Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, South Korea’s capital is a modern metropolis where high-rocket buildings, high-tech subways, and pop culture blend with ancient palaces, Buddhist temples, and street markets. Visitors can experience culture first-hand when wandering through areas like Bukchon Hanok Village, a lovely neighborhood made up of traditional Korean houses with craft shops, art galleries, and even traditional teahouses for the local experience. The capital is one of the megacities surrounded by high mountains and provides opportunities for hiking adventures within reach with the local subway. Seoul is a vibrant city with numerous festivals such as Yeouido Cherry Blossom or Buddha’s Birthday with large parades, fireworks and musical performance—even more so when the sun has set and its people are eager to dine out and have entertainment including Itaewon, Hongdae, and Gangnam. Study abroad students will find that the cost of living is much cheaper to get by compared to Australia, Europe, and North America; especially public transportation and meals at multitude restaurants nearby the campus of Sogang University.

Sogang University, founded by a group of Jesuits from Midwest of the U.S.A. in 1960, is the only Jesuit university in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In spite of its relatively short history, with a 53 acres campus, Sogang university has established its place as one of the top universities in the country. It has been ranked as a top university in Korea. Its engineering research and publication has been ranked number one in the country. The University has 25 departments with seven schools in the undergraduate program with 8,000 students and 408 full-time, tenure-track professors. The institution has 12 graduate schools including professional and special graduate schools with 4000 graduate students in master’s and doctoral programs. About 5,100 international students (degree seeking or non-degree seeking) study yearly at Sogang University in various academic programs. 

This is a fall or spring semester. The fall terms run from beginning of September until end of December  while the spring semesters run from beginning of March till the end of June. The fall group departs together in late August and is home for Christmas break.

Spring semester students will depart together in late February and return in mid-July.

• Consult the Office of International Programs as early as possible to get assistance on course selections at Loyola, so that you are prepared for an academic course load in Sogang
• Some upper level courses for most of the majors are available
• Students will take 5 (3 credit) courses up to maximum 19 credit hours or 6 courses.
• Most courses are taught in English.
• Course list will be distributed.
• Study tours, field trips, and internships as options are available. 

• Students who wish to live on-campus, Gonzaga Hall, must apply for housing during the online application period. Students who apply for on-campus housing are required to submit a Health Report Form, officially signed or stamped by a doctor. At Sogang University, housing for international students is guaranteed.
• There is no private kitchen in Gonzaga Hall. Instead, there are two types of meal plans that students can choose from. Plan A offers 60% of the total number of meals and Plan B offers 85% of the total number of meals. Only breakfast and dinner are served at Gonzaga. Students can also purchase meal vouchers time to time.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• International Insurance Premium
• Housing is paid to Sogang University during your semester there. 
• Students are responsible for all other expenses such as visa, personal travel, and meals.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

• Application Requirements 

  Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

  • Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
  • Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
  • Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

  Criteria for Acceptance

  • Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 2.800
  • Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
  • ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
  • An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.