration period. 

Each course is 3 credits and usually meet four times a week. Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits, but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval. 

SELECTING YOUR COURSES 

1. Review the 2024 Summer Course Listings on Yonsei’s Summer School website.  
2. See the Academic Fields tab to see which courses are offered in each major/field.  
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 3-4 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full or your courses are held during the same time). 
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application. 

Please Note: Yonsei University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses).  

COURSES AND CREDITS 

Students attending Sogang’s International Summer School can enroll in 1-2 courses in a range of disciplines. Academic courses are 3 credits, meeting for a total of 45 contact hours. You can see the amount of credits for each course by following the ‘Selecting your Courses’ instructions, below. 

Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits, but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval. 

Students will enroll in courses once course registration opens, typically in April.  There are multiple rounds of course registration, but it’s best if students can finish their application materials by early April so that they are ready for the first round. If a student applies later, they can still register during the later rounds. Courses will be confirmed prior to the program start. 

SELECTING YOUR COURSES 

1. Review the Summer Course Listings on Sogang’s International Summer Program website.  
2. Click the course title to see the course description, credit details, and to download the syllabi.  
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 3-4 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full or your courses are held during the same time). 
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application. 
5. For Korean Language classes, a placement test will be required and students will be placed to different class level upon their placement test result, students can be assigned to different classes regardless of which classes they apply for. 

Please Note: Sogang University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses).   

Courses and Credits

Students attending Korea University’s International Winter Campus can enroll in 1 course to gain 3 credits over the winter break. Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits (or 4.5 quarter credits), but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval.  

Students will enroll in their course during the application process, but can make changes up until the first two days of classes during the add/drop period. 

Classes are held Monday-Friday during either the morning session (Period 1) or the afternoon session (Period 2).

Selecting Your Courses

1. Review the Winter Course Listing on KU’s International Winter Campus website.  Click the Period 1 dropdown if you’d like to take a morning course or the Period 2 dropdown for afternoon courses.
2. Click near the course title to download the syllabi. 
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 2 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full).
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application. 

Popular Courses

Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.

Business:

• IWC205 Introduction to Marketing
• IWC312 International Business 

International Studies:

• IKL211 Beginning Korean I (Alphabet Class)
• IKL221 Beginning Korean II
• IWC282 Mass Media & Popular Culture in Korea
• IWC283 Korean Cinema & Visual Culture 

Courses and Credits

Courses are usually confirmed a few months prior to the program start. Students will typically take 1 course worth 3 Hanyang University credits (3 U.S. semester credits). There may be an option to add on a 1-credit course, totaling to 4 U.S. semester credits for the program. The participant’s home university will determine ultimate credit approval and transfer.

Students will enroll in courses once course registration opens, typically in October.  There are multiple rounds of course registration, but it’s best if students can finish their application materials by October so that they are ready for the first round. If a student applies later, they can still register during the later rounds. Courses will be confirmed prior to the program start.

Courses are held Monday-Friday, typically for 4.5 hours with a break in the middle of class. 3 credit courses are 45 contact hours.

Selecting Your Courses

1. Review the Winter Course Listings on Hanyang’s International Winter School website. Please note courses are usually confirmed a few months prior to the program start. Courses are subject to change.
2. Click the course title to see the course description, credit details, and to download the syllabi. 
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 2 courses (have 1-2 backups approved in case your preferred course is full).
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application.
5. Some courses are graded as a Pass/Fail. To determine what is the grade type of the course go to Hanyang’s Course Catalog page
   • College/School – Search by International Winter School(Seoul)
   • Select English-only courses and search
   • Choose the course you plan to take
   • Go to ‘Detailed Info’ column and click on the icon to determine the grade type.

Please Note: Hanyang University does not pre-approve your course selections, so it is your responsibility to select courses that you are qualified to take while abroad (i.e., don’t take high-level courses if you haven’t taken the appropriate introductory-level courses).  

Popular Courses

Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.

Business:

• BUS4019 Strategic Management
• ISS1142 AI and Finance 

Humanities & Social Studies:

• PAD1055 Introduction to Psychology 

International Studies:

• ISS1081 Korean Language 1 – Beginning
• ISS1138 The Rise of the Korean Wave 

COURSES AND CREDITS 

Students attending Yonsei University’s International Winter Campus can enroll in 1 course to gain 3 credits over the winter break. Courses typically transfer back as 3 U.S. semester credits (or 4.5 quarter credits), but the participant’s home university will ultimately determine credit transfer and approval.   

Students will enroll in their course during the course registration period, closer to the program start date. but can make changes during the add/drop period.  

Classes are held Monday-Friday during either Period 1 (9:30am-12:00pm) or Period 2 (1:30pm-4:00pm).  TEAN students should only enroll in in-person courses (not Video Lectures). 

