Office of Programs for Study Abroad : Program Details

NOTE: This program is open to all students whose nationality is not Korean. Korean-American students should make an appointment with an advisor in the study abroad office to discuss eligibilty for this program.

University: Purdue students will enroll as visiting students in the Underwood International College, where all courses are taught in English. As the oldest university in Korea, Yonsei University was first established in 1885. The university is particularly fortunate to have a spacious, quiet, and well-wooded campus located just 20 minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of the Seoul metropolitan area. With its student body comprised of the top 1 percent of high school graduates in Korea, Yonsei University is proud of its long history as the leading institution of higher education in Korea, as well as of its reputation as the most international university in Korea.

Location: Seoul is mega-modern and appealingly ancient. Partially destroyed by Japanese and Manchu invasions in the 16th and 17th centuries, and almost totally flattened in the Korean War, most of the city has been rebuilt since the 1950s. Peeking out from among the 12-lane freeways, overshadowed by high-rises, Seoul still retains a hidden history of centuries-old temples, palaces, pagodas and pleasure gardens. It also has luxury accommodation, excellent public transport and cultural experiences aplenty, and that's why most visitors to South Korea never get past its city limits. The Han River bisects the city, with Jung-gu the central district, Jongno-gu (with many hotels and sights) to the north, and Itaewon (packed full of shopping, bars and nightlife) just south of the city centre.

Seoul is in the northwest corner of South Korea. The border with North Korea is only about 40km (25mi) from the city centre. The central area is the most important for both sightseeing and accommodation, with Mt Namsan forming the southern perimeter. Tourists and shoppers are well at home in Itaewon, south of Mt Namsan. The Han River winds through the city, splitting it in two. The Gangnam-gu area on the south bank is Seoul's most exclusive neighbourhood, but on the whole, the southern areas have less interest to the traveller than the historic northern neighbourhoods. The World Cup stadium is to the west of the city, in Mapo-gu.

Culture: South Koreans attribute their indigestible culture to the binding agents of Confucianism, language and pride. The stunning landscape has also played a big part in creating a cohesive Korean identity. The country is swathed in green, and the Koreans are obsessed with nature, and with mountains in particular. Wherever you travel, you'll see them out in the open air, clad in the latest adventure fashions, pushing ever onward and upward.

For Korean culture, art, and history, the city of Seoul offers museums, palaces, walls, gates, libraries, and living memories. It is a fascinating city of traditional and modern contrasts. The Yi Dynasty capital is alive in the Kyongbok, Toksu, and Chaggyong Palaces. The National, Folklore, and university museums and the Buddhist temples are just outside the old city walls. For modern Korean culture, Seoul teems with art galleries, music and drama festivals. There are also centers like the Sejong Cultural Center, and thousands of Christian churches, including the largest church in the world.

For more program information, please visit the program website.