Introduction
As part of Yonsei University's ongoing efforts to become a truly global institution, Yonsei actively participate in exchange programs that allow both faculty and students to study abroad through partnerships with institutions. However, these exchanges have traditionally been one-sided, heavily leaning toward Western countries.
Koreans have long recognized the value of English as an international language of communication. As a result, Korean students make up a significant portion of enrollment in many overseas English language programs. At the same time, Korea’s growing global presence in culture, business, sports, and academia has led many universities abroad to establish departments or majors in Korean Studies.
To bridge this exchange and promote mutual understanding, we established the Global Village Program at the Yonsei University MIRAE Campus. This program is based in our dormitories, where both Korean students with a strong interest in English and international students who are native or proficient English speakers live together. All activities, announcements, and assignments in the program are conducted in English.
International students selected for the program receive a scholarship that partially covers their living expenses in Korea. In addition to their role as “Language and Cultural Ambassadors,” they have the opportunity to learn about Korea through various means. This includes taking Korean language classes and other elective courses related to Korean culture, all taught in English.
We expect international students to fully enjoy their time in Korea—learning the language, experiencing the lifestyle, and immersing themselves in the culture. As language mentors to Korean students, we encourage them to actively engage in conversations, share their ideas and experiences, and build meaningful connections—especially with their Korean roommates and through weekly Global Village activities.
This program is open to exchange students who is English-native speakers and hosted from partner universities which have bilateral student exchange agreements particularly specifying GVP on the documents in North America.
Those students will automatically participate in the Global Village Program when they apply for Yonsei University MIRAE Campus as an exchange student.
Global Village Program Activities
[Course Registration]
- Mandatory: Korean Conversation, Korean Reading & Writing, and Korean Culture Experience(YHS1019)*
- Optional: Community Service Internship(YHS1045)** and other regular university courses
※ Course registration information will be sent in a separate email.
* Required course_Korean Culture Experience (YHS1019) - 3 credits
This is a required course for international students participating in the Global Village Program. However, students who are participating in the program for their second semester are not required to enroll in the course and may choose to audit it instead.
The purpose of this course is to provide exchange students in the English Global Village Program with opportunities to experience and learn about Korean culture and history through lectures, field trips, and hands-on activities.
[Grading & Assignments]
The course follows a Pass/Non-Pass (P/NP) grading system based on the following criteria: Attendance, Participation, Two essays_one due during midterms, and another during finals week (Each essay must be at least 1,500 words in length.)
[Class Schedule & Hours]
This course includes a total of 45 hours, covering lectures, cultural activities, and transportation time for field trips.
[Field Trips]
Field trip destinations may include, but are not limited to: Chuncheon Immigration Office, Wonju Hanji Theme Park, Making Korean food, Museum SAN, Yon-Ko Jeon (Yonsei-Korea University rivalry sports event), National museums, Korean Folk Village, and etc. (Field trip locations may be subject to change.) Because some field trips may last the entire day, students must register for this course on Fridays only to avoid schedule conflicts with other classes.
* Required courses_Korean language courses
To help GV exchange students adapt more easily to life in Korea, Yonsei University requires all GV exchange participants to take at least one Korean language course during the semester.
The basic course offered is Beginning Korean Conversation(YHS1013), and students can select the appropriate level additionally — Intermediate Korean Conversation(YHS1015), or advanced Korean Conversation(YHS1017).
There is also a Beginning Korean Reading and Writing(YHS1014) course, which we highly recommend. This course is taught by the same instructor and uses the same textbook as the Beggining Korean Conversation class, making it a helpful supplement. You can also select the appropriate level additionally — Intermediate Korean Reading and Writing(YHS1016), Advanced Korean Reading and Writing(YHS1018).
If there is a schedule conflict between a required major course and either the Korean Conversation or Korean Reading and Writing course, one of the Korean language courses may be waived. In such cases, students must discuss the matter with the GV coordinator in advance.
* Optional course_Community Service Internship (YHS1045) - 2 credits
This course is designed to raise awareness among international exchange students in the Global Village Program about underprivileged groups that exist in all societies, with a particular focus on the Korean cultural context. It is an optional (elective) course for GV international students and not mandatory.
Students who are participating in the Global Village Program for two semesters may choose to take this course for one semester only.
