Summer Study Abroad Program

banner with aerial view of Seoul, South Korea; text: GWIKS Summer Study Abroad Program
Learn More About the 2024 Summer Study Abroad Program!

2023 Program Student Testimonials

The GWIKS Summer Study Abroad Program in South Korea was a keystone moment for my education in Korean Studies and my life as a Korean-American. Throughout the program, I learned more than I thought I could in two weeks about Korean history, culture, economy, society, government, life, and so much more. The institutional visits, meetings with high-level CEOs and government officials, and visit to the DMZ that my group participated in were truly a special opportunity and something that one cannot do alone in Korea without the fantastic connections and organization of the GWIKS Program. Meeting with North Korean defector students, for instance, was a life-changing aspect of the program that I will never forget. I would recommend that anyone interested in Korean Studies apply to this program, and I am extremely grateful for the best two weeks in South Korea that I could have ever imagined.

Alyna Januarius

From being nervous about traveling across the world by myself, to now missing South Korea as if it was my second home, the George Washington Insitute of Korean Studies has provided me with a surreal experience. At Spelman, I dedicate my time to researching aspects of the African Diaspora and the legacy colonialism has had on African countries. I would never have expected that visiting South Korea and learning about its own legacy of colonialism would provide me with the insight I needed to understand my own history. I will forever be grateful to GWIKS for providing me the space to cultivate new understandings and surrounding me with a community of students just as dedicated to advancing their passions. 

Jayda Hendrickson

I have always wanted to visit Korea, not only to reunite with my family who I had not seen in over ten years, but also to feel more connected to my Korean roots. This program gave me the opportunity to learn/experience South Korea in a short span of time while helping me learn about how complex and rich the history is in this small country. I believed I had a pretty good understanding of Korea, but like the kids in Narnia, I stepped into a new world. I realized I knew almost nothing, and only had a surface level understanding. However, through this program I was able to step through and open my eyes to a whole new world. I am so thankful I had the chance to experience Korea with some amazing people and professors because it truly changed my life and gave me some perspective on what I want to do with my major/education with my time at GWU. 

Erin Kim

The GWIKS trip to South Korea was a great and informative experience. We learned about the rich culture and history of South Korea through our visits to museums and restaurants, while growing as GW Scholars and students by engaging in diplomatic talks with leaders in South Korean government and foreign relations. The trip was holistic in nature, which ensured everyone was able to find something that was interesting to them. The high concentration of events, meetings, and experiences – makes for a great time reflecting on the 14 hour flight back to the US. I will always remember and cherish my experience in Korea, and appreciate GWIKS for fostering a community of scholars, leaders, and diplomats with geopolitical focus in Korea and East Asia. 

Terrell Henderson

I am extremely grateful for this experience. I felt like I learned a lot more about Korean history than I had previous knowledge of. I also got the chance to actively practice my Korean. It was really cool how patient and receptive the local people were in meeting me halfway so I could practice without worry. One of my first impressions of Seoul was that it was extremely clean and efficient which made exploration easy and comfortable. Through the GWIKS program, I gained greater exposure to the country’s rich history, delicious food, and kind people. My time in Korea furthered my desire to become more proficient in Korean and I am certain that I will be going back to Korea in the future.

Kaylin Bencosme

2023 Study Abroad

2022 Study Abroad

2021 Virtual Study Abroad

group photo of participants during zoom meeting
screenshot of participants of a zoom event
group photo of zoom meeting participants
Auriyana Amour sharing her screen to present during a zoom meeting
group photo of zoom meeting participants
screenshot of speaker presenting during zoom event
presenter sharing screen showing illustration of traditional Korean landmarks and imagery during a zoom meeting

2019 Study Abroad

GW students watching a presentation on a film in Korea
group photo of GW students and faculty chaperones at the lobby entrance of the Korean Film Museum in South Korea
group photo of GW students posing with the DMZ sign at the demilitarized zone in Korea
GW students listening attentively to tour guides in front of an exhibition wall in the Korean Film Museum in South Korea
GW students sit around a conference table listening to a presentation
group photo of GW students and faculty chaperones on the ceiling of a building in Seoul
GW students posing in traditional Korean hanbok clothing in a photo booth
students posing for photo in front of a stone gate
group posing for photo in front of a sign that says Imjingak
students and faculty admire artifact that the tour guide is showing at an archival building

2018 Study Abroad

group photo of GW students and faculty chaperones in a meeting room at Ajou University in South Korea
group photo of GW students and faculty in South Korea in front of an old Korean building
group photo of GW students and faculty chaperones sitting around a table at lunch in South Korea
student presenting at the podium while peers sit around conference table listening
student presenting her presentation in a small meeting room while peers listen
GW students sitting around a conference table listening to speaker
big group photo of students and faculty standing at the front of a lecture hall
students posing for photo in front of a museum in Korea

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