Please note that courses must meet a minimum of 8 registered students in order to run.  Yonsei may make changes to courses without notice. 

selecting your courses

1. Review the Winter Course Listing on Yonsei’s International Winter Campus website.  Review the courses offered in Period 1 and Period 2. 
2. Click Download under the Syllabus column to download syllabi. 
3. Meet with your home university to approve at least 2 courses (have 1 backup approved in case your preferred course is full). 
4. Enter your courses in order of preference in the TEAN Course Selection form in your TEAN Application.  Course 1 = your preferred course, Course 2 = your backup course. 

You will register for your course during Yonsei’s course registration period.  More details will be sent in late November/early December. 

Schedule Meeting with Academic Advisor

It is highly recommended that you have your academic advisor approve your classes before leaving if you wish to ensure you receive transfer credit. If you do not wish to receive any credit when you return home you may be able to forego the approval process. Some students negotiate the credit transfer issues when they return from their program, but at the very minimum you should at least meet with your academic advisor/dean before departure so they are fully aware you will be studying abroad. They will be able to help you select courses that will count toward your major and that will be easily transferable for credit when you return. 

Schedule Meeting with Study Abroad Office

Contact your study abroad office at your home university to discuss study abroad credit approval and other specific procedures to be completed for your program overseas. This is an important step as it may reveal crucial steps towards avoiding complications and making your transition abroad seamless. In addition, your study abroad advisor will need to sign our “Statement from University” form. You can send this to them from your online application.

Schedule Meeting with Financial Aid Advisor

While we strive to keep our programs affordable, we recognize that many students need financial help. The good news is that most financial aid you may be currently receiving is applicable toward study abroad. Generally, you can transfer federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, that do not need to be repaid until after graduation.

See the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 102-325, 106 Stat.448): The act was reauthorized in the summer of 1992 to include a number of provisions to facilitate the use of federal financial aid for study abroad. (NAFSA:  Association of International Educators Newsletter, Volume 44, No 3/Dec-Jan 1993).

The U.S. Department of Education advised that the Perkins Loans, SSIG Grant Program, Pell Grants, FSEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, SLS loans, PLUS Loans and Consolidation loans can now be used for study abroad. Your study abroad experience does not have to be compulsory for your degree program in order to apply your aid. Please contact your home institution financial aid office to discuss your financial aid options for study abroad.

FINANCIAL AID AGREEMENT FORM (FAA) 

The Financial Aid Agreement form (FAA) is completed by you and your home university. The FAA acts as proof of incoming funds and allows you to defer a portion of your payment until your financial aid awards are released, even if that is after your program start date. Note: If your entire program is covered by aid, a down payment is still required to confirm your participation in the program. More information will be available via a link in your TEAN portal. 

1. Download the Financial Aid Agreement from your TEAN application 

 2. Read the information carefully and sign and date the student portion at the bottom 

3. Send your signed FAA to your financial aid office and ask them to either send to info@teanabroad.org or return the form to you to upload to your TEAN application. 
4. Pay your program’s down payment OR the balance not covered by aid (whichever amount is greater) by your program’s payment deadline.

For example: If your financial aid covers all but $700 of your balance and your program down payment is $1000, you would pay $1,000 by the payment deadline. This $1,000 would go towards your total program balance. 

If your financial aid only covers $5,000 of your $12,000 program balance, you would pay the difference ($7,000) at the payment deadline and then pay the remaining $5,000 once your aid is disbursed. 

5. Pay your remaining balance once your financial aid is disbursed. Payment is due to TEAN within 5 business days of the date listed on your FAA form.

Your FAA is due by your program’s payment deadline. You can read more about financial aid and payment options here.  

Consortium Agreements

If you are currently receiving financial aid (federal loans, grants, scholarships, etc.) from your home institution please follow these steps. The financial aid you currently receive may not be processed in the same manner and the same amounts may not be awarded to you.

Step 1:  Visit your home university’s financial aid office and inform them you will be studying abroad through TEAN. Ask them how much of your current aid will transfer for a study abroad experience. You will also need to check if there is additional paperwork specific to your home university.

Step 2:  Ask your financial aid office if they have a “consortium agreement” (do not worry if this is a foreign term to you, they will know what it is!) which essentially means they will complete all paperwork regarding your existing financial aid while you are studying abroad. This is the ideal arrangement as it makes the whole process easier for everyone. You will also need to have a TEAN Financial Aid Agreement form filled out that will be provided to you by your Program Manager.

Step 3:  If they have a consortium agreement, most likely they will have an existing agreement that is university specific. TEAN will likely have to sign this for you and send it back to them. It will not go to your overseas institution. The TEAN Financial Aid Agreement form should then be faxed or emailed to us.

Unfortunately, not all universities will sign a consortium agreement. If this applies to your school please consult us immediately for further guidance.

