Explore themes of peace and conflict resolution while experiencing South Korea’s distinct blend of modern K-pop culture and ancient traditions.
Certificate
Language
Peace, Politics, & Human Rights
Social Change
Begin your journey through South Korea’s past and present in Seoul, a leading and modern global city. You will visit places of great historical importance, such as the 14th-century royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, then deepen your understanding of the country’s split with North Korea through an excursion to the DMZ. Hands-on peacebuilding workshops will broaden your understanding of conflict analysis and introduce skills for peace advocacy in any community. Meanwhile, you’ll also immerse yourself in South Korea’s contemporary culture, learning some new moves during a K-pop dance class in the breakdancing capital of the world.
Travel to diverse regions to gain new perspectives on typical life in South Korea as you continue to explore topics of peace and development. Interact with Korean youth to discuss peace on the peninsula and learn about their daily lives and perspectives, from K-culture to Reunification. Engage with local activists and develop peace sensitivity while sharing your thoughts with your peers and local students. Take basic Korean language classes while continuing to immerse yourself in contemporary life; then go from modern to ancient as you spend the night in a Buddhist temple to learn about religious traditions and the art of meditation from Buddhist monks.
Experience daily life with a Korean family during your homestay and try out different flavor combinations during dinner, which can be something of a feast. You’ll also complete a community service project alongside Korean students. Return to Seoul to visit cultural sites such as Seoul Tower, enjoy a traditional theater performance, and reflect on your journey with your group.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant will earn a community service certificate noting the number of hours of community service completed.
The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In South Korea, you will learn:
Technical Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.
From visiting the Blue House Museum, to the Demilitarized Zone, to a Buddhist temple stay, each experience was immersive and spectacular. My experience in South Korea was simply unforgettable, and I'll always be grateful for this opportunity to experience and learn about peacebuilding.
MELVIN, The Experiment alum, South Korea
This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.
Orientation and Thematic Exploration in Seoul
During the orientation period, you and your group will stay in a centrally located guest house.
Cultural Exploration & Community Service in Goyang
Gwangju
During this period, you and your group will stay at a guesthouse.
Buddhist Temple Stay
During this period, you and your group will stay at a Buddhist temple.
Homestay & Host Community Visit
During this week, you will stay in the home of a family for 3 days as well as a combination of hostel and camping site stays. Sample host communities: Samcheok, Busa, Jeonju, Goyang
Program Reflection and Wrap-up in Seoul
During the reflection period, you and your group will stay in a centrally-located hostel.
Departure
The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.
As a Chinese Adoptee raised in Oregon, Bekah has always valued empathy and communicating our perspectives of lived experiences. Recently graduated, Bekah now holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from Oregon State University where she hopes to encourage others to educate themselves and help advocate for others. During her undergraduate studies, Bekah worked at her university’s Asian & Pacific Cultural Center as a Leadership Liason focusing her work on Diversity & Cultural Engagement. Additionally, Bekah participated in an IE3 Global year-long study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea, at Yonsei University and was awarded a scholarship from the Freeman Asia Foundation to help pursue her studies in cross-cultural and global relationships. A strong advocate for community building, welcoming diversity, discovering identity, and promoting self-reflection, Bekah strives to create safe spaces for folks to be vulnerable in their learning and sharing. Outside of school and work, Bekah loves spending her free time with her loved ones, listening to music, journaling, hiking, and playing with her dog.
The Experiment's programs are led by accomplished and experienced faculty and staff who typically live in the country of study. Program leaders are responsible for instructional content, classroom and field experiences, and daily program operations.
Yonghan Kim has been engaged in intercultural understanding and training for 20 years as a facilitator and trainer. In cooperation with local nongovernmental organizations and governments, he has organized more than 200 projects to help broaden the perspectives and thinking of international youth. He designs workshops and programs based on his belief in the power of non-formal education.
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