Study in South Korea: Language & Culture
South Korea's language and culture are quite unique. Find out more about what you can expect while going there!
Fun tradition: A time to be thankful! ๐ฅ
Chueok, aka Korean Thanksgiving, is a time to give thanks for a good year's harvest, honor ancestors, strengthen familial ties, eat Songpyeon, and much more!
South Korea has one official language: Korean, a language isolate, meaning it's a language that is unlike any other, living or dead. Korean has its own grammar system, vocabulary and alphabet: Hangul script.ย
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Want to take a study break to enjoy K-pop๐ถ, k-dramas๐บ, and, of course, Korean barbecue๐? Check out our programs in South Korea and enjoy all 3!
History and status of South Korea
South Korea has existed since 1948, when it was separated from North Korea, which ultimately led to the Korean War. In the decades since separation, the South Korean dialect has been influenced by globalization. As such, the Korean spoken in each country is quite different, although still mutually intelligible.ย
South Korea is a safe country. Its crime rate is extremely low, and there has been no recent history of terror attacks. It is also a free country, with human rights and civil liberties enshrined in the constitution. Regular free elections are held that often result in peaceful transfers of power.ย
Although influenced by the West since 1948, South Korean culture is still pretty unique. South Koreans are, by nature, extremely private. Any behavior that isn't private or orderly, like shouting or drunkenness, is frowned upon in South Korea. Politeness and gratitude are also core South Korean values, so expect to thank or be thanked no matter how small the service or gesture may be.ย
South Korea is a fairly socially conservative country. Although attitudes on many issues, particularly LGBT rights, are shifting rapidly, with Pride parades now commonplace in Seoul and Daegu each June.ย
As safe as South Korea is, it's still technically at war with North Korea. The Korean War ended in 1953 with a truce, not a treaty. Relations between the two Koreas often shift. There is regular contact between the leaders of both countries. They even sometimes meet in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), which separates the two countries. That said, there have been few outbreaks of serious violence since 1953. Tourists often even visit the DMZ.
Learn more about studying in South Korea:
Study in South Korea - Overview
Want an overview of this remarkable country? This section examines South Korean culture, the landscape, the unique language, and the main sectors. This section also summarises why a South Korean degree can give you a competitive edge.
Education in South Korea
Given its great reputation, reasonable fees, and fascinating culture and language, South Korea is becoming a go-to destination for a variety of students. Take a minute to learn more about the structure of South Korea's education system!
Student Visas
Learn more about the student visa process and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship.
Housing & Living Costs
No matter where you study abroad, it's important to create a budget in advance to be prepared. Therefore, we've detailed average living and housing costs so that you can better understand what you would be paying as a student in South Korea.
Tuition Fees & Scholarships
Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in South Korea, but these fees can vary greatly. Find out more!
Application Process
Learn more about the standard application process in South Korea. There's no national application portal, so this section covers what you'll generally need to do when applying to individual schools in South Korea.
Programs
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