Sungkyunkwan University (also known as SKKU or simply Seongdae) is a private research university with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. Originally, it was founded in 1398 by the Joseon Dynasty located in the heart of central Seoul.
Uniquely it was authorized as Sungkyunkwan, the foremost educational institution, by the great code of state administration pertaining to the royal assent. Today, the university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in Seoul, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon. Eighteen schools and three colleges offer degrees at the bachelor’s level, and twelve graduate schools confer various degrees at both the masters and doctoral levels. SKKU offers Korea’s first fully English-taught Global MBA program, which has gained tremendous international recognition.
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia,constituting the part of the Korean Peninsula. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is a center of economic activity, culture, and arts. Korea was colonized by Japan in the
early 20th century and later had to endure the Korean War (1950-53), but it has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed “the Miracle on the Han River.” Today, Korea is an industrial nation standing tall on the world stage. Its semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are on the leading edge in global markets.
Seoul is a city rich in history and tradition. The city was founded in 1392 when it became the
capital of the Chosun Dynasty, which fell in 1910. It is now the capital city of South Korea,
and traces of the former dynasty are still very much a part of the city’s landscape. Seoul is the
center of political, social, educational, and economic activity in Korea and is home to many major international corporations. Seoul is home to many old historic sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, and places of traditional culture like Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, and Namdaemun Market. The shopping and entertainment districts of Myeongdong and Apgujeong, and Asia’s largest underground shopping center COEX Mall also draw a large number of tourists every year. The Hangang River, which runs through the center of the city, is also a distinctive landscape of Seoul that offers a myriad of resting areas for citizens.
The Humanities and Social Science Campus provides two dormitories near the campus for
exchange students and faculty.The First, International House (I-House) is located at the Seoul
Campus and provides convenient facilities to international professors and exchange students. It can accommodate up to 110 professors (family rooms, single rooms) and students (double
rooms). Due to the capacity limitation of the I-House, international students who seek general
degrees (long term / non-exchange students) and KLP students are not eligible to use this
accommodation facility. The Second, Koart Ville, can house 80 exchange students with 6 quad
rooms and 28 double rooms.
South Korea is located on a peninsula, and is surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Japan is just across the East Sea, and is accessible by boat. Students in Seoul might also find it interesting to go on a Mount Geumgangsan Cruise Tour that sails through the beautiful rivers in the valley of this breathtaking mountain range. On this cruise, you will see beautiful waterfalls, exotic rock formations, and much more.