Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update See details

Yonsei University

Seoul, South Korea
Language of Instruction: English, Korean SUNY code: 723 Minimum GPA: 2.5 Additional Program Requirements: 2.5 GPA

Study abroad in Seoul, South Korea’s capital. Come to a city filled with energy, where you can see traditional palaces and temples just as much as high-end shops and cafés while hearing the latest K-Pop music. Seoul’s highly-rated mass transportation system makes it easy to get around the city and take in all this vibrant metropolis has to offer. You will be part of Yonsei University, one of Korea’s top three most prestigious universities.

Program Information

Academic Program

During the Fall and Spring semesters at Yonsei University, you may choose from optional courses in beginning, intermediate, and advanced Korean language, and a wide variety of lecture courses taught in English. Courses generally focus on the following themes: East Asian Studies, International Relations, International Business, and Korean Language. Intensive Korean Language courses are available through the Korean Language Institute.
If you speak, write, and converse fluently in Korean, you may enroll in regular university courses with Korean students.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

Searching Courses in English
1) In the Course Search Portal, click ENG (English) in the top-lefthand corner. 
2) Click on the “Course Catalogue and Syllabus” box. 
3) For “Year/Semester“, choose the most recent year. You may need to reference courses from the previous year. 

  • For courses offered in the Spring, select “1ST SEMESTER“.
  • For courses offered in the Fall, select “2ND SEMESTER“.

4) For “Category”, select “Undergraduate Programs“.
5) Change the College to “Study Abroad Course”. 
6) Click “Search”. 
7) To view the course descriptions/syllabi, click the third icon under “Course Code-Sec.-Lab” (it looks like a sheet of paper, folded at the bottom-righthand corner. 

Please note: The number of credits Yonsei University’s courses carry is equal to SUNY credits. For example, if a Yonsei University course is listed as 3 credits, it will be 3 SUNY credits. You must take a MINIMUM of 12 SUNY credits while you are studying at Yonsei University. 

The course list for the semester you plan to study abroad may not be available until two months prior to the first day of classes at Yonsei University. However, most of the courses from the previous year will be offered again. Search for the previous year’s courses and find a couple of backup courses that you would like to take, just in case some of the courses you select are not offered/become full.

Review Yonsei University’s website for more information regarding course offerings.

Please review the Yonsei University Application Timeline for more information regarding the complete application process.

General Education Information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.

Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.

Transcript

All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 


Housing

There are two on-campus housing facilities available for exchange students. SK Global House has single and double occupancy dorms, and International House has double occupancy dorms.
As the residents of both dormitories can share the residential facilities, there is little difference in terms of facilities and service provided, except for the location of the bathroom; a private bathroom is located inside each room of SK Global House, while the bathroom facilities are centrally located on each floor of International House. Regarding the double rooms, the size of the double room in International House is a little bit larger than that of SK Global House. Also, the double room in SK Global House does not have refrigerators, while the International House does.
Both dormitories are located very close to the classrooms and the Office of International Affairs. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy your living experience within a convenient and comfortable environment and global community network.
On-campus housing is not guaranteed. If you are not approved for on-campus housing, Yonsei University will offer alternative off-campus options. You also have the option of arranging your own off-campus housing. If you are not comfortable with the possibility of living off campus, please consider a different program.

Meals

There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.


Estimate of Costs

Review the most recent Estimate of Costs for exchange programs here, and for non-exchange programs here. Upon nomination for the program, you will be informed about whether you were nominated as an exchange or non-exchange student. Note, there may be several tabs in the Estimate of Costs. Please be sure that you are reviewing the tab for your anticipated term and year abroad.
 

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.


Academic Requirements

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in all majors, with at least a 2.5 GPA, are eligible to apply. If your GPA is lower than a 2.5 (even if it’s a 2.49), or you are a freshman at the time of application, you are not eligible to apply for the program. AP credits from high school do not count, as you will need to have at least 2 semesters of completed college grades on your transcript prior to applying for the program.
If you are a transfer student, you must have completed at least one semester at your previous institution, plus at least one semester at your current institution, in order to apply.
Prior knowledge of Korean is not required.
Korean citizens are eligible to apply for this program.


Experiential Learning

University-arranged excursions are not included in this program, but you may enjoy tourist attractions and events off campus, on your own.

Student Clubs and Organizations

There are several student organizations on campus that are available for you to join. Some of these organizations arrange trips.


Funding Opportunities

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.


In Their Own Words

“Studying in Seoul, South Korea as a student at Yonsei University was such an eye-opening experience. It is located in Sinchon, one of the more bustling areas of Seoul, and has lots to offer in terms of shopping, culture, and activities/performances. Being able to spend 4 months surrounded by a different culture and language has been a life-changing experience.”
Kirsten Lynch, Psychology Major


Speak with an Advisor

[html]


Map of Seoul, South Korea

About the City

Yonsei University’s main campus is in a spacious, picturesque and natural setting, located minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan downtown area. Seoul is one of the leading and rising global cities in the world. It is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and offers many temples and other cultural attractions.
Yonsei has 3,500 eminent faculty members who are conducting cutting-edge research across all academic disciplines. There are 21 graduate schools, 22 colleges and 131 subsidiary institutions hosting a selective pool of students from around the world.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter Korea.
For all other nationalities, please check with your government and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea website to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.


Application Availability

Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:

  • Spring/Winter programs: July
  • Fall/Year/Summer programs: December

Program Dates

Academic Year 2023-2024

08/23/2023 to 06/21/2024

Fall 2023

08/23/2023 to 12/22/2023

Spring 2024

Friday, February 23, 2024 to Saturday, June 22, 2024 

*Please Note: Friday February 23 is the on-campus dormitory check-in day at Yonsei University. Saturday, June 22, 2024 is the on-campus dormitory check-out date. You can find Yonsei University’s full Spring 2024 academic calendar here.*


About the Program

The University at Albany’s exchange affiliation with Yonsei University enables you to study in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, and is intended for U.S. students interested in experiencing Korean daily life and culture while developing Korean language skills and pursuing coursework in English in diverse subject areas. You are sure to make life-long friends, build your networks, and expand and deepen your academic and cultural horizons, all while experiencing life in Seoul, one of Asia’s coolest, yet largely undiscovered cities.

Program Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted in April, before the end of Spring UAlbany classes, and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Yonsei University, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.

Support Services

UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
Yonsei University’s International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.


Program Dates

TermApplication DeadlineDecision DateProgram StartProgram End
Spring 2024October 1, 2023October 15, 2023February 28, 2024June 22, 2024
Fall 2024March 1, 2024March 15, 2024ForthcomingForthcoming
Academic Year 2024March 1, 2024March 15, 2024ForthcomingForthcoming

Additional Details

Locations
  • Seoul, South Korea
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese
  • Chinese Studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural and Area Studies
  • Earth Science
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Environmental Science
  • Film Studies
  • Food Science
  • French
  • German
  • Globalization Studies
  • History
  • Information Science/Technology
  • Interior Design
  • International Business
  • International Relations
  • Korean
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Marketing
  • Mass Communication
  • Mathematics
  • Nutrition
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Russian
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Textile Design
  • Theology
  • Urban Planning
Terms
  • Academic Year
  • Calendar Year
  • Fall
  • Spring
Minimum GPA2.5
Additional Program Requirements2.5 GPA
Credit Load12-19 per semester
Exchange ProgramYes!
Faculty-LedNo
Internship OpportunityNo
Language of InstructionEnglish, Korean
Language RequirementNo previous language study required
SUNY code723
Partner UniversityYonsei University