Please note: The financial aid process is very complex and adequate planning is necessary. You should contact your home institution’s financial aid office if you will, or think you may need to, apply loans or aid to your study abroad program. TEAN is not a lending institution so unfortunately, all financial aid and loan discussions will need to be made within your home university’s financial aid office.

Scholarships

In addition to the current financial aid you receive, you may want to consider one of our many scholarships. Each year TEAN awards thousands of scholarship dollars to qualified program participants.  Awards range from $1,000 – $5,000, and we have a range of categories that students may qualify for. In addition, there are scholarship opportunities available through several external organizations. Review details of the available study abroad scholarships. If you are a returning TEAN student, review the option to apply for our TEAN Repeat Grant as well. 

TEAN makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations abroad. The level of accommodations varies by country and by university, thus TEAN cannot guarantee that all services offered at your home university can be matched in your program location. We will try to accommodate you as much as possible through coordination with the resident staff, the host university abroad and others in charge of student services overseas.

The host university and TEAN facilities and sites may not be equipped to handle special physical or other requirements as stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education has opined that ADA and Section 504 do not apply extraterritorially. Accordingly, please understand that our asking you for further information does not imply what, if any, accommodation may be provided to you by TEAN or the host university.

OFF-Campus Housing

The off-campus housing is located 1.5 miles away from the Yonsei University and in a safe residential area, surrounded by convenient facilities such as cafes, convenience stores, and restaurants. Students will be assigned single rooms equipped with an air conditioner and essential furniture like a bed, desk, and wardrobe. There are communal facilities such as a kitchen, laundry room, and gym as well as co-working spaces, lifestyle stores such as restaurants and cafes where you can eat.

Linens

TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted mattress cover, a pillow, a pillowcase, and a blanket.

Utilities

Utility fees like electricity and water are all included in your housing costs. Wireless internet is also included in the accommodation, internet speeds in Korea are at times slower than what you are used to, so it is important to manage your expectations.

Accessibility

Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

In Seoul, our main housing option is located on-campus at Hanyang University. The university is located in an upbeat area with trendy student cafes and delicious restaurants all a hop, skip and a jump from your front door. More information can be found in the tabs below. Step 3: Get a Room explained in 60 seconds.

All dorms are on-campus and consist of air-conditioned double rooms with free wi-fi, access to laundry facilities, dining halls (meal plan not included), convenience stores, cafes and a fitness center.

Female students are assigned to either Hannuri Residence Hall or Gaenari Residence Hall. Male students are assigned to Hanyang Techno Residence Hall or Student Residence Hall #2. Housing assignments are based on legal gender from student passport. Students cannot request a specific dorm building. Each room has a private bathroom that you will share with your roommate. Dorms vary in size and layout but are overall very similar.

MEAL PLANS

Hanyang does not offer meal plans. There is a cafeteria in Residence Hall #2. Meals vary from $4-$5.

LINENS

TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted sheet cover, a pillow, pillowcase, and blanket. Some students do like to bring their own extra set with them for added comfort.

Utilities

Utility fees like electricity and water are all included in your housing costs. Wireless internet is also included in the accommodation, internet speeds in Korea are at times slower than what you are used to, so it is important to manage your expectations.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.

On-Campus Housing

In Busan, our main housing option is located on-campus at Pusan National University. The university is located within walking distance of unlimited cafes and restaurants to choose from!  

Female students will be assigned to Jayoo Hall and Male students will be assigned to Woobee Hall. The location for the buildings is a bit different, but they are still inside the campus and accessible by the campus shuttle bus.  

Pusan National University assigns housing. TEAN cannot guarantee a specific type of housing or a roommate request.

Both Jayoo Hall and Woobee Hall have their own bathroom ensuite in each room, and they both have separate cafeterias in each building for meals which are included in the program price. A prayer room, computer room, lounge spaces, gym, laundry rooms are available in each of the dorms.  

MEAL PLANS 

Breakfast and dinner (14 meals a week) are included in the program price. Students can change the meal plan to “breakfast and lunch” or “lunch and dinner” once the program starts but cannot cancel the meal plan.  

LINENS 

TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted sheet cover, a pillow, pillowcase, and blanket. Some students do like to bring their own extra set with them for added comfort.    

UTILITIES 

Utility fees like electricity and water are all included in your housing costs. Wireless internet is also included in the accommodation, internet speeds in Korea are at times slower than what you are used to, so it is important to manage your expectations. 

ACCESSIBILITY 

Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information. 

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING 

Students will be housed at the Gonzaga Dormitory on Sogang University’s campus. The university is located perhaps in the best location possible in Seoul.  There are 3 other universities neighboring the Sogang campus, and this makes the area, Hongdae, one of the most fun places for young adults to hang out. 

