Summer 2022: July 31, 2022 – August 13th, 2022
The GW Insitute for Korean Studies is proud to present the 2022 Summer Study Abroad Program in South Korea! By visiting various sites in South Korea, we will use the border as a lens into exploring four main themes: Korean identities, culture, division, and reunification. We will treat these themes not as mutually exclusive but constitutive entities. Thus, these four themes will be reflected in readings, discussions, on-site lectures, and site-visits. In addition, the concept of the border will be the prime into the larger political, economic, social, and cultural conditions that enabled its metamorphosis. In particular, we will trace the transnational processes of modernization, imperialism, colonization, the Cold War, decolonization, and neoliberalism that have shaped and continue to shape Korean identity and culture. Our interdisciplinary inquiry draws from history, literature, anthropology, business, film, media, and performance studies.
This program will be similar to the 2019 program.
Application Process
Important Note: This program is currently set to be in-person in South Korea. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this program may be set to take place entirely online should all Study Abroad and non-essential student travel be suspended throughout the upcoming Summer 2022 semester. Quarantine restrictions in South Korea will also factor into the final decision on holding the program in person. For updated information regarding GW’s travel policies, please check the Student Travel Policies website. We also encourage all students to remain updated through GW’s COVID-19 resources page. A final decision on whether this program will continue as an in-person program or switch to a virtual program will be made in April 2022.
Eligibility: This program is open to all current undergraduate students (Freshmen to Juniors) at GW who are interested in pursuing Korean studies. Students who plan to major or minor in Korean will be given priority during the interview process.
Tuition & Fees: This is not a credit-bearing program so you don’t pay tuition for the program. Selected students will be provided with two-weeks lodgings, partial meals & transportations, admissions & fees. Students will bear their round-way flight tickets (about $1,500), insurance (about $40), public transportation (subway/bus), and personal expenses. Due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, accepted students should wait to purchase flight tickets until receiving confirmation from GWIKS. If the program switches to a virtual format, there is no cost for students to attend as GWIKS covers all the program and material costs.
Requirements:
- All participants will give a portfolio presentation or create a video at the end of the program. They will have the chance to win a $200 award for the best presentation. Students will also submit their e-travelogues after the program is completed (if the program is in a virtual format).
- Should this program shift to a virtual space, students are required to connect live to all the online lectures and site visits via Zoom. Due to the 13-hour time difference between Seoul and DC, the program will be held in the evenings, weekdays, Eastern Time.
Application Instructions:
Submit an Application Form by the deadline including Statement of Motivation as a PDF. The Statement of Motivation is a one-page essay explaining the motivation for applying for this program. (i.e. why you are interested in Korea, the goal of studying Korea at GW before graduation, what classes you plan to take, and what research topics on Korea you are interested in, etc.)
Selected students will be contacted for an interview in March.
Application Deadline: March 6, 2022 11:59 PM EST
For more information, visit the GWIKS website or email gwiks@gwu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t know how to speak the Korean language. Can I apply?
A: Yes, All programs will be provided in English. In addition, there are no prerequisites for this program. This program aims to invite students interested in studying Korea to explore the country by connecting virtually for professional site visits and lectures.
A: This is not a credit-bearing program so you don’t pay tuition for the program. Selected students will be provided with two-weeks lodgings, partial meals & transportations, admissions & fees. Students will bear their round-way flight tickets (about $1,500), insurance (about $40), public transportation (subway/bus), and personal expenses. Due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, accepted students should wait to purchase flight tickets until receiving confirmation from GWIKS. If the program switches to a virtual format, there is no cost for students to attend GWIKS covers all the program and material costs.
A: We have set our program dates at the end of the Summer with the hope that we will be able to travel in person at this time. However, there is a possibility that the program will need to shift to a virtual format given public health regulations and quarantine restrictions in Korea. A decision on hosting the program in-person or virtually is expected to be made by early April 2022. If the program is held virtually, please reference our 2021 Virtual Program schedule for an example of our virtual program.
Korea originally had a mandatory 14 day quarantine period, which was later shortened to 10 days. Effective February 4, 2022, the quarantine period has been further shortened from 10 days to 7 days. However, due to the Omicron variant, all quarantine exemptions have been suspended and all travelers (regardless of vaccination status and nationality) must quarantine for 7 days upon entering Korea. Non-residents are required to quarantine at a government facility at their own expense at a cost of approximately $100 per day. The Korean government is constantly reevaluating restrictions based on the situation on the ground and it is possible that the quarantine period could be further shortened or that exemptions could be granted in the future. However, if the current quarantine restrictions are still in place by early April, it is likely that the program will need to shift to a virtual format.
Video created by the previous participant, Donna Yang
