South Korea: Seoul Women's University Social Welfare Program

‌Seoul Women's University (SWU), is located in Seoul, South Korea. This university is open to both men and women. With student-oriented education programs and open systems, SWU is dedicated to elevating students' sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for learning and active competitiveness. SWU's student activities include events such as festivals, networking opportunities, and community outreach for all clubs and major activities. Students participate voluntarily and actively in diverse community programs, which help them attain a sense of achievement, pride and joy in campus life.

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 are now open. Students can click the link below to schedule a meeting to go over important details about the program.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the Spring of 2026 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

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. It is also the largest metropolis of the Republic of Korea. The city has a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology and is home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife districts. Seoul has serene Buddhist temples, a trend-setting youth culture and extraordinary architecture.

Follow the link to view SWU's location within the city.

Academics

SWU offers a tailored Social Welfare program for UNI Students. This customized program is intended to ensure that UNI Social Work students stay on track with their academic plan. Students have the opportunity to add an internship experience while taking classes at SWU. Upon applying students will choose from the following agencies for their internship experience.

Aging/Gerontology
Medical Social Work and Mental Health Services
Community Social Welfare
Children and Youth Services, School Social Welfare
Persons with Disabilities
NGOs and other social work agency settings

In addition to an internship opportunity, students will take a language course and one or two English taught Social Welfare courses. In addition to Korean Language courses, SWU Offers classes in the following subjects:

English Language and Literature
International Studies
Asian Studies
Mathematics
Business Administration
Bio and Environmental Science
Industrial Arts

Semester Breakdown:

120 hour internship (3 units) (8 hours every Tuesday)
1 language course (3 units)
1 or 2 English taught Social Welfare courses (3 units each)

Credits:
Credits at Seoul's Women's University are the same as in the U.S.

Grades:
A+ (95-100) = A
A (90-94) = A
B+ (85-89) = B+
B (80-84) = B
C+ (75-79) = C+
C (70-74) = C
D+, D0, F (0-69) = no transfer

NOTE: In South Korea, only 25% of the students can receive an A in any given course, even if everyone earns the grade. Also, South Korean classes are 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:

Exchange female students will be placed in the International Residence Hall. Options include the following:

Designated dormitory for the international students
This building can only accommodate female students
Twin room with shared bathroom & shower room
Students may be asked to move to another dormitory during summer or winter breaks.

Dormitory Orientation is mandatory upon arrival. Curfew is 11:40 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

Male students must find off-campus housing accommodations. (SWU may assist in finding a place to stay.)

Meals:

Meal tickets are included in the dormitory bill and will be distributed at curfew. There are off-campus dining options as well.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $13,175*

*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	$13,175
Estimated U-bill Charges	$5,426
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$7,749

Seoul's Women's Cost Estimate Fall 2024 (Pending Update of UNI Tuition)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/costs

Pending Updates for UNI Fall 2024

‌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.