Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the summer in Yongin, South Korea, which is a major city in the Seoul metropolitan area and about 50 minutes from the Seoul city center by bus or subway. On-site, the program is coordinated by Dankook University Korean Language Center and Dankook University International Summer School. Students have three options: 1) 10 weeks of Korean language from early June to early August; 2) Global Village (three weeks) and Academic Program (four weeks) for a total of 7 weeks; or 3) Academic Program (4 weeks).
2024 application deadline: Friday, Feb. 16
Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser on STAR Balance.
Informational meetings:
Approximate summer program dates:
| Korean Language | June 3 – August 9, 2024 |
| Academic Program only | July 10 – August 8, 2024 |
| Global Village and Academic Program | June 19 – August 8, 2024 |
Host Institution
Dankook University 단국대학교 is a private institution of approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It was founded in 1947. Over 150+ degree programs are offered, and there are two campuses: Jukjeon (in the Seoul metropolitan area) and Cheonan. The program is housed under the Dankook University Korean Language Center and Dankook University International Summer School.
Curriculum
The UHM Summer at Dankook University provides students an opportunity to fulfill UHM elective and/or Hawaiian/Second Language (HSL) requirements for graduation. Below are the three options:
- Students can take 10 weeks of Korean language courses. Classes run Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and cultural classes are offered.
- Students can participate in the Global Village and teach a language 5 hours a day over 12 days, for a total of 60 teaching hours. Teaching materials are provided, and students will be randomly assigned to either the Jukjeon or Cheonan campus. Students will receive airfare reimbursement in cash on the last day of Global Village up to USD1,000 and free accommodations during the Global Village period. For students assigned to the Cheonan campus, there will be a bus arranged by Dankook University to the Jukjeon campus, where the Academic Program is held. Students cannot participate in only the Global Village. Students interested in participating in the Global Village must also participate in the Academic Program immediately after.
- Students can participate in the Academic Program. Students take 1 morning class (9:00 am to 12:00 pm) and 1 afternoon class (1:00-4:00 pm) from Monday through Thursday. Students can choose to participate in only the Academic Program if they wish.
Korean Language program equivalencies
- Level 1 = KOR 105 (8 credits)
- Level 2 = KOR 105 (8 credits)
- Level 3 = KOR 205 (8 credits)
- Level 4 = KOR 305 (6 credits)
- Level 5, 6 = KOR 401 & KOR 402 (6 credits)
Academic Program equivalencies
| Dankook University course title | Time | UHM equivalency |
| Contemporary Korean Culture and Society | Morning | ASAN 320K Asia Past and Present: Korea |
| Intercultural Communication | Morning | –No Communication credit– |
| English Language Teaching and Learning | Morning | SLS 303 Second Language Teaching |
| Fashion Entrepreneurship | Morning | FDM 491 Topics in Fashion |
| Korean Language-Beginner | Morning/Afternoon | KOR 111 Elementary Conversational Korean |
| Korean Language-Intermediate | Morning/Afternoon | KOR 112 Elementary Conversational Korean II |
| Korean Language-Advanced | Morning/Afternoon | KOR 211 Intermediate Conversational Korean I |
| Mindfulness for Students | Afternoon | |
| Social Media in a Global Context | Afternoon | –No Communication credit– |
| American Foreign Policy: America’s Wars in Asia | Afternoon | |
| Critical Fashion Thinking & Practice | Afternoon | FDM 496 Field Study in the Fashion Industry |
| Korea and Globalization | Afternoon | SOC 358 Sociology of Korea |
Courses taken at Dankook University will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM courses.
FACULTY RESIDENT DIRECTOR
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. The Resident Director oversees students’ academic progress, mentors and/or tutors all participants. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director, in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
Summer 2024: Daniel Isbell, UHM Dept. of Second Language Studies. Click here for his student experiential learning plan.
Location
Yongin is a major city in the Seoul metropolitan area with a population over 1 million and home to Everland and Caribbean Bay, two of South Korea’s most popular amusement and water parks. Yongin is also home to the Korean Folk Village. Dankook’s main Jukjeon campus is 50 minutes by bus or subway from Seoul city center.
Housing
Students will live in an on-campus dorm with one other student. Each room has two single beds, desks, chairs, closets, a phone, WiFi, and a private bathroom. Students will need to complete a TB test (within 2 months prior to dorm move-in date) and submit their TB test results upon arrival.
Photos
Please visit this website for pictures from Dankook University’s Academic Program and Global Village.
Excursions & Extracurricular Activities
The program fee includes on-campus and off-campus cultural activities and field trips. See below for examples of on-campus and off-campus cultural activities and field trips.
Program Cost (2024)
TBA
Cost will include Dankook University tuition, accommodations, all meals, textbooks, airport pick-up, orientation, ground transportation, excursions, health insurance, UHM Study Abroad and incidental fees.
Roundtrip airfare is not included in the program cost. Students have the option of taking a flight between Honolulu and Seoul (Incheon) arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own travel arrangements. Note that all students who complete the Global Village will receive their airfare cost in cash up to USD1,000 on the last day of the Global Village.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the preceding spring semester, or b) you complete the Financial Aid application during the preceding spring semester. UHM Financial Aid: www.hawaii.edu/fas.
NON-UHM STUDENTS: (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institution.
SCHOLARSHIP
See the Money Matters & Resources page for a list of possible scholarships.
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is designed for undergraduate students interested in studying Korean language and culture or other electives and completing their foreign language requirement.
Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have taken the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and two academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center to receive consideration.
Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.