University of California Education Abroad Program Republic of Korea

1. University of CaliforniaEducation Abroad ProgramRepublic of Korea Amy Beausoleil Summer 2007

2. GeneralOverview • Location: South Korea occupies the lower territory of the Korean Peninsula bordered by North Korea. Japan lies approximately 120 miles southeast across the Korea Strait. • Terrain: Hills and Mountains • Population: 49,044,790 • Government: Republic with powers shared between president, legislature, and judiciary. The president is elected for a single term of 5 years.

3. Language: Korean Ethnic Groups:Homogenous Korean Approx. 20,000 Chinese Approx. 29,000 US military personal stationed in South Korea Religion: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%) Buddhist 23.2% other 1.3% none 49.3% Economy South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. After the Korean War (1950-53), South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to 14 times the level of North Korea. The South Korea economy is 11th largest in the world (3rd largest in Asia). GDP (PPP) per capita: US$24,500 GDP Sectors: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 39.6% services: 57.2% Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

5. Korean Wave of Pop Culture From clothes to hairstyles, music to television dramas, South Korea has been defining the tastes of many Chinese and other Asians for the past half decade.(Herald Tribune, 2006)

6. Higher Education System • Four categories of higher education institutions: (1) college and university (2) junior college (3) teachers college (4) specialized school (e.g., theological and seminaries) overseen by Ministry of Education. • Most desirable and competitive majors are medicine, law, pharmacy, English, engineering, and business.

7. “In a country where students– not babies are born– young children are prepped, schooled, coddled and groomed to take the College Scholastic Ability Test. From a tender age children, and their parents, are shooting for acceptance into one of the so-called ‘big three’ Korean universities.” (Asia Times, 2005) • The three most presigious universities in South Korea are commonly refered to as SKY. • Seoul National University • Korea University • Yonsei University

8. Yonsei University • Yonsei University, the oldest private university in South Korea, was established in 1885 by Christian missionaries. • Mascot: Eagle • Motto: The truth will set you free. (John 8:23)

10. “We intend to continue the pace of inbound globalization and bring about rapid transformation of Yonsei University. Yonsei welcomes the world because we are confident that the globalization of our campus will result in immense benefits for everyone.” (President Chang Young Jung, Yonsei University, 2007)

11. Shinchon Campus Three universities (Yonsei, Ewha, and Sogang) are located in the Shinchon area. Many shops, cafes, and nightclubs in this area cater to university students.

12. Yonsei University

14. EAP Study Center

16. Student Activities

18. Field Trips

20. Questions and Comments