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Study Abroad in Korea
Study Korean Language & More
South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula that lies between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea. It is bordered to the north by North Korea, China lies to its west and Japan lies across the Korea Strait to the southeast. For most of the 20th century, South Korea was hardly the Land of the Morning Calm, as it calls itself. From the Japanese occupation to the Korean War to 1997's economic crisis, life there was mostly about calamity. But the country seems to have left most of its troubles in the old century.
In its headlong rush to modernize and get ahead, South Korea has put much of its traditional heritage at risk. Yet, despite the ever-widening gap between the modern and traditional aspects, there seems to be a comfortable balance between the two. The country's age-old search for tranquility lingers in the pockets of traditional culture and unspoiled scenery that remain.
Outside of the urban areas, the country is green and mountainous(about 70% of its land is mountains). The South Korean people enjoy the outdoors and nature and as you travel throughout the country you’ll see many sporting the latest in “adventure fashions”. South Korea may look small on the map, but it is full of wonderful pockets of culture to explore.
Programs in Korea:
Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul - Founded in 794, but was rebuilt in 1498 when restrictions on Buddhists were eased. Bongeunsa also runs a program where visitors can experience different aspects of a monk's life. It includes a typical four-bowl lunch of rice, soup, vegetables and water. No talk is allowed.
Gyeongju – This small, provincial town in eastern Korea was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla and contains a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, pagodas, and the remains of temples, tombs, shrines, palaces, pleasure gardens and castles.
Jeju-do – Known as the “Hawaii of South Korea” is South Korea’s largest island and boasts dramatic views, impressive waterfalls, volcanic cones, and some nice beaches. But the “must-see” is the Haenyo. The Haenyo dive off the eastern tip of Jeju-do at the foot of a spectacular volcanic cone, known as the sunrise peak, searching for seaweed, shellfish and sea urchins. Around 20% of the Jeju earn their living from the sea and in many families the women have been divers for generations. Now many of them are in their 70s.
National Parks - South Korea’s national parks cover 6.6% of the country and most forms of development are prohibited. The largest mountain park is Jirisan National Park and the largest marine park is Dadohae.
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