The oldest university in Korea, Yonsei celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1985. Yonsei sits quietly in a well-wooded area outside Seoul, a city of 11 million people. Yonsei University was founded 117 years ago as a learning center based on Christian principles. Since then, Yonsei has provided many opportunities for foreign students to learn more about the Korean language, history and culture. The University is recognized not only in Korea, but also the Asia-Pacific area and the international community as the most forward-looking, internationalized, and comprehensive University in Korea.
University activities are very diverse and there is something available for everybody. There are several student festivals promoting club activities on the campus, and celebrating the diversity of cultures at Yonsei. There are over 100 student clubs and organizations, all covering a wide variety of interests: Theater Art Club, Women’s Club, International Student Research Club and Yonsei Recreation Club. There are also several ‘Friendship Sports Festivals’ and ‘Music Festivals’ which bring the students together in a fun environment.
The Office of International Affairs offers support to international students.
Our exchange with Yonsei also includes their Yonsei International Summer School (YISS) program! If your degree plan cannot accommodate a fall or spring abroad, consider Yonsei's six-week summer program from late June to early August every year.
Yonsei is in Sinchon, approximately 3.72 miles (6 km) west of central Seoul.
Dormitory housing is available for students accepted to the program; rooms are given out on a first come first serve basis. Double rooms are the norm for both Korean and International students. Refrigerators, lounge areas, recreation and weight rooms, computer rooms and laundry facilities are all available in the dormitories. Bed linens, quilts and pillows are provided for the students when they arrive. Each room has an air conditioning unit, a heating unit, and LAN internet connections. As for meals, students are responsible for purchasing their own meals in the cafeterias or in some of the local restaurants.
Grades are awarded on a U.S. scale. The letter grade on the Yonsei transcript will be transferred directly back to the Washington College transcript.
A full course load at Yonsei University is 15 credits per semester and 30 credits for the academic year. If you take a full course load at Yonsei University, you will receive a full course load at Washington College (16 credits/semester; 32 credits/academic year). If you take less than the full course load you will NOT receive a full course load at Washington College.
