Seoul SPARKS PreCollege Summer Program in Korea

Seoul SPARKS students enroll in a 120-hour, 6-credit Korean language course at Seoul National University, often referred to by Koreans as “the Harvard of Korea” due to its esteemed reputation and high ranking. Students will dedicate four hours each weekday to reading, writing, listening, and speaking Korean.

Before the program begins, each student is placed into a class based on their Korean proficiency. These rigorous, college-level courses cover the equivalent of two college semesters or two years of high school Korean in just six weeks. Students with no prior knowledge of Korean can expect to gain basic conversational skills and the confidence to navigate Seoul independently by the end of the summer.

SPARKS will provide students with resources to acquaint themselves with Hangul, the Korean alphabet, before their arrival in Korea. Students will take an online level test administered by Seoul National University before their arrival, after which they will be placed into an appropriate class based on their level.

Upon completion, students will receive a transcript from SNU, which they may be able to use to earn college or high school credit.

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES

Students can immerse themselves in Korean culture through recurring 1:1 or 2:1 classes where they can learn skills including but not limited to the following:

– Taekwondo (Korean martial arts)
– Minhwa (Korean folk paintings)
– Seoye (Calligraphy)
– Fashion Design
– Kpop dance
– Korean cooking
– …and more!

Students can choose from the above activities or even request a completely customized activity. Past requests have included filmmaking, Korean Sign Language, shadowing at a skincare company, a journalism project, and architectural photography. We will do our best to accommodate specialized requests so every student gets to do something they will absolutely love!

Students attend the culture classes once per week for a total of six sessions and will have a chance to show off what they learn in the Graduation Showcase. These classes will allow students to pursue personal interests and hone new skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.

GROUP ACTIVITIES

At the heart of SPARKS is its innovative chronological curriculum, guiding students through Korea’s past, present, and future. Each week focuses on a different historical era, from the Joseon Dynasty to modern-day Hallyu (the Korean Wave). This structured approach allows students to grasp the evolution of Korean culture and its global impact. SPARKS students will learn about the following historical periods through film screenings, guest lectures, field trips, and other activities to deepen students’ understanding of Korea’s historical context and modern transformation.

– Week 1: The Joseon Dynasty
– Week 2: The Japanese Colonial Era
– Week 3: The Korean War & Division
– Week 4: Korea’s Economic Miracle
– Week 5: Democratization & Modern Society
– Week 6: The Korean Wave & Global Soft Power

UNDERGRADUATE MENTOR PROGRAM

SPARKS also provides dedicated undergraduate mentors, who are carefully matched with students based on personality and Korean proficiency. These mentors serve as academic guides, cultural liaisons, and personal supporters, offering language tutoring, guidance on cultural nuances, and insights into student life in Korea. Students are assigned to small mentorship groups, ensuring personalized attention while fostering friendships. This aspect of the program has consistently been one of the most beloved by past participants, providing an immediate support system and a deeper connection to Korean life.

Our 2024 residence hall in Seoul (Episode Yongsan 241) provides all the comforts of home here in Korea. Students will live with roommates in rooms equipped with essentials like desks, beds, storage spaces, and linens.

The building has laundry facilities, a full-sized kitchen, spaces to lounge and study in, a movie room, and a beautiful rooftop with a Han River view.

All entrances and exits are equipped with scanners and CCTV. The building has a 24/7 security guard, and at least two staff members will stay in the residence hall with the students every night.

Please note that the location of the SPARKS 2025 residence hall depends on the number and needs of our students, so we may or may not use the same residence hall as 2024. However, you can rest assured that we will settle for nothing but the best when selecting accommodations for our students!