The Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Seoul National University (SNU) organizes the International Summer Program (ISP) every year at the end of the spring semester. ISP is a five-week academic program that invites undergraduate and graduate students from around the globe to explore diverse academic opportunities at SNU. Participants also engage in various cultural activities, offering them a chance to experience Korean culture and society in depth. The program has seen a steady increase in participants each year, with over 5,000 students from around the world having joined since its inception in 2007. This year, the ISP ran from June 24 to July 27.
2024 ISP students participating in classes
2024 ISP students participating in classes
Academic Exploration at Seoul National University
The ISP offers over 30 courses, ranging from AI engineering to traditional Korean culture, allowing students to explore diverse academic fields. All courses are conducted in English and taught not only by SNU professors but also by distinguished faculty members from other universities who excel in their respective research areas.
Students participating in the ISP can enroll in up to three courses, earning a maximum of 9 credits. As long as class times do not overlap, they are free to select courses based on their interests. This flexibility encourages students to freely explore their passions and deepen their understanding of their academic fields. Wong Chen Yi, a student from Nanyang Technological University who participated in this year’s ISP, took “Introduction to Psychology” and “Aerobiology: The Study of Life in the Air.” While the psychology class allowed him to explore a new academic field, the aerobiology course helped him expand his knowledge in his major, Chemical and Biological Engineering.
In recent years, some of the most popular ISP courses have been “Hallyu and Korean Media Culture” and “Korean Art and Asian Painting.” The popularity of these courses reflects the global interest in Korean culture. Students enrolled in these classes explore both Korea's traditional and contemporary cultures in depth, gaining insights into how Korea’s past has shaped its modern social environment.
Understanding Modern Korea
Beyond the classroom, the ISP also includes field trips in Seoul and its surrounding areas. One notable activity, conducted in collaboration with the SNU Center for Sport Development & Promotion, offers students the opportunity to experience Korean cultural performances and sports firsthand, such as Taekwondo and K-pop dance. Weekly field trips, held every Friday, included visits to sites such as Seoul City, Everland, Lotte World, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Jason Bacolor, a student from Nanyang Technological University, described the DMZ visit as his most memorable experience. He shared, “It’s a place that’s difficult to visit on your own, and standing in a location I’d only seen on the news felt surreal yet incredibly fascinating.”
2024 ISP field trips
2024 ISP field trips
2024 ISP students
As evidenced by the growing number of participants each year, the international interest in the ISP highlights the program's value. Moving forward, Seoul National University plans to continue providing a platform where global talents come together to share knowledge and culture.