The Korea University Exchange program offers students the opportunity to study in Korea for a semester, or academic year. Participation in this program does not require any prior knowledge of Korean as there are diverse course offerings in English. Students with a wide variety of majors can find courses that align with their academic goals.

Academic Program

Korea University has English language course offerings in business, international studies, science, communication, political science, and computer science. Several levels of Korean language courses are also available.

Students can refer to the course List from the semester they're interested in for the previous year as the class offerings are similar from year to year. After clicking on the course list link, make sure to select English on the upper left corner. Undergraduate students may refer to the course list under "Major Subject" and "General Subject". Courses conducted in English will be indicated as follows: i.e. Marketing Management (English). Courses marked under the X) column are open to exchange students.

Students are advised to be flexible with their course selections as Global Services Center cannot guarantee any courses for Exchange students. There are some course that are not open to exchange students, and also some the spots for some courses are quite competitive. Students are advised to have backups in mind, in case they're not able to place into some of their desired courses.

The course listings can be a little hard to navigate, please make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor for assistance.

Exchange students are required to take a minimum of 12 s.h. per semester and are able to take up to 19 s.h. per semester while studying at Korea University. Credit received from Korea University will be treated as transfer credit. Interested students should make an appointment with the UI Study Abroad Advisor for more information on transfer credit and be prepared to consult with their academic advisor as well.

General Education Courses

This program is a good fit for students looking to fulfill general education requirements. We have many approvals on file for semester courses and summer courses. In the past students have been able to fulfill the following requirements through this program:

• Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
• International and Global Issues
• Historical Perspectives
• Values & Culture
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences

Please contact your study abroad advisor if you have additional questions about fulfilling general education requirements. They’ll be able to confirm which requirements can be completed abroad and help confirm Gen Ed approvals for your preferred courses.

Cultural Activities

The Korea University Buddy Assistants (KUBA)program facilitates cultural exchange by matching exchange students to a Korean student. KUBA buddies guide and help exchange students while they adjust to Korea University life. This program provides UI students with the opportunity to participate in language exchange, and to join Korean students in a variety of activities and events throughout the semester.

Program Dates

Fall semesters are typically from late August through mid-December.

Spring semesters are typically from early March through mid-June.

Mandatory orientations are held the week before the start of the semester.

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with Korea University, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

 

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Korea University

Korea University was founded in 1905 and is widely acknowledged as one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious universities in the country. Korea University offers a rich variety of courses in liberal arts and sciences. Due to an increase in English course offerings, Korea University continues to attract a high number of internationla students to their campus.

Seoul

Seoul is the political and cultural capital of South Korea. Its population of 10.5 million are spread throughout a city about the same size as Chicago. Neon signs, skyscrapers, and an incredibly computer-savvy populace are juxtaposed with the city's 2,000-year-old history. Seoul’s international atmosphere has turned it into one of the most cosmopolitan cities in not just Asia, but the world.

South Korea

South Korea is a country of about 50 million people located on the Korean Peninsula. Its neighbor North Korea grabs more headlines due to military exercises and political tensions, but South Korea is not a country to be overshadowed. With a strong, industrialized economy built after the Korean War, South Korea is one of the most economically successful nations in Asia. The Visit Korea website has a lot of good information about this fascinating country.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Exchange students are eligible to apply for on-campus housing (CJ International House, Anam Global House, Anam Hall 2) during their stay at KU. Students will be required to apply for housing online after they have been accepted as an exchange student.

For more information regarding housing and fees please refer to this website.

Students who are assigned to on-campus housing will be required to take a tuberculosis test. For fall semester the test needs to take place after July 1st, and for spring semester the test needs to take place after January 1st. The certificate must be issued in English or Korean.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students are advised not to purchase airline tickets until they receive acceptance confirmation from both UI and Korea University. If you have questions and/or concerns, please contact the UI Study Abroad Advisor at 319-335-0353.

Students are expected to find their own flights to South Korea, though UI Study Abroad can assist by providing advice regarding airline booking options. Korea University will provide accepted students with more information on arrival details closer to the date of departure.

Local Transportation

Ewha University is located in downtown Seoul and is connected to the city via multiple bus stations and two subway stops (Green Line #2). The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is quite impressive, allowing travelers to get almost anywhere in the city where they would like to go. It is the world's most extensive system by length and is the second largest in the world by number of stations (after the NYC Subway).

For more information on local transportation options, please look at Visit Seoul's Transportation Guide.

Eligibility

The Korea University Exchange is open to UI students of all majors who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment: Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program's subject matter and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
• Preparedness and maturity: Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA: Students must have at minimum a 3.0 cumulative GPA to participate in this program.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing: Students must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing at the time the program begins. First year students cannot participate in this program. Completion of at least two full-time semesters at the University of Iowa is required before students can apply to the program.
• Approval of UI Study Abroad advisor: A student's application must be reviewed and approved by their UI Study Abroad advisor.
• Acceptance by host institution: The number of participants is limited by reciprocity in the numbers to be exchanged, and meeting the minimum requirement for eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Even if a student is nominated by their UI Study Abroad advisor to participate in the exchange, the final acceptance decision is made by the international student office and the sponsoring departments at Korea University based on their own internal requirements.

Costs

Tuition

University of Iowa students pay their regular University of Iowa tuition and mandatory student fees and study at our partner university without further tuition payment. However, students should be prepared to pay the host university directly for certain expenses, such as housing. These expenses are included in the program cost sheet (more information below).

Study Abroad Administrative Fees

University of Iowa study abroad administrative fees are charged for all participants. They are based on tuition set by the Iowa Board of Regents. Please check the Costs of Study Abroad page for more information on these administrative fees.

Cost Sheets

Cost sheets are documents that outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

The cost sheet includes the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and Mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance. Please see the respective websites for further details. Please contact your UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding this cost sheet by calling 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

Spring 2024 Cost Sheet

Spring 2024, TCOB Cost Sheet Korea University Exchange

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

How to Apply

Spots for UI students: Enrollment for the 2024-25 Academic Year is limited to 2 semester students.

Interested students should make an appointment with the designated UI Study Abroad advisor to discuss the program and the application process. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 319-335-0353. During the appointment, the advisor will provide full application instructions. Note: Application materials will not be reviewed unless a student has already met with the advisor to discuss the program.

The application process consists of three major steps:

Step 1: After meeting with the UI Study Abroad advisor, students must complete the online UI Study Abroad Application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.

Step 2: The UI Study Abroad Application is reviewed. If the student meets the requirements for the program and there are sufficient spaces available in the exchange, the UI Study Abroad advisor nominates them for study at Korea University (KU).

Step 3: Once nominated, the student completes the online application process for KU. The application is reviewed by KU, which makes the final acceptance decision.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Spring Semester and Calendar Year programs are due on Oct. 1.

Applications for the Fall Semester and Academic Year programs are due on Mar. 1.

Any supplemental materials are due to the UI Study Abroad office one week after the application deadline.

Health & Safety Planning

In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:

Prepare for Departure

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Visa

Any students who will need to apply for a South Korean visa will need to wait until receiving their official admission letter from Korea University before they can begin applying for a visa. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance and advising on the South Korean visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by the host university. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your UI Study Abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.