Gonzaga dorm consists of air-conditioned double rooms with free wi-fi, access to laundry facilities, a cafeteria (meal plan not included), a convenience store, and a fitness center. 

Roommate assignments are based on legal gender from student passport. Students cannot request a specific type of room. Each room has a private bathroom that you will share with your roommate. Dorms vary in size and layout but are overall very similar. 

MEAL PLANS 

Meal plan is not included. Students will be able to find many restaurants and cafes around and on the campus. 

LINENS 

TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted sheet cover, a pillow, pillowcase, and blanket. Some students do like to bring their own extra set or purchase one onsite for added comfort. 

UTILITIES 

Utility fees like electricity and water are all included in your housing costs. Wireless internet is also included in the accommodation, internet speeds in Korea are at times slower than what you are used to, so it is important to manage your expectations. 

ACCESSIBILITY 

Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information. 

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

Students will be housed at the Gwanggaeto Gwan Dormitory on Sejong University’s campus. The university is located in an upbeat area with trendy student cafes and delicious restaurants all a hop, skip and a jump from your front door.  

Gwanggaeto Gwan dorm consists of air-conditioned rooms with free wi-fi, access to laundry facilities. Walking distance to a cafeteria (meal plan not included), a convenience store, and a fitness center. You will be placed in a 3 or 4 bed dorm. 

Roommate assignments are based on legal gender from student passport. Students cannot request a specific type of room. Each room has a private bathroom that you will share with your roommates. Dorms vary in size and layout but are overall very similar. 

Meal Plans

Meal plan is not included. Students will be able to find many restaurants and cafes around and on the campus. 

LINENS 

TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted sheet cover, a pillow, pillowcase, and blanket. Some students do like to bring their own extra set or purchase one onsite for added comfort. 

UTILITIES 

Utility fees like electricity and water are all included in your housing costs. Wireless internet is also included in the accommodation, internet speeds in Korea are at times slower than what you are used to, so it is important to manage your expectations. 

ACCESSIBILITY 

Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information. 

Voltage and Plugs

The United States uses 110-volt electricity, whereas most countries outside North America use 220-volt electricity. You may need to use a converter or a transformer to change the 220-volt electricity into 110-volt electricity in order to use a 110-volt device overseas. However, most newer electronics convert voltage automatically. Check your model to be sure.

Plugs on your devices will require an adapter in order for them to be used. Electrical outlets in Korea have power sockets that are type C/F, similar to most European countries. You can find outlet adapters cheaply online (on Amazon for example). If you are planning to use multiple adapters you may want to wait until you arrive in Korea to buy more than one or two so you can ensure they work properly.

The Hair Dryer/Hair Straightener Conundrum

We recommend leaving your hairdryer or hair straightener at home and purchasing a cheap model once you arrive in country. In some cases, it may be cheaper and significantly more convenient to simply purchase low-cost yet essential electronic devices once abroad. For examples, hair dryers often take up much needed packing space and are inexpensive abroad, so purchasing a plug adaptor and converter might not be cost effective. Use discretion when making these decisions to determine what’s best for you.

Doing it yourself

When it comes housing, some students wish to opt out of our guaranteed on-campus accommodations.  If this is the case, you will be given a credit on account for the cost of housing.  If you are thinking about opting out of housing, you must notify your Program Manager at the time you apply for the program.  

However, please be aware if you organize your own housing you may luck into a good housing situation, but you should also prepare to run into some challenges and hassles that may complicate your stay due to cultural and language differences and we will be unable assist you in these matters.  You may find that:

• There is no one to serve as liaison with your landlord or roommates should a dispute arise.
• You would be responsible for a large down payment (key money)
• You are locked into a 6-12 month lease.
• Many landlords and real estate agents are not willing to deal directly with students.
• Set-up and payment of utilities can be a real hassle and sometimes not possible for international students.
• Many units come unfurnished, meaning you must rent furniture (a costly option).

Flights

The best route (and airfare) for flights to Seoul or Busan will depend on your departure point in the U.S. Please read the below Steps for Booking Flights, Important Flight Booking Notes and FAQs in full before booking your flights.

Important: Do NOT book your flights until you have received instructions to do so by email from TEAN.

Steps for Booking

Step 1: Read the instructions carefully and be sure to contact us with any questions, so as to ensure you understand the airfare booking procedures.

Step 2: Review the arrival dates and end of program dates.  Students should book flights departing on or after the program end date. Note that if you depart after the program end date you may not be able to stay in the housing TEAN has organized for you beyond the end date. 

Semester Programs

• Korea University
• Hanyang University
• Pusan National University
• Yonsei University
• Sogang University
• Sejong University

Summer Programs

• Korea University Summer Program
• Hanyang University Summer Program
• Pusan National University Summer Program
• Yonsei University Summer Program
• Sogang University Summer Program 

Winter Programs

• Korea University Winter Program
• Hanyang University Winter Program
• Yonsei University Winter Program

Step 3: Determine if you are intending to travel independently prior to or after the program dates as this will impact your travel dates to/from the U.S.

