The South Korea Program

Did you know that Northeast Asia represents one fifth of the world economy and one fourth of the world's population? And that some estimates indicate that the economy of the region will count for one third of the world's economy in 20 years? Experience the phenomenon first-hand through the UW-Eau Claire exchange with Ajou University.

Your host in South Korea is Ajou University, recognized as one of the top ten universities in South Korea. Ajou University provides an excellent six-week summer program in Korean/Asian studies and international business for international students. Past participants have come from the United States, Canada, Denmark and Germany. All courses are taught in English.

You will live on campus in a two or four-person room. Each room is equipped with high-speed internet access. Dorms also contain a gym, TV lounges, computer labs, and laundry rooms. Bathroom/shower and kitchen facilities are shared. You can purchase meal tickets to eat at the student cafeteria and /or cook your own food in the kitchen on your floor..

Location

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the surrounding area is a region of growing economic and geopolitical importance to the U.S. and the world. South Korea is now the United States seventh-largest trading partner and is the 12th largest economy in the world. South Korea faces China to the west across the Yellow Sea and Japan to the east across the Strait of Korea.

Suwon, a city of approximately 1 million people, is located in northwestern South Korea, and is only a half-hour drive from Seoul-the capital.

Courses

The Ajou International Summer School is composed of 2 three-week sessions. During the six weeks, you will take four courses for a total of seven credits. All students are required to take the one-credit Korean Culture Workshop (Ints Elective LD, GE4). In addition, you will choose 3 two-credit courses. The program itself fulfills 1/3 of the UW-Eau Claire Foreign Culture requirement; depending upon the courses you take, you may be able to fulfill more of the requirement. Course offerings may change due to enrollment and faculty availability. In the past, course offerings have been confirmed in April.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Every Wednesday, you will participate in the Korean Culture Workshop where you will visit historical sites/festivals and participate in Korean arts. In 2008 activities include visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, Hyundai, the Mud Festival, as well as calligraphy, pottery, music, and taekwondo lessons.

Academic Calendar

The Ajou International Summer School is offered each summer for six weeks. The program typically runs from late June to early August. Exact program dates are determined the semester prior to departure.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for summer 2009 is $2,050.  This includes UW-Eau Claire tuition, CISI insurance, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity; residents of other states add non-resident fees. 

Additional costs: passport, personal expenses, housing, food, books, local transportation, and airfare. Estimate another $3,00 for these expenses.

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $5,350. Cost estimates may change at any time.
 

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs. Your financial aid package will be based on actual costs in South Korea, including round-trip airfare. You can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships athttp://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking, undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You must be in good academic standing and have a minimum 2.3 cumulative resident GPA.  You may apply as a freshman but must have sophomore standing when the program begins.

Application Deadline

Applications for Summer 2009 will be accepted beginning September 2, 2008.  The priority application deadline for Summer 2009 is November 17, 2008.

Complete applications will be reviewed after this date. Late applications will be considered if space is still available. Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application.  No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Student Comments

I loved South Korea. It was a completely different academic setting. Everyone comes from different cultures, backgrounds, and families. I can really say I have friends all over the world now! Magan (past participant)

Study abroad in South Korea taught me not only about the Korean culture but also about our culture at home. We met people from around the world and the different perspectives were very insightful. I would recommend this program to anyone.
Brittany (past participant)

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI  54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu