seoul palace

University of Seoul Summer Program

Study in Seoul this summer and explore the rest of South Korea though field trips they offer to places like Jeju Island, the Korean world heritage site of Changdeok Palace or watching a NANTA Show! 

This popular summer program has been running for over 19 years.

Key information

Language

English

Semester

Summer

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open October 1, 2024

Apply Now

Summer 2025 applications

Priority deadline: November 11, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

No reference letter required; min GPA 2.5. See Eligibility section below for more details.

Summer 2026 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Program details

Areas of Study:

The Summer School offers two tracks: Business in Korean perspective and Korean Culture Studies

Course Information:

Students can choose one morning and one afternoon class, plus the optional 2 credit Exploring Asian Culture class which consists of three field trips. 3 credits = 1 UCalgary half course; 6-8 credits = 6 UCalgary units (2 half-courses)

The summer program typically runs from late June to late July.

  1. Costs

    Non-exchange summer program:

    Students pay their tuition and any other expenses directly to the University of Seoul. 

    Expense Estimated Student Cost

    Registration Fee + Tuition - $2,200 CDN

    Housing Fee - Estimated at $365 but subject to the students choice of accommodations.(Not Guaranteed)

    Flights are self-determined

    Meals - 320-640 USD

    Personal Expenses are self-determined

    Seoul provides more clarity and updated information on the cost of living online. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.

    Seoul cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here

     

  2. Funding

    Seoul offers a partner discount  to our students for this program on the tuition and registration fee. They also waive the cost of the field trips for Calgary students. 

    There is also an early bird benefit of free housing for the first 60 students to complete the application, nomination and payment before April 30.

    Students are not eligible for Ucalgary awards or loans for this program.

Students may apply for housing on campus during the program. This is available on a first come first serve basis so apply early once the housing application opens. 

A common cooking facility is available in the dorm building, and you can find a cafeteria near the building for your meals. Detailed information on the facilities of the UOS dormitory can be found at http://global.uos.ac.kr →  For International Students  →  Living in Seoul  →  After Arrival Information  →  On-campus Housing.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Do I have to speak Korean?

No prior knowledge of Korean is required for this exchange. The Seoul International Summer School (SISS) offers a variety of courses in English.

Student Experience: "I found that Korean people are quite straightforward and easily express their opinions. As well, most of them are quite self conscious about their ability to speak English so it was important for me to make sure they were comfortable around me when they spoke English. Even though I did not speak or read Korean, it helped that I understood a little bit. I would recommend being able to read Hangeul which is really easy to learn. Mostly people spoke minimal English, so it wasn’t too bad. As well, it helped that we had a lot of Korean friends who spoke English well who translated for us."

What supports or services are available on the SISS program?

SISS offers a buddy program "Peer Advocate" for international students. Peer Advocates are UoS Korean students who help international students adjust to life in Korea. Peer Advocates live with international students in the dorm and participate in most of the programs offered by SISS with all of international students.

Students in the program come from Korea, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Hungary, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA, and more.

What's great about Seoul and SISS?

Not many people would come to South Korea for its outdoors, but the hikes around Seoul are some of the most scenic in the world. The University of Seoul is a fantastic student-experience oriented university in South Korea. There are a multitude of great events and gatherings for you to meet and interact with other international and Korean students. The location of the dorms at UoS also provide easy access to great pathways and hiking trails right up into the hills around Seoul for incredible views of the campus and beyond.  

The UoS-subsidized Jeju Island trip is a highlight for many students on the program - the 4-day field trip tours the volcanic island, which is full of breathtaking natural beauty as well as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and will give you a better understanding of Korea.

Other field trips on this program help you to learn about Korea’s past, present and future - you will experience various kinds of activities while visiting meaningful spots in Korea such as Jeonju’s Hanok Village, Taekwondowon, Chuncheon (a famous film location), watching a NANTA Show, and enjoying the summer at an Amusement Park (Everland or Caribbean Bay). 


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The exchange advisor for this program is: Veronica V. Cardoso

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.