Education Abroad Portal

GGC Exchange Program: Sookmyung Women's University (Seoul, South Korea)

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024!

Grizzlies have traveled to many places in Africa, Europe, South and Central Americas, and Asia.

One of our missions is to increase the number of GGC students participating in study abroad programs across disciplines and expand student participation in a broad range of other international opportunities.

GGC's Exchange programs enable students to study for a semester or an academic year at a college or university with which GGC has an exchange agreement. This means that GGC students can study abroad for the same price as GGC's tuition and fees. Classes may be taught in English, the host language, or both. Courses taken through GGC exchanges or with GGC exchange partners count as transfer credit.

Exchange programs are a great option if you're looking for an immersive, flexible experience. You will have access to the same services and resources as full-time students at your host university, and many exchange students get involved with local student organizations and clubs while abroad.
 

ABOUT SOOKMYUNG WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY

GENTLE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD. CHALLENGING THE PATH TO BECOMING THE FOREMOST DIGITAL HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD.

117 years ago, Sookmyung Women's University embarked on its journey as the first women's history school in Korea, a legacy that continues to resonate powerfully today. Sookmyung Women’s University is South Korea’s first national private women’s school. It was founded in 1906 by Royal Family during the latter stages of the Korean empire, one of the most difficult periods in the nation’s history. Throughout its history, Sookmyung has accumulated invaluable educational experience, research capabilities and community service experience. 

Sookmyung’s Semester Abroad Program offers a unique opportunity for university students currently enrolled in institutions outside of Korea. Both male and female students are eligible to apply. As a study abroad student, you can earn credits towards your home degree while immersing yourself in a valuable international and intercultural experience in Korea.

Explore Korean culture in one of East Asia's largest metropolises where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways, and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces, and street markets. Sookmyung boasts the best educational environment thanks to their advantageous location at the center of Seoul, which is open and connected in all directions and center of politics, culture, and economy of Korea. Their location allows students to venture to various areas such as downtown centers and beautiful rural areas as well. There will be many opportunities to venture on and off campus through lectures and field trips.

To learn more about Sookmyung Women's University, check visit the international students website here.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

*Read this application process and other sections of this brochure thoroughly and reach out to the Office of Internationalization (internationalization@ggc.edu) for any questions or additional information.*

Monday, April 1, 2024 is the deadline to sign up for all Fall 2024 exchange programs.

There are TWO applications you will need to complete, one for GGC and one for the university to which you are seeking the exchange.

GGC APPLICATION
This GGC application process will work in phases; some “materials,” questionnaires, learning content modules, and other requirements might show up as you move along the application (as your status is moved from “pending” to “accepted” to “committed”). Therefore, do not think once you have completed the initial requirements that you are fully accepted and good to go. Once your application status has been moved to “committed” then you will know that you can move to complete the SECOND application (the university's application on their separate website).

HOST UNIVERSITY APPLICATION
Your second application will require you to have a nomination/recommendation from our office, so please remember to fill out the GGC application first.

Click here to complete Sookmyung's visiting student & student exchange application. For detailed information such as course options, semester start and end dates, accommodations,  and important deadlines, please read the Sookmyung Women's University Fact Sheet or visit the international students website. 

It is a good idea to reach out to Moriah King (mking36@ggc.edu) early in the process to help you navigate the host university application and required materials. Moriah is your primary point of contact, so feel free to reach out for help. If she cannot help you directly, she can get you in contact with whoever can.
 

COURSE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

REGISTERING FOR COURSES AT SOOKMYUNG
Before arriving at Sookmyung, students will have a chance to register for courses online. Prospective students will review the course catalog and select their courses using the online application form. Sookmyung recommends a minimum course load of 9 credits and a maximum of 18 credits; however, you must meet with your academic advisor to decide how your anticipated course load fits in your degree of study.

Sookmyung offers up to 150 courses in English through undergraduate and graduate programs. Students can choose a variety of courses including, but not limited to:

• Korean language
• International Studies
• Korean Studies
• Business
• Economics

Korean Language Courses: All levels of Korean language courses are offered to exchange students during their semester abroad at Sookmyung--Level I-VI: Beginner to Advanced--for 3 credits.

To browse the 2023-2024 course catalog, click here and select 'Type of Lecture' and then 'English.' The most up-to-date course list becomes available a month prior to the beginning of the semester.

TRANSFERRING CREDITS TO GGC
As a part of the application process, students should see a Course Approval Form and Transient Request Form in their "requirements" section after beginning this application.
Instructions are listed, forms are hyperlinked, and reach out to Moriah King (mking36@ggc.edu) to understand more about how to fill out these forms and who you will need to work with to complete them. Make sure to include backup courses in these forms, as your preferred options might be canceled, fill up, or otherwise become unavailable.

Academic advisors cannot advise on course equivalencies. This will be handled with the Study Abroad Point of Contact and Dean approvers, which Moriah can help you determine. The student is responsible for determining which courses they would like to take abroad and how they would like to be transferred into their degree program. Students must work with an academic advisor to understand how GGC courses will fit into their degree program, but again, they cannot advise on course equivalencies themselves. 

Prior to departure, confirm with the registrar that you are registered correctly prior to departure.
This step is critical for receiving academic credit towards your degree, in addition to receiving financial aid for the term, if applicable. Make sure that you have registered for courses that have been pre-approved in your Course Approval Form/Transient Form! If you are unable to register for your preferred courses, make sure to send us updated forms.

After program completion, grades do not automatically transfer back.
It is the student's responsibility to have a transcript sent back to GGC in a timely manner for review to have courses reviewed and entered into their degree program thereafter. Please be aware of different grading scales abroad and how those might transfer to GGC. Please also be aware of different academic calendars and how those most likely will not align exactly with GGC's term dates.

COST & FINANCIAL AID

PROGRAM COST: GGC students can study abroad for the same price as GGC's tuition and fees when participating in an exchange program. However, the total cost to participate varies, when factoring in such costs as room and board, airfare, passport and visa fees, personal expenses, and incidentals. Additionally, all GGC Global Grizzlies are required to obtain international health insurance. For detailed information such as course options, semester start and end dates, accommodations, and important deadlines, please read the Sookmyung Women's University Fact Sheet or visit the international students website.* 

SOOKMYUNG'S COST OF LIVING (ESTIMATE FOR ONE SEMESTER, OR 4 MONTHS)**

FINANCIAL AID:*** Your GGC financial aid can pay towards tuition if you study abroad through the GGC Office of Internationalization, meaning if you fill out the GGC app and are fully accepted/committed. Although you will not be taking courses at GGC, you will at that point still be considered a matriculated student with our office's nomination/recommendation. You will need to speak with the financial aid office to confirm the exact amount that your financial aid can cover for tuition, how you usually would for a local semester at GGC.

*Please read the fact sheet and note the housing application deadline for Fall 2024 is between July 10-14, 2024.
** Does not include tuition and fees, which will be paid to GGC, or airfare, passport and visa fees, international health insurance, and incidentals.
***Bear in mind that your financial aid cannot pay for costs such as airfare, food, housing, etc. You will make any room and board payments directly to the host university.

CONTACT

For more information, click 'Request Info' below or contact the Office of Internationalization (internationalization@ggc.edu).