Korea:: World Partners

Yonsei University

Overview

Yonsei University (YU) was established in 1885 as a private institution of higher education in Korea. It is located on a spacious, wooded campus 20 minutes from the economic, political and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan area. It has 18 graduate schools and 19 colleges.

As an exchange student in YU's Underwood International College (UIC) you will choose from a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses offered in English. Undergraduates can choose from courses in Korean studies, East Asian studies, politics, law & culture, business, economics, science and engineering. Graduate students would take courses through the Graduate School of International Studies. Graduate options are for IR majors and are only offered for the fall semester.

Korea & Seoul
Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian state on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Since its founding in 1948, the country has struggled with the aftermath of 35 years of Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and decades of military rule, seeing five major constitutional changes. Pro-democracy demonstrations during the 1980s led to free elections in 1987 and it is now a multi-party democracy. It is considered one of the world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected countries. It has the second highest number of broadband Internet connections per capita in the world and is a global leader in computer games, digital displays, shipbuilding and mobile phones. South Korea's entertainment industry has grown explosively since the 1990s, producing Asia-wide successes in music, television, and film in a phenomenon known as Hallyu, or the "Korean wave". However, the country still retains centuries-old customs and traditions, such as its unique cuisine and ancestor worship.

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. With over ten million people living within its city limits, Seoul is one of the most populous cities in the world. However, with an area of only 605 square kilometers, it is also one of the smallest and most densely populated major cities. It has more than three million registered vehicles which often cause widespread traffic jams. The larger Seoul National Capital Area and commuter belt, which includes the major port city of Incheon, has over twenty-one million residents. This makes it the third most populous metropolitan area in the world, after Greater Tokyo and Mexico City. About one-half of South Korea's entire population lives in Seoul and its environs. The city is the country's political, cultural, social, and economic center, as well as an international center for many financial and business organizations, and is considered one of the top 20 "world-class cities". As the symbol of the "Miracle on the Han River", Seoul has played a key role in South Korea's economic development. In recent years, the metropolitan government has carried out an extensive cleanup of the city's air and water pollution. The revival of Cheonggyecheon, a stream that used to flow through downtown Seoul, has been lauded as a major success in urban renewal and beautification.

Courses

You may take any courses offered at UIC that are unrestriced but they must be pre-approved by Syracuse. A listing of courses offered can be found on the YU’s website. A typical undergraduate course load is 9-18 credits. Please note that as a Syracuse University student, you must maintain full time status which is a minimum of 12 SU credits. Actual grades from YU will be factored into your overall GPA at SU.

Travel

Travel is not included in the cost of the program. You are responsible for getting to YU by the start of the program. Cost for a round-trip flight is around $1,500. YU will provide you with information upon acceptance for a fee-based airport pick-up service.

Living arrangements

You can apply to live on-campus at the International House dormitory. Rooms are western style, double rooms and are equipped with LAN connections. The house has a study room, recreation room, computer room and free laundry facilities. You will be billed directly from YU for the housing.

Visa

You will need a visa to study in Korea. You will receive additional information with your acceptance letter. The current cost for the visa is $45 for U.S. citizens.

Cost & Aid

You will pay SU tuition and you may apply all SU financial aid except work-study. The program fee includes pre-departure meeting/advising meetings, an international student ID card, and activities and services not covered by tuition and for which a separate fee is not charged. Housing is billed directly from the University. You are responsible for round-trip airfare, local transportation, books, overseas health insurance, personal effects and incidentals. For these expenses, you should plan to budget out-of-pocket approximately $2750 plus the cost of your flight. ESF students may be charged a supplemental fee for attendance.

How to apply

Applying to this program is a two-part process. Turn in all parts except Yonsei’s online application to the SU Abroad office by October 10 for Spring and March 15 for Fall. Please note that enrollment is limited to two students per semester at this time.

Part 1: Syracuse University

  1. SU Abroad application online at http://suabroad.syr.edu
  2. $60 application fee payable to Syracuse University
  3. Study Abroad Approval form - signed by the Dean's office of your home college
Part 2: Yonsei University
  1. YU’s application -apply online, copy to SU Abroad
  2. Official transcript (3.0 cumulative GPA required)
  3. Academic Recommendation
  4. Four passport photo
  5. Certificate of Deposit Balance (bank statement, etc.) - showing support of at least $5,000 per semester
  6. Copy of passport - color preferred
  7. Proof of medical insurance
  8. Plan of study (250 words or more)

For more information contact:
Ginny Pellam-Montalbano - gapellam@syr.edu - 443-9417
Deb Goddard – dsgoddar@syr.edu – 443-2528

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