Step 4: Research travel itineraries and costs. To assist with your search, ensure you read the below “Important Booking Notes”.

Before purchasing your ticket, please feel free to contact us or send us your tentative itinerary so that we may ensure it is correct and/or the best routing for your situation.

Step 5:  Book your international travel and and upload your arrival flight itinerary to your TEAN Student portal. You can upload a screenshot of your itinerary with arrival information into Seoul.

Important Booking Notes

• TEAN recommends shopping around to find the best routing and airfare from your departing location.
• Check out our partner travel agency, Student Universe. The key benefit to using a travel agent like Student Universe is the personalized service, particularly useful if flights are delayed, connections are missed, or if you have to change your flight for any reason. Fill out your request here, https://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-services/tean/affiliate/TEANflights or email travel@studentuniverse.com
• If you would like to compare airfares, please feel free to research flights online. We recommend search tools such as SkyScanner or Google Flights. 
• Accommodation will be provided for students arriving on the arrival date, but accommodation will not be available prior to this date.
• Be careful when looking at arrival dates/times. For example, a flight may arrive at 12:05 am on the arrival date, however, technically, this is the evening of the previous night as far as hotels are concerned. If you book a flight like this, you are going to need an extra night of accommodation.
• Airfare costs can vary greatly from one departure city to another. In the event that you live relatively close to more than one potential departure city, we encourage you to research flight options through each applicable departure location. Students may find that by driving to a slightly farther departure city/airport, they may save several hundred dollars in airfare costs.

Flight FAQs

How much should I expect the airfare to be?

The estimated cost for all international flights varies from approximately $800 – $1,500. This is due in large part to the departure locations from within the U.S. (for example: New York, NY versus Omaha, NE), as well as the return travel dates.

Why doesn’t TEAN offer a group flight for Korea?

Airfares for individual flights to this region are cheaper than group flights, and for this reason we provide advice on booking your flights individually.

What if I want to arrive prior to the recommended arrival date?

Student Visa

Semester: All students will be required to apply for a D2 student visa to study abroad in South Korea. Your Program Manager will supply you with specific, step-by-step instructions when you are eligible to apply, but it is important to understand the process and what you can expect.

Summer or Winter Term: Students must apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Transit Authorization) a few days prior to departure. The application process for the tourist visa is simple, online, and costs less than $10 USD. Non-US passport holders will need to research the tourist visa requirements for their citizenship country.

Please note: the rest of this visa section only applies to semester students!

Visa Cost

The D2 Korean student visa costs vary depending on if you choose to apply directly with your local South Korean Consulate, or if you choose to apply with our recommended visa processing service, Swift Passport Services, located in Chicago. The cost for a visa can range for U.S. citizens from $45 – $140 USD..

Proof of Financial Support

Financial proof requirements vary by consulate. Follow instructions by the consulate of your permanent address juristiction.” Arrival tab – remove “Curious about quarantining when you arrive in South Korea? Check out TEAN student Emily’s Blog on her experience here”.Visa Application

All students will be required to submit a completed Korean visa application form when applying for a visa. You will not be able to apply for your visa more than two months before you depart for Korea. Your Program Managers will notify you when you are eligible to apply for your student visa, which is typically 10 weeks prior to your departure. You will also receive step-by-step instructions on the process.    

Certificate of Admission

To apply for a visa, you will be required to submit an official Certificate of Admission with your visa application. This document and very specific instructions will be provided approximately six-weeks prior to departure and is from Korea University. We will also provide you with a Certificate of Business Registration as well.  If the consulate in your jurisdiction require transcripts, we can send the transcripts you have already provided to TEAN back to you upon request.

Passport-Style Photo

Students will be required to send in one passport-style photo with their application.  

Processing Time

Pre-Departure Quick Tips

Photocopy all important documents – Leave one set of photocopies with your parent/guardian and keep one set with you (on your person) as you travel. Important documents to copy include, but are not limited to: passport, airline tickets, medical insurance details and inoculation details.

Bring copies of important numbers/contact details – Details include, but are not limited to: emergency contact details (ie: parents/guardians), TEAN contact details (to be provided), arrival details (to be provided).

Exchange money in advance of your arrival into Korea – If possible, it is advisable to exchange some funds prior to your arrival into Korea. You can request Korean won from your local bank, but note this may take some time for them to order. Most international airports have currency exchange kiosks where you can exchange funds for a small fee. You may also choose to withdraw local currency at an ATM in the airport – just remember that your bank most likely charges an ATM fee for withdrawals! It is recommended that students have enough funds to get them from the airport to the accommodations (if necessary) and cover any initial expenses while in Korea – the equivalent of $200 is enough to get you started for the first two weeks.

