| Academics |
Academic Program
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)’s International Summer Semester (ISS) is a 4-week program hosted on its Humanities and Social Sciences Campus (HSSC) in vibrant downtown Seoul. Open to students from all disciplines, the ISS offers a curated selection of courses spanning Korean studies, Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM, taught by international and Korean faculty. In addition, a 4-week research internship opportunity is offered for students after the 4-week ISS Program concludes.
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
At SKKU’s International Summer Semester (ISS), classes are held Monday through Thursday.
- You can find the full list of ISS courses and their syllabi [HERE].
- Students will typically take 2 courses during the ISS Program.
- Each course is worth 3 academic credits, except for Korean language courses, which carry 2 credits.
SKKU Summer Research Internship
Following the 4-week International Summer Semester (ISS) at SKKU, students have the option to apply for a 4-week research internship in fields such as Psychology, Social Studies, Business/Economics, and STEM.
- You can find the fields of research offered [HERE].
- This internship is a 2-credit course.
- While placements are not guaranteed, SKKU makes every effort to match students with a research lab based on their academic background and research interests.
- Depending on your research area, you may be placed in either the SKKU Seoul OR Suwon campuses.
- To be eligible, you must complete a research internship application, take two courses during the ISS program, and enroll in the Research Internship course as part of your program.
- The ISS Research Internship dates are from Monday, July 27 - Friday, August 21, 2026.
- Additional housing will be required.
General Education Information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form.
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
All courses successfully completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.
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| Faculty |
Your Instructors
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| Accommodations |
Housing
- On-campus housing at SKKU is available, as long as you apply during the housing application period. You may also arrange your own off-campus housing.
- If you obtain SKKU on-campus housing, it will be a dormitory style housing (double room with one roommate) with an en-suite bathroom.
Meals
There is no meal plan for this program if you choose to live on the HSSC campus in Seoul. In all housing options, you may choose to purchase meals at the SKKU cafeterias, cook, or eat at local restaurants.
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| Costs |
Estimate of Costs
Review the most recent Estimate of Costs [HERE].
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
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| Eligibility |
Eligibility Requirements
- Second-semester freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and rising seniors in all majors, with at least a 2.0 GPA, are eligible to apply.
- No previous Korean language study is required.
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| Excursions |
Excursions
There may be several SKKU ISS arranged activities throughout the summer. Possible cultural activities may include:
- Everland & Caribbean Bay
- Gyeongbokgung Palace & Cheongwadae (Blue House) Tour
- Incheon Mudflat Experience
- DMZ Peace Walk & white-water rafting
- Paintball Survival Game
- Jeju Cultural Journey – optional activity with additional fee
There are also many attractions near the SKKU campus that you can enjoy!
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| Scholarships |
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
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| Testimonials |
In Their Own Words
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| Contact |
Speak with an Advisor
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| Location |
About the City
SKKU’s Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is just minutes from Seoul’s economic, political, and cultural hubs. Seoul ranks highly in Global Cities Indexes and, as of 2022, hosts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Natural Science Campus in Suwon—an hour south of Seoul—is a center of innovation and home to Samsung Electronics’ headquarters.
With over 4,000 faculty and 28,000 students, SKKU offers a vibrant academic environment and a strong international exchange program, providing students with a rich study abroad experience in Korea.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. For the SKKU ISS Program, if you are a U.S. citizen, you will not need to obtain a visa to enter Korea.
For all other nationalities, please check the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea website to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
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| Program Dates |
Program Dates
Summer 2026
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - Sunday, July 26, 2026
*Please Note: For the most updated SKKU ISS academic calendar, you can find it [HERE].
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Summer programs: December
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| Overview |
About the Program
The University at Albany’s exchange affiliation with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Korea enables you to study in the heart of Seoul and in Suwon, the bedrock of innovation. This opportunity is intended for students interested in experiencing Korean daily life and culture while developing Korean language skills and pursuing coursework in English in diverse subject areas.
Program Orientations
Upon arrival at SKKU, you will attend a mandatory program orientation.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
SKKU's International Summer Semester (ISS) Office staff serve as the experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter while abroad.
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