We have outlined here TEAN’s six easy steps to studying abroad. Your TEAN Program Manager guides you through the entire process, reminding you when and what we need from you as you traverse along the journey to studying abroad. These six steps also include all the vital information you need to know as you prepare for your time abroad. If you can’t find the answers to your questions here, then don’t hesitate to call or email us.
Congratulations! You have applied to a TEAN Korea semester, summer or winter program, so you are already one step toward the best experiences of your college life! This section walks you through how to complete your application including paying your deposit, how to obtain a passport and check that yours will be valid for the duration you need, the best ways to contact TEAN, and all the important dates to mark down on your calendar now. If your questions are not answered here, don’t hesitate to contact us! Step 1: Get Started explained in 60 seconds.
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:
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
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
The EDUCATION ABROAD Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Congratulations again! If you’ve gotten this far you are well on your way to an experience of a lifetime! This section contains information on how to select your courses and ensure you get credit for them, financial aid and how to navigate the system to ensure your aid transfers, details of TEAN and other scholarships you may want to apply for, and some details on academic differences to expect in Korea. Step 2: Get Schooled explained in 60 seconds.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| BUSS205 Marketing Management | BUSS205 Marketing Management |
| BUSS207 Financial Management | BUSS311 Organizational Behavior |
| BUSS211 Introduction to Operations Management | BUSS313 International Business |
| BUSS342 Consumer Behavior | ECON171 Principles of Economics II |
| ECON336 International Trade |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| JMCO257 Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea | JMCO257 Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea |
| JMCO262 Media and Gender |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| HEED178 Child Development | |
| ELED233 Cross-Cultural Understanding of English-Speaking Cultures |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| COSE213 Data Structure | ACEE226: Environmental Engineering I |
| MECH201 Thermodynamics I | ACEE325 Numerical Analysis |
| COSE213 Data Structure |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| LIET227 Environmental Science | LIET201 Ecology |
| PAPP357 Environmental Policy | LIET222 Environmental Chemistry |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| KHPM404 Case Studies in Global Health |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| ENGL108 Survey of British and American Literature | GESO153 Emotion Regulation and Stress Management |
| HOKA156 Introduction to Korean History | HOKA004 Introduction to Korean and East Asian History |
| SOCI299 Popular Culture |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| DISS122 Principles of International Relations | DISS262 Understanding East Asian Civilization |
| DISS262 Understanding East Asian Civilization | DISS264 Rethinking Korean Culture |
| DISS423 International Relations of East Asia | IFLS108 Beginner’s Korean I |
| IFLS108 Beginner’s Korean I | |
| POLI355 East Asian Politics |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| LIST201 Cell Biology I | LIST202 Cell Biology II |
| LIFS217 Introduction to Food Science | LIST304 Genetics II |
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!
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Guaranteed Courses Every Semester:
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| BUS2035 Management of Global Corporations | ECO3003 Money and Banking |
| BUS3022 International Financial Management | ECO3047 International Trade and Commercial Policy |
| BUS3102 Organization Management | ECO4088 World Economy and China |
| BUS3113 Asian Business and Marketing |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| D-C2096 History of Korean Cinema | JOU2015 Theories of Mass Communication |
| GEN7027 English Career Communications |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| ECC1004 Circuit Theory 1 | APA4010 Mechanism Design |
| MEE3003 Fluid Mechanics 1 | ENE4019 Computer Networks |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| CUL1116 Animal Ethics | PSD3056 Civil Society and Social Movement |
| CUL1115 Aesthetic Awareness in the Modern World | HIS2003 Ancient History of Korea |
| HIS3058 Media and Transnational Gender History | HIS3061 Lecture on the European History |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| DIS2017 International Relations in East Asia | CUL3101 Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in Korea |
| CUL3101 Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in Korea | DIS2005 International Relations |
| CUL1118 The Language of Global Cuisine | DIS2035 The Political Economy of East Asia |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| MAT2017 Probability and Statistics | MAT2017 Probability and Statistics |
| MAT3008 Numerical Analysis |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| ARE4086 Design Fundamentals 1 | CUL1117 Introduction to Digital Photography |
| C-T1005 Fashion & Color | |
| C-T3035 Fabric Planning in Fashion Merchandising | |
| CUL1117 Introduction to Digital Photography | |
| GEN5072 Introduction to Acting |
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!
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.
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.
