South Korea: Soonchunhyang University

Soonchunhyang University offers English-speaking students the opportunity to learn about Asian culture. In exchange for internship participation, the university will provide top-notch room and board for free. Located in a rural town on the central west coast of South Korea, Soonchunhyang University is surrounded by quaint mountains and is near historical cultural attractions.

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: TBA

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Fall 2025 applications will open later this semester. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting beginning in November.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Location

The university's campus is located in Asan, in the north western region of Chungnam. SCH is less than 60 miles south of Korea’s capital, Seoul and a 40 minute ride on Korea’s newest high speed railroad, the KTX. It is dynamically expanding with its population being expected to reach over 500,000 in a few years and is home of the world class semi conductor and automobile manufacturers, Samsung and Hyundai.

Asan is also famous for its natural hot springs, rich in minerals and healing properties. Many visitors from around the world look forward to relaxing in these hot springs, especially in Asan’s Dogo hot springs complex, where they can not only benefit from one of Asia’s top sulfur hot springs, but also enjoy swimming, horse riding, and a round of golf.

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Academics

SCH has 80 foreign instructors and about 500 international students of various nationalities. It is an ideal place to study and experience Korean culture and pick up a language that has been designated a priority language by the U.S. government. Korean Language classes are usually taught by non-native English speakers, therefore the language courses will be authentic with native speakers.

Students take an average of 5-6 classes each semester in a variety of subjects. There are courses available in the following areas listed below. The courses listed online are not offered every semester and will be confirmed with a final schedule upon arrival during orientation.

Literature and Culture
Business and Economics
Political Science and Diplomacy
Sociology and History
Education
Korean Studies
International Studies
Korean Language

For courses and academic calendar, visit Soonchunhyang University's website.

Credits:
Credits at Soonchunhyang are the same as UNI.

Grades:
GPA Score UNI Equivalent
4.5 A+ (95-100) = A
4.0 A (90-94) = A
3.5 B+ (85-89) = B+
3.0 B (80-84) = B
2.5 C+ (75-79) = C+
2.0 C (70-74) = C
1.5> D+, D, F (0-69) = no transfer

NOTE: Soonchunhyang, as a South Korean university, grades on a curve, with the top 30% being able to receive an A. Classes are also very strict in attendance--typically students can only miss class three times before they fail automatically.

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to South Korea, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From the application process to financial assistance to preparing for your journey abroad, Stephanie will be with you every step of the way providing guidance and reassurance.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to South Korea.

Immigration Information:

Students going to South Korea (Republic of Korea) for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa.

Your Study Abroad Advisor will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

Housing & Meals

Housing:

Global Village is dormitory housing capable of providing accommodation for up to 12 students. It is a spacious area, consisting of 4 buildings in the complex. Students have access to internet, public telephones, study rooms, laundry facilities and a fully equipped media room. Each section has a comfortable communal area fitted with a sofa suite, and is fully air-conditioned. It is surrounded by six rooms and two large bathrooms. The Global Village has 24 hour in-house security, employed by Soonchunhyang University to ensure students peace of mind and well being.

Living in the Global Village, you will be surrounded by many different people from all around the globe! Every International student will have a Korean roommate, but will have other suite mates from all across the world! It is a great way to meet many new people and make tons of great, lifelong friends!

Meals:

Students have the option to eat meals on-campus or off-campus. Meals in the cafeterias range in price from 2,500 to 4,000 won (or about $3-4 USD). Off-campus food is usually a 10-15 minute walk from campus. Most restaurants do not have menus listed in English, so it is a good idea to bring a Korean buddy with you!

More information on housing and dining can be found here!

Cultural Internship Opportunity

International Students in this program will all participate in a "Cultural Exchange" Internship. You will have 7-10 exchange partners who you will meet with once a week for an hour each. These exchanges are to help the Korean students get more conversational English practice. You will meet your partners in the Global Lounge, and usually either play some games or grab a bite to eat! There are several events for International students throughout the year! In the fall semester there is a "Sports Night", where groups compete in friendly competition in games like three-legged races and basketball! Also in the fall is a large festival hosted by the university with live music, food, and lots of fun! In the spring, the cherry blossom trees bloom and there is a Cherry Blossom Festival, with lots of live performances, photo opportunities, and tons of cherry blossomed themed snacks!

This internship is what pays for your room and board at SCH. You are also reimbursed for your flight to Korea, up to around 700 USD. On top of all of this, by participating in the Language Exchanges, you will receive a weekly stipend of around 100 USD.

This is a great opportunity to strengthen local friendships as well as receive financial support.

For further information, you can check out Soonchunhyang's website!

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $11,968*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$11,968
Estimated U-bill Charges	$5,420
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$6,547

Soonchunhyang Cost Estimate Fall 2024 (Pending Update of UNI Tuition)

Soonchunhyang Cost Estimate Spring 2025

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,993
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$902
Transportation	$395
Total	$11,544

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
‌Must be in good standing with the University
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.