Seoul, South Korea: Society and Technology, Health and Well-being
Watch the video to learn more about the inaugural cohort of UT Austin's Take the World by the Horns first semester abroad program in Seoul, South Korea.
Program Dates 2025
| Arrival | August 22, 2025 |
| Classes Start | September 1, 2025 |
| Classes End and Departure | December 19, 2025 |
Program Dates 2026 (Tentative)
| Arrival | August 22, 2026 |
| Classes Start | September 1, 2026 |
| Classes End and Departure | December 19, 2026 |
Costs and Financial Aid
The total cost of the program for Fall 2026 is $22,860 and includes all registration fees and tuition, overseas insurance, flights, passport, visa, pre-departure costs, housing, excursions, meals, and estimated personal expenses during the semester abroad.
You will be able to apply for federal and institutional financial aid to cover a portion or all costs of this program.
Application
The application for Fall 2026 will open on August 1, 2025. You must indicate your interest in this program on your UT Austin application. You will then receive a supplementary application in your MyStatus portal. The deadline to apply to UT Austin is December 1, 2025, and the supplemental application for Take the World by the Horns must be received by December 10, 2025.
Society and Technology
In this Take the World by the Horns program, students discover the way Koreans integrate technology into daily life to create a sustainable future. South Korea is a leader in global innovation, ranking No. 1 in Asia and No. 5 in the world on the Global Innovation Index.
You'll get a front-row seat to view the entrepreneurial hub of South Korea: browse the world-famous Yongsan Electronics market, envision the future at the SK Telecom 2053 Experience, and get an inside look at the epicenter of Korean media at the Digital Media City in Seoul’s historic Olympic Park.
You will travel to Seoul in August and embark on a week of orientation with our partner, EF Education First. Then, enroll in classes at Hanyang University and attend weekly cultural immersion visits to technology industry leaders or service-learning opportunities. Monthly excursions include travel to cultural sites throughout South Korea, such as Wolmi Island and Dajeon.
There is no language requirement for participation. You will take an intensive Korean language class during your first week in Seoul and a one-credit Korean language course during the semester. Upon your return, you may take a placement test or seek an evaluation to assess your UT Austin language course level.
Academics
The Take the World by the Horns Seoul courses are integrated into the degree plans for students in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education, the Moody School of Communication, the School of Information, the School of Nursing, the School of Civic Leadership, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the School of Social Work. Limited spots are available for the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the Jackson School of Geosciences, and the Cockrell School of Engineering. McCombs School of Business, School of Architecture, Computer Science, and Statistics and Data Science majors are not eligible for this program.
The academic theme course and language and culture courses are required. Students must select two other courses from the available options after attending summer orientation.
| Course Title | UT Course Number | Core Credit |
|---|---|---|
Philosophical Understanding of Science and Technology (Required) | PHL 316K |
|
Culture of Korea and Korean Wave (Required) | ANS 329S |
|
| Korean Language (Required) | KOR 119s | |
Business and Environmental Ethics | BGS 372T. |
|
Aesthetic Awareness in the Modern World | PHL 317K | |
Differential and Integral Calculus | M 408C | |
| *Principles of Chemistry I | CH 301 | Natural Science and Technology, Part I |
| *Health professions schools in Texas have undergraduate coursework requirements for admission that must be taken in-residence at a U.S. accredited institution. Students seeking to attend health professions schools upon graduation should be aware that courses offered on this program are not considered “in-residence.” Please consider future academic planning before participating, as this may delay completion of requirements beyond the standard timeline. You can read more about these requirements and guidance from the University of Texas at Austin Health Professions Office. | ||
- Course Details
The courses selected for this program will prepare students to consider the philosophical, cultural and business implications of a rapidly changing society and allow them to connect with the designers of emergent technologies during program engagements. As a result, students will develop valuable skills in applying theoretical questions to practical applications.
- “Aesthetic Awareness in the Modern World” introduces students to fundamental aesthetic concepts central to technological design.
- “Philosophical Understanding of Science and Technology” facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the role of science and technology in modern society from a philosophical and historical perspective.
- “Culture of Korea and Korean Wave” examines how modern Korean culture has become increasingly popular on a global scale.
- “Business Environment and Ethics” will allow students to explore the role of corporations in society and the impact of business activities on health and the environment.
“Differential and Integral Calculus” covers elementary topics in the theory of real-valued functions of a real variable: limits, continuity, derivatives, maxima and minima, integration, area under a curve, volumes of revolution, trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions, and techniques of integration.