Follow Arrival Instructions – Be sure to carry all airport arrival instructions, which will be sent to you prior to your departure by your Program Managers. This will be extremely helpful in the event you are unable to locate your guide at the airport.

Be Flexible – Students are encouraged to be flexible at all times. You will experience things that are done differently in Korea, than in the U.S. – embrace the differences and you will have an amazing time!

Bring a positive attitude and a willingness to experience new people and surroundings!

Health Insurance

TEAN requires that all international students possess health insurance coverage through CHUBB Travel Insurance for the duration of their studies in South Korea. Enrollment is automatic, and the cost of this insurance will be included in your program fee.

Your medical insurance policy includes the following:

• Prescription medications
• Medical evaluation
• Hospitalization
• X-rays
• Emergency medical assistance
• Medical transportation and evacuation
• Return of mortal remains

There are limitations to this medical insurance, including dental and optical services. If you have any existing health concerns, contact your current insurance provider before you leave. You can find the policy brochure and claim form on our Living in Seoul page.

Please Note: If you are studying with TEAN in your country of citizenship, you will not be covered by our insurance policy.

Personal Articles Insurance

We recommend students put anything of value i.e., digital cameras, jewelry, musical instruments, cell phones, laptops, etc. on a Personal Articles Policy (many homeowners already have this policy so students most likely can add their items onto their parents’ Personal Article Policy). This insurance often covers the full value of the items worldwide, with no deductible. Typically, items valued up to $3,000 can be covered for an approximately $30 premium. We encourage students to take pictures of item(s) and note their model, make and serial number, as well as save receipts when possible. Purchase of this insurance is left to the discretion of the student and his/her parents.

Travel Insurance

Trip insurance is highly recommended and is NOT included in TEAN program fees. We recommend considering supplemental trip insurance to protect against unexpected mishaps (i.e. lost luggage) that can occur while traveling. Plans range from $100–$350 and can be purchased through various insurance carriers. If you would like to discuss plans with TEAN’s recommended travel liaison, please contact Student Universe at 866-761-0068.

Health & Safety

TEAN is committed to the health and safety of every participant. It is very important that students make informed decisions about their study and travel destinations. TEAN continually monitors the safety and security of our study abroad program locations as well as popular student travel destinations. We continue to advise students of the safety and health risks associated with studying and traveling abroad based on the information from the U.S. Department of State travel warnings, local law enforcement, the South Korean Government, NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the World Health Organization.

TEAN has created an Emergency Response Plan for our study abroad locations that will be implemented by both our staff in South Korea/the South Pacific and our U.S.-based staff in Chicago. TEAN staff will work with students, parents, and study abroad staff at both the student’s home and host institution to provide the most up-to-date information regarding situations that may arise while studying abroad.

Tips for Personal Safety

Emergency Contacts:  Be sure to designate a parent or guardian as your Emergency Contact. This way, information regarding an emergency situation will automatically be passed on to your parents. Also make sure to provide TEAN your Emergency Contact’s most up-to-date contact information.

Communication Information: Provide TEAN with accurate and up-to-date contact information regarding your telephone, mobile phone, address, and email address. Be sure to notify your parents and Resident Director in case of an emergency.

Keep Others Informed: Tell others (your roommates, your parents, your Resident Director) your travel plans. Keeping others informed will make it easier to locate you in case of an emergency.

Stay Informed: Research the political, cultural, and social climate of your study and travel abroad destination before heading overseas. While abroad, whenever possible, read local newspapers and watch local news broadcasts for developments that may affect your health and safety. If you have questions, please contact a TEAN staff member either in the U.S. or abroad.

What about anti-foreign sentiment? Although individuals are generally well liked abroad, host nationals will often question the activities of foreign governments and may hold anti-foreign views. This has occurred for some time, in periods of both peace and crisis. Participants in the past have found these tips useful: use common sense, dress to blend in, speak softly and avoid overt displays of home country patriotism. TEAN also advises that students avoid all public demonstrations.

Safety Notes Regarding Water

When you arrive in Korea you will notice that most locals do not drink the tap water. The United Nations’ published a report in 2003 on water quality and Korea’s ranked eighth in the world, with its high-tech water treatment facilities and management (the U.S. ranked 12th in this study). The water quality in Korea is constantly being monitored to ensure it is safe to drink. So, while drinking the tap water is not a health concern, it’s just simply a cultural preference.

Vaccinations

It is recommended to have general vaccinations up-to-date including tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, etc.

South Korea does not require any vaccinations for entry into the country. Speak with your primary physician or a travel clinic for recommendations.

If you have any health conditions that may cause issues, please make sure to consult a doctor before departing.

