Program Overview

Program Overview

In this exchange program, students will enroll directly in classes at Yonsei University, one of the top-ranked universities in South Korea. Students may take Korean language classes as well as courses taught in English on culture and society, economics, business, history, international relations, and other subjects.

Academic Details

• Note: UO credits listed below are estimates and are subject to change.
  • Please refer to the Yonsei links for the updated credit information on their classes.
  • One credit at Yonsei is equal to 1.5 UO quarter credits.
• Students will select from classes taught in English from the following Schools:
  • Liberal Arts
  • Commerce and Economics
  • Business
  • Science
  • Engineering
  • Life System
  • Theology
  • Social Science
  • Human Ecology
  • Sciences in Education
  • Underwood International College
  • Korean Language (KLI)
• Exchange students often take many of their classes in the Underwood International College alongside other international students and Korean students.
• This college offers a variety of classes on subjects such as Korean and Asian studies, economics and business, arts and culture, political science, history, sociology, and more.
• Students with an advanced level in Korean may also be able to directly enroll in regular classes taught in Korean.
• Yonsei University is AACSB accredited and has a strong business program; however, please note that business courses are restricted to business majors only, and students can take a maximum of four business classes per semester.
• Students have the choice to take a Korean language class while at Yonsei.
• Students can take a Korean language course in the Underwood International College, which is usually worth 3 semester credits (5 UO credits), or they can take a Korean language class in the Korean Language Institute, which is usually worth 6 semester credits (9 UO credits), or they can take one of each.
• Students usually take 3-6 content classes per semester for around 15-30 UO credits.
• In this program, students will earn around 15-30 UO credits per semester.
• Up to 14 of these credits can be Korean language credit.

Course Equivalencies

• UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.
• Non-UO students: actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at the student's university in consultation with the study abroad office.

Additional Requirements

• Junior standing or above is required for the Fall and Academic Year programs.
• Sophomores may participate in the Spring semester (winter and spring terms) of their sophomore year.
• Note: If some of the student's credits are transfer or high school credits, please check with the GEO advisor regarding whether the student is eligible.
• There is no language requirement, but one year of Korean is recommended for the semester and year-long program in order to facilitate daily life in Seoul.
• If the student plans to take content classes taught in Korean, they will need to show proof of Korean language proficiency and also get approval from the course professor.

Housing Description

• Yonsei University has two on-campus residence halls SK Global House and International House.
• These residence halls house students from all over the world in a multicultural atmosphere.
• The main language used in the residence halls is English, and the duty managers and residential assistants are capable of assisting the residents in multiple languages.
• Both single and double rooms are available.
• Residence halls include amenities such as a lounge, computer lab, and laundry room.
• Please note that on-campus housing is not guaranteed due to limited spaces.
• Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis after the housing application becomes available.
• Please note that off-campus housing may be more expensive and will require making more arrangements.

Budget and Price

Yonsei University Exchange

• Exchange programs have a fixed program fee that is calculated based on the student's Oregon residency status and the number of semesters that they spend abroad.
• Please note that the terms available for each exchange vary based on the university's academic calendar.
• Please only include the relevant program fee when determining the estimated total cost of attendance.

2025 Fall Semester

• GEO Program Fees
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Oregon Resident: $4,885
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Non-Resident: $11,550
  • UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester): $500
  • Estimated UO Insurance: $335
• Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Estimated housing: $1,700
  • Estimated meals: $1,800
  • Estimated airfare from Eugene: $1,800
  • Estimated books & course supplies: $350
  • Estimated cost of acquiring passport: $150
  • Estimated cell phone expenses: $200
  • Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical: $50
  • Estimated local transportation: $290
  • Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance: $140
  • Estimated visa expenses: $50
  • Estimated additional living expenses: $1,000
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Oregon Resident: $13,250
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Non-Resident: $19,915

Academic Year

• GEO Program Fees
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Oregon Resident: $9,770
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Non-Resident: $23,100
  • UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester): $1,000
  • Estimated UO Insurance: $790
• Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Estimated housing: $4,000
  • Estimated meals: $4,500
  • Estimated airfare from Eugene: $1,800
  • Estimated books & course supplies: $700
  • Estimated cost of acquiring passport: $150
  • Estimated cell phone expenses: $500
  • Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical: $50
  • Estimated local transportation: $580
  • Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance: $350
  • Estimated visa expenses: $50
  • Estimated additional living expenses: $2,500
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Oregon Resident: $26,740
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Non-Resident: $40,070

2026 Spring Semester

• GEO Program Fees
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Oregon Resident: $4,885
  • UO Exchange Program Fee Non-Resident: $11,550
  • UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester): $500
  • Estimated UO Insurance: $335
• Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Estimated housing: $1,700
  • Estimated meals: $1,800
  • Estimated airfare from Eugene: $1,800
  • Estimated books & course supplies: $350
  • Estimated cost of acquiring passport: $150
  • Estimated cell phone expenses: $200
  • Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical: $50
  • Estimated local transportation: $290
  • Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance: $140
  • Estimated visa expenses: $50
  • Estimated additional living expenses: $1,000
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Oregon Resident: $13,250
• Total Estimated Total Cost of Participation Non-Resident: $19,915

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation Date | Cancellation Penalty
  • Upon acceptance to the program: Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
  • 8 weeks before program start date: Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
  • Program start date or after program begins: Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
• Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

Dates and Deadlines

• Term | Year | Deadline | Arrival Date | Departure Date
  • Fall Semester | 2026 | 02/01/2026 | Late August | Late December
  • Academic Year | | 02/01/2026 | Late August | Late June
  • Spring Semester | 2027 | 02/01/2026 | Late February | Late June

Language Requirement

• Language Requirement: None
• Academic Standing by Program Start: See Additional Requirements
• Location: Asia, South Korea
• GPA: 3.0

Program Structure

• The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review the student's application materials, and a decision about their enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline.
• In some cases, an interview is required.
• If the program requires an interview, the student will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline.
• Early applications are encouraged.
• Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO.
• Selection will be based on a holistic review of the student's application.
• This includes a review of the student's GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.
• Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps.
• If the student receives a nomination from GEO, they will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by the host university directly.
• Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO.
• The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.