• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Korea University
• Seoul National University

Testimonial from Students

“20 minutes by bus from Korea University brings one to the huge, bustling and economical fashion district of Dongdae-mun where one can spot people of all ages shopping for goods all day round, since it runs 24 hours 7 days a week all year round. (This was also where I accidentally met Taiwanese superstar, Jay Chou, shopping one summer night.)”

Ho Jia Hui, AY 2004/2005, Semester 2
SEP to Korea University, Seoul

"I viewed my research experience in KAIST to be one of the most fulfilling in my university academic life. KAIST is the best postgraduate institute in science and technology in Korea, with strong government support in research”

Lee Wee Boon, Louis , AY 2004/2005, Semester 2
SEP to Korean Advanced Institute of Science, Seoul

South Korea, with a history that stretches back to 5000 years, is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with rugged mountain ranges that traverses from coast to coast. This country is the birth place of Taekwando and it hosted two major sporting events in the past – the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 2002 World Cup soccer.

Like many other countries in Asia, South Koreans embrace technology and modern living while maintaining their unique colorful cultural practices. The people attribute their indefatigable culture to the binding agents of Confucianism, language and pride. Korea today is a picture of excellence. Companies like Samsung, Hyundai and LG are leading the electronics industry with their cutting edge technologies. Korean music and film have swept Asia in a Korean Wave known as Hallyu with fans fervently embracing a very ubiquitous Korean pop culture.

The economic expansion of the 1980s caused rapid improvements in the living conditions of many of its people. South Korean is truly modernized in almost every sector of life and it is home to a significant number of foreign businesses. Seoul, for example, is home to major local and foreign MNCs, financial institutions and government offices. Seoul gives students a particularly advantageous environment which they can learn about South Korea.

Living costs in Seoul can be high compared to other part of South Korea but Seoul National University and Korea University offer affordable on campus accommodation options for international students.

South Koreans live a life of harmony and seek to maintain positive relationship with each other. This emphasis on harmonious living has been deeply rooted in the Korean society. Foreign students should ensure that they establish good relations with their South Korean peers as friendship at this level is considered as the ultimate emotional relationship.

First semester: March to July
Second semester: September to December

(Academic calendars vary among individual partner universities. Please refer to their websites for specific semester information)

Additional Information

• CIA World Fact Book
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea
• Information on Visa/Entry Permits for Republic of Korea

Relevant Faculties/Departments at Partner Universities

• for Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• for Faculty of Engineering
• for Faculty of Science
• for Business School
• for School of Computing
• for School of Design and Environment
• for School of Law