Study in South Korea!
Institution
Founded in 1946, Kookmin University was the first national private university in Korea after being liberated from Japan. It is currently the seventh-largest university in Seoul and is home to nearly 24,000 students. The campus is located adjacent to Bukhansan National Park, a nature preserve located right in the heart of one of the world’s biggest cities. Kookmin University is one of the leading private universities in Korea, with a total of 15 various colleges and 15 postgraduate schools. With an educational mission to foster leaders not only for Korea but for the world, Kookmin provides students with a global perspective and with opportunities to experience the world academically, culturally, and professionally.
Location
Seoul is located in the northwest corner of South Korea, and the Han River winds through the city, splitting it in two. It is an intriguing city, transforming itself from the Yi Dynasty capital of the Hermit Kingdom, to a major mover and shaker on the international scene, especially in the fields of commerce and sports. Despite the modern high-rises and freeways, the cityscape retains pockets of centuries-old temples, palaces, pagodas, and gardens.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Late August to Late December
- Spring Semester: Early March to Mid June
For more information about the Academic Calendar please visit the
USAC Kookmin webpage.
Housing
During the semester students can apply to stay in Student Apartments or Residence Halls. Most students will stay in the Student Apartments given the limited availability of space in the Residence Halls. During the summer students will stay in the Residence Halls.
For more information please visit the USAC Kookmin webpage.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester |
| 1USAC Tuition & Fees |
See USAC |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
| Intl Health Development Fee |
$60 |
1Tuition and fees are charged at the USAC rate.
2The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
| Housing |
$600 - $3000 |
| Airfare |
$1300 - $1800 |
| Meals |
$1200 - $1800 |
| 1Personal Expenses |
$1000 - $1600 |
| Books and Materials |
$300 - $400 |
| Local Transportation |
$150 - $300 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$150 |
| Passport |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
$500 - $1000 |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
USAC Scholarships
USAC offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
USAC’s partnership with Kookmin University provides you with a wide array of courses taught in English. You are required to enroll in the equivalency of at least 12 US credits per semester. A typical course load at Kookmin is 12-15 credits per semester. Kookmin offers courses across a wide range of departments with particular strengths in Fine Arts and Design, Business, Humanities and Area Studies, Korean Language, and Social Sciences. For more information please visit the USAC Kookmin webpage.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the Nagasaki program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a USAC program should complete the
USAC application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me webpage.