Location:

Jeonju, Korea

Program Type:

Intensive Language

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Duration:

1-3 months

Language:

Korean

Program Overview

Program Description:

The American Councils Korean Overseas Program (KOP) is an intensive 8-week overseas immersion program in Jeonju, Korea. It offers students the opportunity to gain new cultural knowledge and language competency while experiencing the vibrant everyday life and unique traditions of South Korea. The program was established to serve participants from a variety of language levels and backgrounds, including advanced students and those learning the language for the first time. American Councils has partnered with Chonbuk National University since 2010 to provide Korean language training in an overseas immersion setting. The university was founded in 1947 with a mandate to foster rigorous and ethical academic research. It is one of the largest universities in South Korea and offers a wide variety of courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, as well as nationally-renowned programs in agriculture and the natural sciences. Its mission is to cultivate leaders and to promote excellence in teaching and research.

Participants receive approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction at Chonbuk National University (CBNU). The small group classes are designed to strengthen speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in Korean. Language courses cover topics in literature, history, politics, culture, and area studies. All classes are conducted by host-country faculty with extensive experience teaching Korean to foreign students. All American Councils programs are accredited through Bryn Mawr College, an institutional member of American Councils. Upon successful completion of the program, Bryn Mawr issues 8 undergraduate or 10 graduate hours of credit in Korean language (grammar and conversation) for the summer program. To aid cultural integration and support academic learning, participants meet with conversational partners and participate on frequent cultural excursions. Each week participants receive two hours of tutoring. Peer tutors introduce participants to local young people, accompany participants on sightseeing tours, organize cultural activities (cinema, museum, etc.), and provide students with academic support. The peer tutors are expected to speak only Korean.

For more than 35 years, American Councils has operated comprehensive language immersion programs for thousands of students and scholars. Participants greatly benefit from individual attention in our small classes and from interaction with host faculty who have extensive experience in second language acquisition. In addition to classroom learning, American Councils emphasizes language immersion outside of the academic program through: - volunteer opportunities at sites such as local public schools, charity organizations, and international NGOs; - cultural excursions, discussion groups, and extracurricular activities; and - life with local host-families where they can become fully immersed in language, culture, and cuisine. All participants receive undergraduate- or graduate-level academic credit through Bryn Mawr College.

Setting Description:

Located in Jeonju, South Korea, the program offers students the opportunity to explore life in a city known for its traditional food, history, sports and festivals. Jeonju has approximately 500,000 inhabitants and is approximately three hours south-west from Seoul.