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Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea

Mount Holyoke students may apply to study on exchange at Ewha Womans University for a full academic year or one semester, either fall or spring. Application for the exchange is open to all qualified students regardless of their financial aid status.

About Ewha Womans University

  • Founded in 1886, the first university for women in Korea (and now the largest)
  • Approximately 21,000 students
  • Office of Global Studies coordinates co-ed international program for semester, year or summer study
  • Located in the heart of Seoul in a university neighborhood
  • Wide range of student activities, societies, sports, and events

City of Seoul

  • Capital and largest city of South Korea, population about 10,000,000
  • Located in the northwest part of South Korea

Academic Program

  • Two semesters: first semester runs from early September to mid-December, second semester from early March to mid-June
  • Students may apply for the full academic year, or for first or second semester only
  • Academic courses taught in English focus mainly on Korean Studies (including language, art, geography, history, religion), with a few courses in the sciences (chemistry, physics, calculus)
  • Students who are proficient in Korean may enroll in regular classes offered by Ewha to its degree-seeking students
  • Normal course load is 5 courses per semester (which transfers as 16 MHC credits)
  • Ewha also welcomes applications from Mount Holyoke students for the International Co-ed Summer School, but this is not covered under the terms of the exchange

Living Arrangements

  • Housing is guaranteed in an Ewha dormitory
  • Meals are available at the Student Cafeteria and several restaurants on campus

Requirements

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Must have completed sophomore year (or at least three semesters, for spring entrants) prior to enrolling at Ewha
  • No previous knowledge of Korean language is required

Financial Arrangements

  • Exchange student pays MHC tuition; Ewha waives its tuition
  • Exchange student pays directly for room and hall fees, and is responsible for her own meals, as well as nominal university fees, round-trip travel to Korea, books, and personal expense
  • Students selected for the exchange who are eligible for need-based financial aid are guaranteed Laurel Fellowships; financial aid awards will be based on total budget, including MHC tuition, MHC administrative fee, any nominal Ewha fees, and allowances toward room and board, books, personal expenses, and round-trip airfare
  • Students receiving merit aid (which ordinarily does not travel) may use that aid on the Ewha exchange

Application Procedures

  • Submit Mount Holyoke's Request to Study Abroad (including the Laurel Fellowship application, if applicable) in MyMountHolyoke according to the instructions on the Deadlines page; applications are ordinarily due in late November for the full year or fall semester, late March for spring
  • Students will be notified by early February (for the fall or full year) or early May (for spring) whether they have been selected for the exchange
  • Exchange nominees will apply on-line to Ewha (students must also be accepted by Ewha)