Seoul National University Exchange Seoul National University Exchange
Printable version
A QUICK LOOK: Voted one of Asia's Best Universities!
COUNTRY: Korea
CITY: Seoul
HOST Institution: Seoul National University
TYPE OF PROGRAM: UNI Exchange
SESSIONS: Semester (Fall and Spring), or Academic Year
ELIGIBILITY: Sophomore or above; 2.5 minimum GPA
FIELDS OF STUDY: Agriculture, Business Administration, Dentistry, Education, Engineering,
Fine Arts, Human Ecology, Humanities, Law, Life Sciences, Music, Natural Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy,
Social Sciences, Veterinary Medicine
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English, Korean
CREDITS: Undergraduate, Graduate
|
 |
|
INTRODUCTION
The University of Northern Iowa exchange program with Seoul National University is one of the
newest ones offered. It promises to be an exciting new way for UNI students to investigate a
different culture. SNU is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Korea, and has
exchange programs with some of the top universities in the world.
There is a great variety of programs, a diverse mix of professors and students, as well as three
beautiful campuses in a mesmerizing city. Korea is a wonderful and fascinating place to spend your
time abroad, and will surely enrich your life more than you can imagine. Whether or not you speak
the Korean language, you will be able to expand your horizons and learn many new things.
SEOUL
Seoul is renowned for being friendly and open to
tourists, and for having a low crime rate. It is considered to be hip and gained much recognition
for hosting the last World Cup. It is home to more than 10 million people, so you will definitely
experience something much different than UNI. It has an active social life, yet the residents are
known for being hard workers as well. Seoul embraces western culture without sacrificing any of its
own. With its beautiful and intriguing palaces, parks, and museums you are sure to find much to do in
your study breaks. A helpful resource to find out more about this city is:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_east_asia/seoul/.
ISEP Handbook: Korea
SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The well-respected Seoul National University was the first of its kind founded in Korea—more than
50 years ago. It has gained acclaim by having graduates who are in high and prominent positions
within Korea and the world. There are many cultural and recreational activities, as well as a strong
promotion of research and globalization. If you are seriously considering studying abroad, then SNU
would be an excellent choice. With its prestigious academic agenda, highly qualified professors, and
impressive placement of its graduates, spending a semester, summer, or year here will definitely prove
to be highly beneficial to you, not only academically and professionally, but at a personal level, as
well.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
A brief look at the SNU website under Academics can
show you what an extensive program they have. With 23,000 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate
students, SNU has an impressive following. There is extensive research undertaken in many different
areas of the university, and classes are taught in English and Korean—depending on what you want
(although we suggest you take at least an introductory course to familiarize yourself with the basics
of the language).
Most courses are taught in Korean. However, the majority of courses taught at the Graduate School
of International Studies (GSIS) are taught in English. The College of Business Administration and some
of the other graduate schools do offer courses in English as well. Unfortunately, the list of courses
taught in English for fall semester 2005 will not be available until the end of May, 2005.
Additionally, courses from the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) may be open to
undergraduate exchange students upon receiving permission from the SNU professor teaching the course
that the undergraduate exchange student wishes to apply for.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2005
- Fall Semester: 1 September - 14 December 2005
- Deadline for submitting exchange student's grades to the registrar's office: End of December
- Official transcripts from the Office of Registrar will be ready by: 2nd week of January 2006
- Official transcripts sent to your University: 4th week of January 2006
LANGUAGE COURSES
There are many different levels of the Korean Language Program (click on the link, and in the upper
right hand corner, click "English”) and the website describes it as this:
“The Language Education Institute at SNU provides a Korean Language Program (KLP) to those
who are interested in learning Korean Language and culture. Over 7,000 students from over 70 countries
have graduated from KLP, and the program has grown to approximately 1,000 enrollments annually.”
It is expected that the courses available to UNI students will be taught almost entirely in English.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Housing is on campus, but must be applied for during the student selection period.
The Gwanak campus is SNU's main campus. Most of SNU's colleges and schools can be found at the
Gwanak campus except for the College of Medicine, which is located in downtown Seoul at the Yeongun
campus. Housing for exchange students are available at the Kwanaksa (Gwanak campus dormitory). The
travel time from Gwanak campus to Yeongun campus is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by public
transportation. Please be aware that the campus housing may not be available to all applicants. If
you have any questions regarding this once you have been admitted to a program, do not hesitate to
contact the Study Abroad Office for assistance.
PROGRAM COST
UNI students pay UNI tuition and fees (in-state or out-of-state) plus the study abroad fee to
participate. The program cost does not include housing, food, books and supplies, round-trip air
transportation, international health insurance, and personal expenses. Participants should expect to
pay about $200-240 per month for housing and budget about $10 per day (or about $300 per month) for
food.
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS
Participants in this program may use their UNI financial aid to help pay for the program.
Study Abroad Scholarships and a
variety of external funding options are available to those who qualify. Check the Scholarship
information on the Study Abroad website:
http://fp.uni.edu/studyabroad/funding/scholarships.htm. Scholarships are available through SNU as
well. Do not hesitate to contact the Office of International Affairs to get more detailed information
(y10103a@snu.ac.uk, Soo Jin Kang) or the UNI Study Abroad
Office: yana.cornish@uni.edu
ELIGIBILITY
UNI students only. Applicants must be full-time students at the time of application, at least
sophomore status during the session abroad, have departmental approval for participation, and an
overall G.P.A. of 2.5.
APPLICATION PROCEDURESA complete set of application materials will include one original and one copy of the following:
Please submit your application documents to the UNI Study Abroad Center. Please do not send your
application directly to SNU. For more information please check this link:
http://oia.snu.ac.kr/Programs/Incoming/Exchange/Exchange/index.html
VISA INFORMATION
A student visa (D-2) is required to study in Korea if a student is not of Korean nationality. In most
cases, exchange students can acquire their D-2 visa easily when they present their university
Certificates of Admission from SNU to the relevant passport officials in their home country. Please
contact your nearest Korean consulate (in Chicago)
http://www.mofat.go.kr/mission/emb/embassy_en.mof?si_dcode=US-CH for more detailed information on
the visa application process. Visa information is available on-line
(http://www.mofat.go.kr/en/visa/e_visa.mof)
DEADLINES
Fall and Academic Year program deadline: March 1
Spring program deadline: October 1
External Links
Gateway to Korea
Korea Sparkling
English website providing tourist information about Seoul Click here
Seoul Public Service Website for Foreigners http://global.seoul.go.kr/
It provides services including various certificates, counseling over the phone, and information about living in Seoul.
Seoul Help Center for Foreigners http://shc.seoul.go.kr
ICK (Inter-Culture-Korea) http://www.internexus.co.kr/interculture-e.html
This is an association to promote and facilitate interaction between foreigners and Koreans.
Korea Visa http://www.dynamic-korea.com/consulate_service/visa.php
CONTACT INFORMATION
Inquires regarding this program should be directed to:
Yana Cornish, Study Abroad Coordinator
Office of International Programs
28 Gilchrist hall , UNI
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0520
Tel: 319/ 273-7078
Fax: 319/ 273-2921
TALES FROM ABROAD
I loved it, the experience was amazing! Being Korean adopted, I had always wanted to go back to South Korea. I knew that this program was the perfect way for me to achieve this. I learned so much being there, mostly learning to speak the language and also the culture. Yes, at first it was a tad bit strange being in a different culture/country, but as time went on I eventually came to love the place. There is so much to do there! It is simply amazing. –Chris Hemmen, UNI student 2005
Back to Top
|
