Seoul provides a stunning venue for you to combine Korean language study with new insights into North Korea and rapidly changing developments on the Korean Peninsula.
Program Structure
Classes take place at Ewha Womans University in Seoul and are combined with frequent excursions throughout the city.
This program counts as two semester-long courses (4 credits each) of degree credit. KORE S-Ba can be counted as 4 credits toward the foreign language requirement. The program has no course prerequisites.
GOVT S-1763 Study Abroad in Korea: Thinking Out of the Box—Exploring New Insights into North Korea
John Park, PhD, Director, Korea Project, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment
The course’s objective is to hone students’ critical thinking skills by exploring new insights into North Korea through the lens of recent interviews with defectors. The course focuses on deepening ties between the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Communist Party of China; increasing commercialization in the elite regime circle (the top 1%) through state trading company activities and among the entrepreneurial masses (the bottom 99%) through local markets; and how financial sanctions actually bolster North Korean procurement networks.
KORE S-BA Study Abroad in Korea: Elementary Korean I
Hi-Sun Helen Kim, PhD, Director of the Korean Language Program and Senior Preceptor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
This introductory course is designed to provide beginners with a solid foundation in modern Korean language and culture. It focuses on the balanced development of interpersonal (communicating), interpretive (listening and reading comprehension), and presentational (formal speech and writing) skills. Students begin by learning the complete Korean writing system (Hangul) and then focus on basic conversational skills and grammatical structures. In addition, students are exposed to everyday life contexts (for example, language use and culture) likely to be encountered in contemporary Korean society.
KORE S-120A Study Abroad in Korea: Intermediate Korean
Hi-Sun Helen Kim, PhD, Director of the Korean Language Program and Senior Preceptor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Ahsil Noh, MA, Preceptor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
KORE S-120a is designed for students who have already taken elementary Korean (Ba and Bb) or students who have an equivalent proficiency level. This course aims to increase their ability to communicate in Korean in a wide range of daily life situations with an equal focus on expanding their knowledge of the fundamental grammar of Korean. Students are introduced to reading materials of increasing complexity on a variety of topics in modern Korean society and culture.
KORE S-130A Study Abroad in Korea: Pre-Advanced Korean
Hi-Sun Helen Kim, PhD, Director of the Korean Language Program and Senior Preceptor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
KORE S-130a is the first half of the pre-advanced course and is designed for students who have completed Intermediate Korean 120a and b or have the equivalent proficiency level. Students consolidate previously learned grammatical patterns and vocabulary through written and audio-visual materials on a variety of topics. Emphasis is placed on developing abilities to present opinions and elaborate on ideas through discussion and writing.
KORE S-140A Study Abroad in Korea: Advanced Korean
Hi-Sun Helen Kim, PhD, Director of the Korean Language Program and Senior Preceptor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
This course is designed to provide students with greater reading skills and sociocultural knowledge of Korean beyond the high-intermediate level. They develop skills in reading authentic materials from contemporary Korean media and fiction, and aural comprehension of contemporary television documentaries, news, and drama with decreased reliance on pedagogical aids. The course also aims to enhance their speaking and writing skills to discuss various issues of modern Korean society and culture.
Where You'll Live and Study
Seoul is a rapidly changing capital that provides a stunning venue for exploring distinctive features of Korean culture, present, and past.
Accommodations
You stay in coed dormitories at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Accommodations include breakfast.
Application
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have completed at least one year of college or be a first-year student
- Be in good academic standing
Students enrolled at any accredited university are welcome to apply. See the How to Apply page for more information.
The Summer 2023 application is now closed. All admissions decisions will be released on March 3. Each program has unique requirements included in the online application. Beginning your application early is the best way to ensure that you have sufficient time to review and complete the application requirements by the deadline.
You may apply to no more than two programs; if applying to two programs, you will be asked to rank your two applications in order of preference (first and second choice). Any applications submitted in excess of the maximum of two will be automatically withdrawn. You will be notified of your admissions status in each program by early March.
A complete online application includes:
- Basic personal information
- A statement of interest
- Your most recent transcript
- Program-specific requirements (if applicable; may include letters of recommendation, etc.)
Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the program.
Harvard College students applying for funding from the Office of Career Services (OCS): Please note that the OCS funding application is separate. OCS funding awards are tied to a specific program, and cannot be transferred to another program.
If you have questions about the application, please contact the Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Office by email at summerabroad@summer.harvard.edu.
Cost & Expenses
The program fee includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Scheduled program activities
- Some meals (the program will provide further details)
- Harvard Summer School health insurance plan
You will also need to budget for a number of expenses not covered by the program fee. The amounts listed below for these out-of-pocket expenses are approximate, and you may incur additional expenses not noted here. Your actual expenses will depend on a number of factors, including personal spending habits and currency exchange rates. Note that expense categories–especially airfare–may be subject to significant fluctuations.
- International airfare ($1,600 – $2,000)
- Ground transportation ($200)
- Meals ($1,500)
- Personal expenditures, communications, course materials, and miscellaneous ($1100)
If you have specific questions about personal budgeting, please contact the program directly.
See Funding and Payment for information on how to submit payments and funding options.
Additional Information
- Questions? Contact Catherine Glover at cglover@fas.harvard.edu
- Need an accommodation? See Students in Need of Accommodations to request one through the Accessibility Services Office.
- Accepted to the program? See Admitted Students for information about predeparture requirements.
