Youth For Understanding USA
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What kind of exchange experience do you want?
I want to spend a all program lengths  studying in Korea, or maybe all regions. And I'm looking for something with a traditional exchange  and I definitely want to show off my need for  any language skills. Can I go whenever?
  • All around the world.

    all regions
    Africa & Middle East
    Asia & Pacific
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America
    Scandinavian Countries
    Western Europe
    North America
  • Pick a place, any place.

    Say what?

    Any language requirements?

     Any  Yes  No
  • What I'm into.

    a traditional exchange
    a gap year option
    college & university programs
    language classes
    a connection to the Arts
    sports & outdoors
    a volunteer program
  • How long I want to go.

    All program lengths
    Summer
    Short-term
    Semester
    Year-long

    When can I leave?

    whenever
    May to September
    December to March
Show me my options >

Glance

Scholarships Available

385 - Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Stud...
368 - YFU Community Grant
384 - YFU Financial Aid Fund

Age Requirement

All Programs: March 1, 2002 - March 2, 2004. Students who do not meet these age requirements or will graduate high school before the start of their program will not be considered for admission.

Language

Korean. Year and semester students should be prepared to study Korean for at least 3 months (150-180 hours) and have basic information about Korean culture and manners before arrival in Korea. Previous language is not required for summer students.

Host Family Placement

Mostly urban areas or small cities.

School

The school year runs from early March to late December. Summer students may have the opportunity to attend school before the Korean summer vacation starts in the middle of July.

Trips

Year and semester students may choose to take part in optional cultural expeditions. One trip offers a 3 day trip to Jeju Island and another to a 2 day city tour of Busan. Students will pay the associated additional fees while on program in Korea.

Venture on an enticing journey to South Korea! Learn about its ancient heritage and tradition, and see how the new Korea, the "Asian Tiger", is now a major player on the world stage. Go discover a culture very different than U.S. culture.
Learn more about Korea.

Summer Program

Discover Korea

On this month program you'll be immersed in South Korea's daily life, giving you the learning opportunity of a lifetime. Upon arrival in Seoul, YFU will take you and other exchange students on a 2-day cultural exploration of the capital city, a trip that's included in your program tuition. During this time, YFU Korea works with students to create a "to-do" list for their summer, allowing students to have lots of input into the kinds of activities that they wish to participate in.

 

Your summer in South Korea includes a host family stay as well as many short outdoor trips such as visits to the Seoul Tower, the Namsan Hanok Village, the ancient imperial palaces, or famous marketplaces. Throughout these cultural excursions, you will find yourself surrounded by Korean culture and landscape and will be able to compare ancient Korean life with the futuristic aspects of modern Seoul. School is in session during the summer program. However, they will likely have a final examination period over the summer, during which exchange students are not permitted to attend classes. Pending the permission of your host school, you may be able to attend school a few days per week. This will allow you to put your language skills to the test and make new friends!

Academic Year and Semester Programs

School: As a student in South Korea, you will attend a local South Korean school and live with a Korean host family. As all of Korean high schools begin in early March, the program begins in mid-February.

 

Orientations: All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.


Extracurriculars: Korean families strongly encourage their students to take up some Korean activities such as K-pop dance, Taekwondo, and music.

 

Optional excursions: YFU Korea organizes a two-day optional trip to Busan and a two night, three day trip to Jeju Island. Students are guided through beautiful Busan, and have the opportunity to visit Korea's go-to vacation destination that includes a tour, cruise, and horseriding. These trips are offered at an additional cost- between $250-300 for Busan and between $300-400 for Jeju Island, however these prices are subject to change. Details will be provided upon arrival in Korea.

 

Tuition Includes:

-Placement with a host family
-Enrollment in a local Korean high school
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel
-All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a YFU Korea Area Representative while on program
-Comprehensive insurance

 

Additional Information

Visas: YFU will provide students with necessary documents to apply for visa. Upon arrival in Korea, students should be prepared to pay an approximate $100 visa conversion fee and a $30 obligatory foreign registration fee directly to the Korean government. Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. 

 

Additional Costs: Almost all high schools in Korea require students to wear uniforms. The cost of a school uniform is not included in the program tuition, and usually costs around $300. Program tuition does not include personal spending money or school-related costs such as books and school trips.  

 

Important Information: Due to cultural differences, local customs, and school regulations, vegetarians, vegans, and students with strict dietary requirements have not been successfully placed in the Korea program. Additionally, we are unable to accept students who are currently homeschooled or attend an online school to our Korea program.

Programs Code Departure Return Full Tuition
Year
Winter Year

0906  

late February

early January

$15,995
Semester
Fall Semester
Spring Semester

1244  
1253  

mid August
late February

early January
mid July

$14,995
$14,995
Summer
Summer

0420  

early July

early August

$7,995