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Introduction
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Seoul on this two-week program, where you’ll live like a Korean student while exploring the city’s attractions, cultural sites, and dynamic K-Pop scene. Stay in university accommodation as you attend lectures, field trips, and convergence activities linking industry and academia. Highlights include ideation practice, hackathons, design concepts, and a visit to the Korea Brand Design Centre at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. With a mix of academic learning and cultural immersion, this program offers a unique taste of Korean student life in the heart of Seoul.
- Immerse yourself in the lifestyle of culture of South Korea
- Attend university lectures & take part in field trips
- Develop your personal skills
The programme will be based at Hongik University, Seoul.
Further information can be found on the programme landing page.
Programme Description
On this programme students will explore the dazzling city of Seoul as they experience the lifestyle and culture of a Korean student. Students will visit various attractions and cultural sites, whilst immersing themselves in the growing K-Pop scene. They will attend university lectures of a chosen course and join in with related field trips. Field trips in the past have included visits to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the Samsung Transportation Museum as well as Kakao Entertainment. These will be with other students and the aim is to better understand their chosen industry in South Korea in addition to experiencing Korean student life.
Programme Objectives
- Participate in knowledge exchange at a Korean university, learning about local understanding and practices.
- Develop transferrable skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, leadership, and adaptability.
- Deepen industry skills and knowledge to contribute to a tangible project.
Programme Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Saturday & Sunday
When you arrive at Incheon airport (ICN), you'll be welcomed by your group mentor to kickstart your adventure! They’ll take you to your accommodation in Seoul, help you settle in and organise your welcome dinner. You will have the rest of the weekend free to explore Seoul, get to know your new home!
Days 3-7: Monday - Friday
Monday will be your first day living the life of a South Korean university student! This week you will attend lectures and participate in relevant field trips with other
students to better understand your chosen industry in South Korea in addition to experiencing Korean student life.
Days 8 & 9: Saturday & Sunday
The weekend is free for you to explore Seoul and experience all that this incredible city has to offer. You may choose to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace or take in the spectacular views from the N-Seoul Tower observatory. This is also the perfect opportunity to discover more of South Korea's delicious cuisine with traditional dishes such as Spicy Korean Ramyun and Kimbap (Korean Stuffed Rice Roll).
Days 10 - 14: Monday - Friday
This week will be structured the same as the week before. You will continue to attend lectures and field trips with other students.
You will have evenings to relax or explore... we recommend trying a Hanbok experience
Day 15: Saturday
Today you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or to continue your travels elsewhere.
Key Information
Programme Provider
Challenges Abroad
Dates
4 – 18 July 2026 (allow for a day or two either side for travel)
Eligibility
Open to Registered Undergraduate or Postgraduate students (part-time or full-time). Not suitable for final year students.
Programme cost
Funding is available for eligible students to assist towards the programme cost. The programme cost is £1695 made payable direct to Challenges Abroad (this includes the £195 registration fee),
Student contribution: £250
Flights
In addition to the funding you will receive towards the Programme Cost, return flights from Dublin airport will be included and will be booked on your behalf.
Programme Cost Includes
- On Campus Dormitory Style Accommodation
- In-country travel
- Airport Transfers provided
- 24/7 in-country support
- Pre-Departure support
Additional Costs
Vaccination - Measles vaccination certificate and a negative TB test result dated within 3 months of departure.
Visa – K-ETA requirement approx. $8 USD
Meals approx. £3 per meal on campus.
| Application | Submit your application. |
|---|---|
Application Deadline | 15 March 2026 |
Interview | You will be invited to an online group interview if you are shortlisted at application stage. |
Interview Guidance | If you require support and guidance to help you prepare for interview reach out to your Employability & Graduate Futures Team. You can request a 1:1 appointment via Handshake or contact the team via e-mail: graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk |
Widening Access and Participation
You will be eligible for a higher rate of Turing Scheme funding if you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are in receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- You are from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
- You receive Income Support or Universal Credit and are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with them, such as a child or partner
- You are from a background of care
- You have caring responsibilities
- You have no living parents
- Your parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
- You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Proof of the above criteria will be required as part of your application.
Pre-Departure Information
If you are selected for this opportunity following successful application and interview, the following details will help you prepare for pre-departure:
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet the host country's immigration requirements. This will vary depending on the type of passport you hold. Further advice on the visa application will be provided as part of the pre-departure process, but it is your responsibility to ensure your familiarity with this.
Please note, if travelling out of Dublin airport, students without a British or Irish passport may also need an additional Irish visa.
Ensure you read through the South Korea travel advice - GOV.UK
You will automatically be covered for emergency travel insurance and medical emergency cover through Ulster University’s Group Personal Accident and Travel insurance policy for the duration of this programme.
Review the cover thoroughly to check it's sufficient for your needs; if it does not cover everything, you will need to take out additional cover.
Ensure you read through the recommended vaccine requirements for the country you are travelling to.
There’s lots to think about before, during and after your programme. Read the Pre-departure Guide thoroughly for advice on to how to prepare and what to expect from your experience abroad.
Once final candidates have been selected you will be invited to a number of mandatory pre-departure sessions to help you prepare for your programme. This will be an opportunity for you to meet other students who will be joining you and it is a requirement of the programme that you attend.
As part of the pre-departure preparation, you will be asked to submit a mandatory travel preparation form and a medical disclosure form. Both forms are required so we can assess that you are fully prepared for the programme and can provide you with additional support if required.