“Principles of Chemistry I” will provide a foundational understanding of chemistry concepts including gases, electronic structure and periodic trends, classical bonding, VSEPR, Lewis Dot structures, quantum, VB and MO theories, polarity, intermolecular forces, liquids, solids and thermodynamics.
- Signature Course Offered
After completing their fall semester abroad, students can enroll in a signature course to continue exploring the academic themes with their cohort.
Professors Robbie Kubala and Kyle Mahowald's signature course, "Ethics of Artificial Intelligence” examines how developing technology can impact society. Students will connect their experiences with technology in Seoul to a broader framework and compare it to contexts within the United States. This course will help students unpack their experiences in South Korea and further explore their academic and professional interests.
Health and Well-being
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of South Korea’s health and well-being landscape during this Take the World by the Horns program. Delve into Korea's innovative practices that enhance quality of life and promote holistic wellness. Explore the world of rehabilitation technology at Movella, where wearable sensors empower patients to optimize their recovery. Discover the serenity of the Seoul K-Medi Center, Korea’s largest herbal medicine market, and engage in a hands-on herbal medicine class to deepen your understanding of traditional healing. Enhance your nutritional knowledge in a vibrant kimchi cooking class, where you’ll learn to craft this iconic dish while uncovering its cultural significance. Finally, find balance and mindfulness during a stay at a Buddhist temple, immersing yourself in meditation and communal living. This program offers a unique blend of modern advancements and traditional practices, fostering a deeper connection to health and well-being in a bustling urban environment.
There is no language requirement for participation. You will take an intensive Korean language class during your first week in Seoul and a one-credit Korean language course during the semester. Upon your return, you may take a placement test or seek an evaluation to assess your UT Austin language course level.
Academics
The Take the World by the Horns Seoul courses are integrated into the degree plans for students in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education, the Moody School of Communication, the School of Information, the School of Nursing, the School of Civic Leadership, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the School of Social Work. Limited spots are available for the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the Jackson School of Geosciences, and the Cockrell School of Engineering. McCombs School of Business, School of Architecture, Computer Science, and Statistics and Data Science majors are not eligible for this program.
The academic theme course and language and culture courses are required. Students must select two other courses from the available options after attending summer orientation.
| Course Title | UT Course Number | Core Credit |
|---|---|---|
Modern Stress and You (Required) | PSY 219S |
|
Culture of Korea and Korean Wave (Required) | ANS 329S |
|
| Korean Language (Required) | KOR 119s | |
Business and Environmental Ethics | BGS 372T. |
|
Aesthetic Awareness in the Modern World | PHL 317K | |
Differential and Integral Calculus | M 408C | |
| *Principles of Chemistry I | CH 301 | Natural Science and Technology, Part I |
| *Health professions schools in Texas have undergraduate coursework requirements for admission that must be taken in-residence at a U.S. accredited institution. Students seeking to attend health professions schools upon graduation should be aware that courses offered on this program are not considered “in-residence.” Please consider future academic planning before participating, as this may delay completion of requirements beyond the standard timeline. You can read more about these requirements and guidance from the University of Texas at Austin Health Professions Office. | ||
- Course Details
The courses selected for this program will prepare students to explore concepts of health and well-being from a South Korean perspective.
- “Modern Stress and You” will focus on self-awareness, identity, stress management and strategies to sustainably maximize well-being in the modern world
- “Aesthetic Awareness in the Modern World” introduces students to fundamental aesthetic concepts central to technological design.
- “Culture of Korea and Korean Wave” examines how modern Korean culture has become increasingly popular on a global scale.
- “Business Environment and Ethics” will allow students to explore the role of corporations in society and the impact of business activities on public health and the environment.
“Differential and Integral Calculus” covers elementary topics in the theory of real-valued functions of a real variable: limits, continuity, derivatives, maxima and minima, integration, area under a curve, volumes of revolution, trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions, and techniques of integration.
“Principles of Chemistry I” will provide a foundational understanding of chemistry concepts including gases, electronic structure and periodic trends, classical bonding, VSEPR, Lewis Dot structures, quantum, VB and MO theories, polarity, intermolecular forces, liquids, solids and thermodynamics.
- Signature Course Offered
After completing their fall semester abroad, students can enroll in a signature course to continue exploring the academic themes with their cohort.
In Professor Lauren Gulbas’ signature course, “Women and Madness,” students will explore the theoretical evolution of mental illness, highlighting differences in treatment based on gender. This course will complement students’ learning experiences abroad by investigating how historical understanding of “good health” influences current health care systems’ priorities. Dr. Gulbas’ signature course also presents students with a potential research opportunity in her interdisciplinary Advanced Qualitative Research Lab, offering a powerful transition point for students exploring professional applications within the greater healthcare industry.