Program Background
The US Department of State through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is providing fully-funded scholarship to American high school students to travel to 7 countries with languages that will be prominent in the 21st century. 55 students will be selected to spend 6 weeks of intensive language learning, and students who participate in semester and academic year course of NSLI-Y program will spend one or two semesters in a Korean high school as an exchange student.
YES International, the host organization for Korea, is working together with iEARN-USA, the world's largest educational network for project-based learning in coordinating diverse cultural immersion programs for students. YES International anticipates for both American and Korean youths to benefit through active participation in the programs.
Program Overview
Three courses have been designed for students to learn Korean language and the culture. The programs for each course consist of intensive language course, excursions to see the history and various cultural immersion activities in which students can experience the Korean culture. Furthermore, field trips have been arranged for students to get involved and have a better understanding of the local community.
Korean Language Class
Students will complete an intensive Korean language course for 6-8 weeks at Sogang University Korean Language Education Center. The classes will be divided into 3 levels of beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Through the Korean language class, students will learn not only the basics of the language but also about Korean culture and tradition.
Experiencing Korean Culture
Participating students will gain a basic understanding of Korean culture through this unique opportunity that will provide a chance to combine a brief (yet intensive) cultural immersion experience with a comprehensive, hands-on, insider's view of the local culture.
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Highlights
- Tour of Seoul and other cities
- Learning to play traditional instruments and dances
- Making Korean cuisine |
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Intercultural Activities with Korean youth and "supporters"
Students will be participating in diverse social programs with Korean youth of similar age. Furthermore, these youth will act as “supporters” to help American students study Korean and adapt to the local community. |
Community Service
Students will be involved in the Korean community by helping out
in children's homes, building shelters for the homeless or
working in the farms. If willing, students can volunteer together
with homestay families in the weekend workcamps.
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Experiencing Korean School
Students staying for a semester or for academic year will be assigned to alternative residential schools and/or traditional Korean high schools for cultural immersion experience. Students will also get to meet with Korean students and spend time interacting and engaging in sports. More information about the school can be found in the links below.
Korean Placement Test (TOPIK: Test of Proficiency in Korean)
Students staying for an academic year will take sit for TOPIK test while in Korea. Those students wanting to further their studies in Korea or taking advanced Korean class in college can benefit
from obtaining a TOPIK certification.
* Detailed program will be updated soon
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