17 WEEKS | 15 CREDITS

Culture, Media, & Technology in Seoul

Discover the innovation and creativity that drives Korean culture during a semester living and learning in Seoul. While taking classes at EF’s Study Center and Hanyang University, you’ll experience local culture through independent exploration and bolster your curriculum during immersive excursions in cities like Daejeon and Busan. You’ll return home with a greater understanding of how culture, technology, and media influence the world, and the tools to thrive in college and beyond.

UPCOMING TRAVEL DATES

Aug. 18, 2025 – Dec. 22, 2025


EF Coursework

Our EF Study Center in Seoul sits in the heart of the trendy Gangnam district. Here, you’ll take Korean language lessons and complete an EF-led course focused on real-world skills.

3 CREDITS

Students will jumpstart their journeys with an immersive Korean language course at our EF Study Center. After being placed in the class that aligns with their skill levels, students will dive into coursework alongside learners from around the world and continue honing their language skills through optional activities, such as Korean movie nights and neighborhood visits. 

3 CREDITS

During this EF-led course, students will examine their place in the world as they explore what matters to them, what they believe in, and what they want to achieve. Through reflection and engagement with their peers and the local community, students will learn to work through differences to address challenges related to the economy, environment, politics, education, technology, and society. 

Hanyang University Coursework

Enroll in the curated courses below at Hanyang University, where you’ll learn alongside students from around the world and explore your program’s academic themes: culture, media, and technology. 

3 CREDITS

In this course, students will cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the impact of scientific and technological advancements on modern society and explore the ways society thinks about controls to ensure a balance between the risks and rewards of technological advancement.  

3 CREDITS

This course examines the profound influence of platform businesses on contemporary economies. Throughout this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how platforms generate and capitalize on value in today’s digital landscape.

3 CREDITS

South Korea has emerged as a new center for transnational popular culture. In this course, students will explore the evolutionary nature of the Korean wave in a global digital age, and address the social, cultural, and political implications of this cultural revolution.   

Program excursions

These group excursions allow you to explore different regions and gain deeper insights into your host country through guided exploration and cultural immersion.

Visit Daejeon, South Korea’s “Silicon Valley,” to learn more about how this small country became a global leader in technology and innovation. Engage with established and start-up tech organizations. 

Visit the beautiful seaside city of Busan, known for it's stunning beaches, fresh seafood, and vibrant street markets.

Throughout the semester, connect your curriculum to the world around you alongside industry experts during course-specific field visits, such as learning about 3D modeling at a local startup and visiting Seoul’s Digital Media City. You'll also deepen your understanding of South Korean culture with a visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple.


Snapshots from the road

What's included

Tuition for this 17-week program is $22,500 and payment plans are available. In addition to all on-program course enrollments, your tuition covers:

“There’s a concept in Korea called jeong, which loosely translates to connectedness. The people in Seoul embody this in ways as simple as sharing food with you at the market or going out of their way to help you navigate the city.”

Adam A.
EF Site Director

Student applicant requirements

Students interested in embarking on an EF Foundation Program must be at least 18 years old, hold a U.S. passport, maintain a 2.5 GPA minimum, and be a high school graduate by departure day in order to apply.