Relevant Travel and Safety Links

State Department Travel Warnings
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
U.S. Embassies

Packing List

The packing list provided is only a suggested list. Triple check to ensure you have everything necessary! During quarantine you won’t have access to laundry, so we recommend packing as much as you can in your carry-on in case your large luggage is delayed (unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt to prepare!).

Essentials to Pack (also listed on your Arrival Information that we’ll ask you to print and keep with you in your carry-on)

• Passport/visa
• Arrival Information (to be supplied by TEAN prior to departure)
• Negative PCR COVID test result taken with 48 hours of flight departure from US to South Korea or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hours of departure flight from US to South Korea. (must be printed, original test result in English or Korean)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including facemask(s) and hand sanitizer; check with your airlines to ensure you meet their requirements.
• Driver’s license (or alternate form of ID)
• Airline confirmation numbers and flight itinerary
• Money (cash, debit/credit cards, etc.)
• Photocopies of important documents
• Prescription medicine and a note/proof from doctor (Only a 3-month supply in original packaging is allowed. Contact us for instructions on what to do if you need more.)
• Snacks for your flight and/or quarantine! (no dried meat, fruit, or vegetables)

Other Items

• Raincoat with a hood or waterproof Gore-tex jacket/umbrella
• Warm jacket/hat/gloves (temperatures can be around 30F in December-February)
• Clothing such as pants, pajamas, underwear, socks, a bathing suit and shirts
• Dress clothes (one nice pair of dress pants/skirt and tie if applicable)
• Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes: tennis shoes/shoes for hiking (lace-up shoes) Sizes larger than U.S. women’s 8 and U.S. men’s 10 are harder to find in Korea.
• Bath towel
• Camera and memory card + battery charger or extra batteries
• Contact lenses (extended wear if possible) and solution
• Glasses: prescription (if necessary) and sunglasses
• Smaller backpack for books/site travel
• Compact travel alarm clock
• Reusable water bottle
• Korean plug adapter for electronics. While EU adapters do fit in Korean outlets and are quite similar in size, they do vary slightly. It is recommended to get a Korea-specific adapter, as EU adapters are banned in the dorms. Please also note that most modern electronics don’t require a voltage converter. Consult manufacturer’s instructions for more information on your personal belongings.
• Deodorant – this can be pretty expensive in Korea!
• Phone numbers, email addresses of people with whom you wish to keep in contact
• Extra passport photos
• Feminine hygiene products (tampons with applicators are not easy to find in Korea and when found can be expensive)
• Bring a backup credit or debit card that can be left in your dorm. Just in case your primary card is lost/stolen you will still have easy access to your funds.

Packing Tips from TEAN

• “Less is more” – it sounds like a cliché, but it’s true! Believe us.
• Pack lightly! Overweight bags are a great way to blow your budget before you get to Korea.
• Seasons can vary: pay attention to the climate information above and plan accordingly.  
• Leave behind about half of what you think you’ll need.  
• Label your luggage.
• Refer to your airline carrier’s website for current baggage restrictions on international flights.

Computers & School Supplies

Your host university has wireless internet access around the campus, although please be aware that the internet speeds in your housing can be much slower than that of the U.S. Students are encouraged to bring a laptop if they own one and also want to have regular access to internet. Having a laptop will also make typing papers easier. Your host university has computer labs, but they do operate on limited opening hours (i.e. will not be available late at night). Local cafés are great places to go to find a strong WiFi connection.

Baggage Restrictions

For international flights to South Korea most airlines allow all international passengers two checked items, one carry-on and one personal item. Please contact your air carrier for their current baggage restrictions (including dimensions and weight) and fees for additional checked items. If you will exceed your air carrier’s baggage restrictions, it is generally more economical, safer and easier to pay the airlines for additional checked baggage versus shipping items.

Cultural Tips

You will find that Koreans are accommodating and helpful people. That said, abide by these ten cultural tips in order to live most harmoniously with the locals.

1. Bow when greeting your peers and elders – this is the respectful and standard way of saying hello, goodbye and thank you. A simple head tilt will do for informal settings. Keep in mind: the deeper the bow the greater the respect.
2. Never sit in the subway seats reserved for the elderly and pregnant and always offer up your seat to such people as well.
3. Don’t shove your chopsticks in your rice, set them on top of or beside your bowl.
4. Always receive things with two hands – even if someone is simply pouring your water.
5. Never wear shoes inside temples, homes or even schools. Always be mindful of whether or not you need to remove your shoes.
6. Talk quietly while riding public transportation – trust us – you will get told to keep it down otherwise.
7. Be prepared to separate your trash, recyclables and compostables. Koreans take this very seriously and make no excuses.
8. Don’t tip when dining out. It’s not expected and often looked at as a gesture of pity.
9. Expect to get stared, pointed at and whispered about. This is not malicious, it’s just that you’re a unique presence and Koreans will find you to be interesting.
10. It is customary not to pour your own drink in Korea. When you are out to dinner with a group, be aware of your dinner companions drink’s level and refill their glass, they will in turn fill your glass.