This internship course offers international students an opportunity to: Develop interpersonal and leadership skills, Gain real-world experience in sharing and cooperating with diverse local communities
, Broaden their cultural understanding through service and interaction
[Important Notes]
Due to potential language barriers or the availability of appropriate partner institutions, placement in a suitable internship site is not guaranteed. If a proper institution cannot be arranged, students will not be able to register for this course.
[Grading & Assignments]
This course follows a Pass/Non-Pass (P/NP) grading system based on: Attendance, Participation, Two essays (each at least 1,000 words), one submitted during midterms, and the other during finals.
[Opening Ceremony]
At the Global Village Program opening ceremony, international students officially meet their Korean roommates and other participants for the first time, and share brief self-introductions. This event marks the official beginning of the Global Village Program.
[Field Trip]
As part of the orientation week, students will participate in a half-day field trip organized by the Global Village staff. The travel expenses will be covered by the program office.
This field trip offers a great opportunity for students to get to know their GV friends better and begin building meaningful connections.
[Mutual Mentor Session (MMS)]
Each international student will be matched with eight (8) Korean MMS partners. All international students are required to attend a one-hour session with each Korean partner once a week. These sessions are designed to encourage personalized language and cultural exchange between students.
The GV coordinator will organize all MMS schedules in accordance with each participant’s course timetable. After the mid-term period, both the MMS partners and the MMS schedule will be changed once to allow for a broader cultural experience.
[Weekly Reports for MMS]
After completing their weekly MMS activities, GV exchange students are required to submit a report through a Google Spreadsheet. In the report, students should briefly describe what they did with their MMS partners during the session and upload a photo as proof of participation.
The report is due every Sunday, and students must ensure that they submit it on time.
The coordinator will share the Google Form link with all students via email.
[Graduation]
Graduation officially marks the completion of the Global Village Program. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion in recognition of their participation and effort. To celebrate the end of the program, a special graduation dinner will also be provided.
[Residential Life]
Global Village Program participating exchange students are housed in on-campus residence halls. You will be sharing a room with GV Korean students. As living in dormitories, you are under obligation to keep the dormitory regulations. You have two dormitory option. There are 3-beds room_Seiyeon dorm or Cheongyeon dorm. The housing fee is waived for international students participating in the Global Village Program.
*Allocable dormitories may vary from each semester.
[Scholarship]
A scholarship will be awarded to all GV international students in recognition of their role as mentors for Korean students seeking to improve their English proficiency.
The total amount of the scholarship is:
1,400,000 KRW for students residing in a 3-person room at Seiyeon Dormitory
1,100,000 KRW for students residing in a 3-person room at Cheongyeon Dormitory
The scholarship will be distributed in three installments throughout the semester. Please note that the scholarship payment requires several administrative procedures, which may take time. As a result, the first installment will be paid in the second month after the semester begins. Students are strongly advised to prepare sufficient personal funds to cover their expenses for the first 40 to 50 days in Korea.
In some cases, international credit or debit cards may not work properly in Korea, so it is recommended to bring some cash for initial expenses.
The full amount of the scholarship will be granted only if students fulfill their responsibilities and actively participate in official GV activities. Failure to meet these expectations may result in a reduction of the scholarship, as stated in the Rules and Regulations for International Students.
Additionally, scholarship payments may be delayed due to national holidays, unexpected staff absences, or other unforeseen circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: THE SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE FUNDED BY THE ENROLLMENT FEES PAID BY KOREAN STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE GV PROGRAM.
[Extension of program]
Students who apply for one semester and wish to extend the program in the middle of the semester must contact their home university coordinator. Continuation to the second semester is by no means automatic and depends largely on the students’ grades, performance, responsibility and dedication to the program.
[Important Things to Note]
As the purpose of the GV program is for students from abroad and Korean students to live and participate in various programs together, cultural conflicts can arise and some may experience difficulties due to transition. Thus, before you apply for the program, take some time to consider whether you will be able to compromise, understand one another and have ability overcome when problems occur.
All dates and details of each program(field trip, special events, the amount of dormitory fee, scholarship supported, etc.) are subject to change or be canceled depending on the seriousness of epidemic, disaster or the quarantine policies of the Korean government and in case of any changes. If this situation occurs, Yonsei will inform students of related notices as early as possible.