More information about course registration will be made available closer to your departure for Seoul.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Select your courses by reviewing the previous year course list on PNU’s website. Follow the below instructions carefully:
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| GS16359 Global Economy And Leadership(I) | GS16359 Global Economy And Leadership(I) |
| GS29280 International Finance | GS21549 International Organization |
| GS30747 Modern Theory Of Management | GS29281 International Trade |
| GS33349 Introduction To IT Business | GS30722 International Business Strategy And Organization |
| GS33996 Innovation & Technology Management | GP29282 Economics Of International Development |
| GP31367 Organizational Behavior | |
| GP34958 South East Asian Business Topics |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| GS28897 Interpreting The World’s Media |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| GS36204 Culture, Science, and Mind | GS34069 Introduction to Cultural Studies |
| GS36206 Modern Comparative Literature | GS34940 Humanitarianism |
| GP33231 Trends In Film, Literature, Art And Architecture | GS35649 Social Movements |
| GS35650 Feminism And Gender Equality |
| Spring Courses | Fall Courses |
| GS34941 Middle East: Politics and Foreign Policy | KE36121 East Asian Popular Culture |
| GS35752 International Relations and Politics | KE36122 Korean Culture And Society |
| GS35780 World Religions and Cultures | |
| KE33686 Modern Korean History | |
| KE36215 Korean Popular Music In Context |
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Business:
Communications & Media:
Humanities & Social Sciences:
Science:
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.
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).
Business:
Engineering:
Health:
Humanities & Social Sciences:
International Studies:
Visual, Performing Arts, & Design:
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 Thursday with field trips on Fridays 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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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).
Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.
Business:
International Studies:
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.
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).
Please note: These courses are not guaranteed to be offered every year.
Business:
Humanities & Social Studies:
International Studies:
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.
You will register for your course during Yonsei’s course registration period. More details will be sent in late November/early December.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2. Read the information carefully and sign and date the student portion at the bottom
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.
Your FAA is due by your program’s payment deadline. You can read more about financial aid and payment options here.
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.
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.
In Seoul, our main housing option is located on-campus at Korea 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.
Students will be housed in the international student accommodation and will rank their room preference for a single or double room. Double rooms are the most popular choice and the cost of the double room is included in your program fee. If you select a single room and are allocated one, you will be charged a single room supplement.
You will be assigned to live in either CJ International House or Anam International House. The layout for the buildings are a bit different, but they are similar. Korea University assigns housing. TEAN cannot guarantee a specific room type. KU does not accept roommate or building requests.
Depending on where you are placed, some double rooms have their own bathroom ensuite. However, most rooms are set up to have three rooms sharing a bathroom and a common living space. So if you have a single room you will still likely share a bathroom with four other students. Please note that dorm rooms and suites vary in size and layout, and you may not know the exact layout of your suite until you move in. Kitchens, laundry rooms, and lounge spaces are available in each of the dorms.
When you check into your accommodation you will have the option to purchase a meal plan for the dining halls on-campus. The costs per meals for students on the meal plan can vary from about $4-5/meal depending on the package you select. Students are also able to cook their own meals in the accommodation kitchen if they prefer.
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.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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.
There are no meal plans but breakfast will be offered from 8:00 to 10:30 at the 7F restaurant with an additional cost (Typically around 10,000 KRW). In addition, there is a café and a convenient meal kit store in the building.
TEAN will offer a basic linen set including a fitted mattress cover, a pillow, a pillowcase, and a blanket.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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.
Hanyang does not offer meal plans. There is a cafeteria in Residence Hall #2. Meals vary from $4-$5.
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.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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 plan is not included. Students will be able to find many restaurants and cafes around and on the campus.
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.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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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 plan is not included. Students will be able to find many restaurants and cafes around and on the campus.
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.
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.
Accessible options vary greatly. Please consult your program manager or email our accessibility team for additional information.
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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.
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.
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:
It’s time to book your flights. It’s really happening, so get excited! This section details information regarding steps to booking flights for Korea and important tips before you book. Step 4: Get Booked explained in 60 seconds.
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.
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.
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.
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?
This section is very important. Before you jet off for the time of your life, you’ll need to apply for a student visa for your program. Please read this section carefully, and when the time comes, your Program Manager will guide you through the visa application process.
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!
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..
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.
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.
Students will be required to send in one passport-style photo with their application.
It’s almost time! Now you just need to review some last minute information on insurance while abroad, follow our packing list, start planning how you will manage your money while abroad, information on cell phones and read up on details regarding your arrival. Our Korea-based staff are looking forward to meeting you when you arrive! Step 6: Get Going explained in 60 seconds.
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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
State Department Travel Warnings
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
U.S. Embassies
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)
Other Items
Packing Tips from TEAN
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.
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.
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.
Specific arrival details will be provided prior to your departure.
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.
Upon arrival in Seoul, our in-country team will host you for an orientation to introduce you to life in South Korea. For semester students, this will be a multi-day experience to introduce you to life in South Korea. For winter/summer students it will be shorter, usually contained all in one day.
This orientation is designed to set you up for a successful program abroad, both academically and culturally. You will receive a detailed schedule and calendar of activities a few weeks prior to departure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’s Messenger app allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while on WiFi or data.
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.
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:
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.
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.