Arrival and Airport Pickup

Specific arrival details will be provided prior to your departure.

Contact Information

Prior to your departure, your Program Manager will provide you with contact details for all key TEAN personnel (including your Resident staff), as well as information on your local embassy and emergency contacts.

TEAN Orientation

Contacting Home

Below are some suggested ways that you can easily stay in touch with your family and friends while studying abroad.

We recommend setting up a contact plan before you depart, deciding how and when you’ll be available while abroad. Whether that looks like daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly check-ins, it’s good to have a consistent way to get in touch, as well as back up alternatives in case of an emergency. While studying abroad can be a time to spread your wings and become more independent, it’s important to regularly touch base with your loved ones so they don’t worry while you’re away.

No matter which method you choose, we recommend downloading your preferred applications before leaving home and testing them out to make sure any accounts and contacts are set up properly.

International Phone Plan

In most cases, this allows students to utilize their phone domestically in their host country and internationally. The cost of this can vary based on service provider. If you are interested in this option, you should get in touch with your phone service provider to get the relevant fees and service options. Be sure to consider costs for dialing local numbers as it can sometimes make an international plan undesirable for calls within your host country.

Purchasing a Phone in Country

This would only be a viable option if you do not want to or cannot use your current U.S. phone, and can speak and read the local language. Phones can be purchased in all locations for costs comparable to U.S. phones. This may be a good option for a student who is looking to use a phone for just texting and calling while in country, as non-smart phones can be purchased cheaply in most countries. If you are worried about losing your U.S. smartphone, you may want to consider purchasing an inexpensive phone in your host country.

Free International Contact Options

While all students will have access to a local number, there are free ways to get in touch with people across the world while connected to the internet or data.

Skype

Allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while using WiFi or data. This allows for calls between two parties both using the Skype app downloaded. The Skype app can be downloaded onto you phone, tablet and computer. You can also purchase Skype credit which allows you to call international landline and mobile phone numbers directly (so both parties don’t have to have a Skype account). These calls typically cost around $.05 for the connection and $.03 per minute, making it an affordable option.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook’s Messenger app allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while on WiFi or data.

iMessage

While we don’t suggest going out of your way to purchase an iPhone for this option, it is a great feature for any students who have these phones already. iPhones use iMessage and FaceTime while on WiFi or data at zero charge to the provider plan.

Other free messaging apps

You probably already know or use WhatsApp, which allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while on WiFi or data. WhatsApp is popular outside of the U.S. as well but some countries also have their own messaging app of choice that you’ll likely want to download to chat with your new local friends. These include:

• WeChat in China
• KakaoTalk in Korea
• Line in Thailand

Email

It may seem obvious but email is a great way to continue to stay in touch with people back home regardless of the time differences. If your host institution gives you a new school email, be sure to update friends and family with the email address you will be checking most frequently throughout your program.

Internet

• Internet service is provided within accommodations managed by your host university, including wireless access in the dormitories.
• Upon arrival, it may take same time to set up personal computers to wireless networks. Patience is requested.

Finances Abroad

Bringing U.S. Currency to South Korea

We do not recommend bringing large amounts of cash with you for security and safety reasons, however, you may wish to bring a small amount of foreign currency for any initial personal expense needs. Most major banks in large U.S. cities have foreign currency in stock, but smaller regional banks may be able to order South Korean Won. (Do not wait until the last minute to place your order.) Alternatively, you can exchange money at airport before you depart for the overseas flight. This is slightly more expensive than using a local bank (1%-2% higher fees) but much more convenient.  

Using a U.S. Bank Account

You can avoid paying ATM fees by either joining a bank in the global ATM alliance, or Charles Schwab is a great bank to use because they refund all ATM domestic and foreign transaction fees worldwide and it is free to open an account. They never charge a fee but if the foreign bank does then Charles Schwab refunds the cost at the end of each month. Accounts can be opened online. It is always good to check your local bank’s policy as well.

It usually takes 7-10 days for Charles Schwab to mail the actual ATM card (so don’t wait until the last minute to open an account!). All transactions can be done online (including funding the account from another bank account you have in the U.S.).

Opening a Korean Bank Account

Semester students: When you arrive in Korea, you will be given instructions on how to apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC). As a part of your ARC, you will have the option to have a local Korean bank account. It can take up to four weeks to received your ARC so if you prefer to use this account, please be prepared to use your U.S. account for the first few weeks.  

Winter/Summer students: Since your program is less than 90 days you will not need to apply for your ARC, therefore will not have the option to open a Korean bank account.

Please Note: Since summer students do not need to get a student visa, you will not need to apply for your ARC, therefore will not have the option to open a Korean bank account.