Social Welfare, Culture, Language, and Religions in Korea

This program will provide students an overview of Korea’s rich culture, history, language, religious diversity, and contemporary social welfare and social services. It is open to all KU students and social work continuing education professionals. The program gives students the opportunity to experience cultural enrichment through lectures, field trips, and connections with Korean students and families. Social work students will have special lectures and agency site visits to learn more in-depth about Korea’s social welfare system. Non social work students can select special topics in Korean business, sports, nature photography, mass media, art, family life, society, or cuisine. All participants will have Korean language classes, based on skill level, from beginning to advanced.

Hallym University

The program is run by Hallym University in partnership with the KU School of Social Welfare. Hallym is a major private university in South Korea. Hallym has been named a “Distinguished University” by the Korean Ministry of Education for a number of years, and it was ranked one of the top ten universities in Korea by the Joong-Ang Daily newspaper in 2003. The university has strived for a world-class education, and its success has been powered by its faculty’s passion for innovative and creative thinking and research. Prof. Edward Canda of the KU-SSW will coordinate with Hallym faculty and serve as the KU based instructor.

Chuncheon, South Korea

Hallym University is located in Chuncheon, South Korea. Chuncheon, with a population of 259,000, is approximately two hours northeast of Seoul and is the capital of Gangwon Province. Chuncheon is renowned as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea due to its overwhelming natural beauty. The city is surrounded by clear lakes and rivers and beautiful blue mountains. Visitors can explore its natural beauty at Nami Island and Gangwondo provincial flower garden. They can discover its deep history at Cheongpyeong temple as well as learn the latest in Korean animation at the Animation Museum in this thriving modern city.

Academic Program

This four week program offers students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience of Korean culture, history, religions, language, inter-cultural communication, family life, music and arts, and social welfare. Social work participants will have more intensive learning about the social welfare system in Korea, including social services for children and adolescents, elderly, people with disabilities, and families. Non-social welfare majors can choose to focus on language, history, business, sports and media during the program. Hallym social work faculty and KU social work Professor Edward Canda will provide lectures and events, including pre-departure orientation meetings in Lawrence or KC/KS. Agency visits will likely include Chuncheon Senior Center (Buddhist affiliated), World Vision Welfare Center (Protestant affiliated), Sillym Welfare Center, Gangwon Province Welfare Center for People with Disabilities; Counseling Center for Adolescents (Catholic affiliated), and WE-Start Sokcho Village, an innovative project to fight against poverty, similar to ‘Head Start’ which provides comprehensive services of social, educational and health services for the family. All students will learn at least elementary Korean language. Korean studies students will have more intensive language training based on their skill level. Graduate level students will have a special assignment.

In addition to the lectures, students will have the opportunity to travel to significant cultural, religious, and historical sites in and around Chuncheon such as the Korean Folk Village, National Museum of Korea, Nami Island, the East Sea, and the beautiful Seol-Ak Mountains.

Hallym University will offer two optional excursions after the program finishes. One of the excursions is to Jeju Island which is close to the southwestern corner of the Korean peninsula and the second excursion is a five day excursion to China. The excursions are not included in the KU program fee. Students interested in participating in these optional excursions should pay for the excursion directly to Hallym. Contact Renée Frias for additional details.

Accommodations

Students will stay in air-conditioned dormitory rooms at Hallym University’s Student Dormitory. There will likely be two students per room, a KU student and a Korean roommate. Three meals a day are provided at the university’s cafeteria. The dormitory rooms have internet connections. The dormitory has lounges with a TV/VCR, a refrigerator, and a microwave as well as a karaoke lounge. KU student rooms will be in a quiet study section of the dorm.

Dates

Depart US: June 29, 2009
Arrive in Seoul: June 30, 2009
Depart Seoul: August 1, 2009

Eligibility

Open to BSW, MSW & Doctoral Students in Social Work and to other KU students with interest in Korean culture, language, and religions. Minimum 2.5 GPA required for bachelor’s level students; minimum 3.00 GPA required for graduate level (exceptions considered after submission of a petition). There is no language requirement for this program.

Credit

Three hours of credit or 45 CEU credits are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. Three hours may be applied towards certain BSW, MSW or doctoral degree requirements. Social work students should contact Dr. Edward Canda (edc@ku.edu) in the School of Social Welfare for more information. Students from other KU majors should contact their academic advisor for information about how this might meet requirements.

Cost

Program Fee: $2,790. The program fee includes accommodations, meals, excursions, orientation, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, and administrative expenses. Up to 7 students will be selected on a competitive merit basis to receive a scholarship of $200 to $300, due to a grant from the Shumaker Family Foundation administered by Prof. Edward Canda. Priority will be given to social work students, but all are eligible. No special application is necessary for this scholarship.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated undergraduate tuition and Social Welfare fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $695. *
Estimated graduate tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $841.

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact.

Additional costs: Airfare, books, passport fees, and personal expenses.

Note

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for summer financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is March 1.

Social Welfare Study Abroad Scholarships

The Dean of the School of Social Welfare has scholarships (approx. $300-500 each) available for students in the School. To apply, please submit a one page statement which explains the connections/contributions that your study abroad program will make to your social work education. Submit the statement to Mary Ellen Kondrat, Dean of the School of Social Welfare, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS by March 1st. See Program Fee section for additional scholarship for all students in this Korea program.

Application Procedures

Final Application Deadline: March 1, 2009

Application forms are available from the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the application. All application materials are to be returned to the Office of Study Abroad no later than March 1.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

Useful Websites

Korean Social Work/KU Study Abroad Information: http://www.socwel.ku.edu/canda/Korea/Kindex.htm

Hallym University: http://english.hallym.ac.kr/ and http://his.hallym.ac.kr

Chuncheon: http://tour.chuncheon.go.kr/eng/index.html

South Korea: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto

For more information contact:

Professor Ed Canda, Department of Social Welfare
e-mail: edc@ku.edu

The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515
phone: 785-864-3742
fax: 785-864-5040
e-mail: osa@ku.edu