The #1 Rated High School Summer Program in Korea is now accepting applications!
(Go Overseas, 2024)
What is SPARKS?
The Summer Pre-College Academy for Research in Korean Studies
THE BEST SUMMER PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KOREA
Designed for high-achieving high school students aged 14-18, SPARKS offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to deeply immerse themselves in Korean language, culture, and history while earning college credit from Seoul National University, the top-ranked university in Korea.
Beyond academics, this high school summer pre-college program provides personalized cultural activities tailored to individual interests, and weekly sessions with professionals from business, entertainment, and security, and history offer students insights into potential career paths.
Join Seoul SPARKS for a transformative high school summer program in Korea, where you'll build lasting connections and gain invaluable skills for your future.
What will my summer in Korea be like?
With SPARKS, the city of Seoul is your classroom, and a new adventure waits around every corner.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Each week, you and the other high school students attending Seoul SPARKS will delve into one of six pivotal periods of Korean history, immersing yourself in the rich array of sights, sounds, flavors, and emotions that define Korea's legacy - from the majestic elegance of the Joseon Dynasty to the pulsating energy of the Hallyu Wave. With SPARKS, you will live and breathe 632 years of Korean history in a chronological journey where each day adds depth to your appreciation and understanding of this incredible country.
WEEKDAY MORNINGS
You will spend 9:00 to 1:00 at Seoul National University in Korean language lessons. In addition to Korean proficiency, your classes will yield up to six college credits from Korea's #1 ranked university. You can later use these to apply transfer credit at universities around the world and use to demonstrate your readiness for college-level work.
WEEKDAY AFTERNOONS
Every Friday, you will take recurring classes in skills you can use for life. These include taekwondo, minhwa folk painting, calligraphy, Korean cooking, and more.
On other days, you will complement your Korean history studies with relevant film discussions, interactive sessions led by Korean experts professionals in academia, security, entertainment, and business, and independent exploration with your undergraduate Korean mentor.
EVENINGS
As evening falls, you will retreat to a state-of-the-art residence hall in central Seoul. Here, you can study, rest, and enjoy three meals a day in a secure and comfortable environment. With at least two SPARKS staff members always on-site, assistance and guidance are just a moment away, ensuring your experience is both enriching and supportive.
WEEKENDS
Every Saturday, the entire SPARKS cohort will go on an excursion that will help the group deepen their understanding of that week's historical theme. The trips included in SPARKS include but are not limited to exploring royal palaces while wearing hanbok, visiting the DMZ alongside a North Korean defector, learning about and reenacting the 1988 Olympic Games at Olympic Park, and touring TV studios with professionals in the Korean entertainment industry.
What is Included in SPARKS?
Transport to and from Incheon International Airport
At the beginning and end of the Seoul SPARKS program, staff members will assist students at the airport and ensure that they and their luggage arrive safely at the residence hall without hassle or stress.
120 hours (6 college credits) of Korean classes at SNU
SPARKS students will take the equivalent of two college semesters of Korean in six weeks, spending four hours in class each day. Transcripts will be provided so students can transfer the credits to their high school or university.
Comfortable Lodgings in central Seoul
SPARKS students will live in a safe, comfortable, and conveniently located residence hall in Seoul. Students may be assigned a roommate of their choice if desired. At least two staff members will stay at the residence hall every day.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Three meals a day will be served each day. Dietary restrictions such as vegetarianism, allergies, halal, kosher and more will be accommodated.
100% Customized
1:1 or 1:2 Activities
If you have a special interest you want to explore while in Korea, we will create a 100% bespoke activity just for you! Past activities have included K-pop dance, fashion design, a skincare brand internship, journalism, and more!
Meetings and Discussions with High-Level Experts
Every week, students will meet have the opportunity to attend talks and lectures by experts in the fields of business, entertainment, security, and history.
Undergraduate Korean
Mentor and Study Buddy
Each SPARKS participant is paired with a university-aged mentor who will help them navigate Seoul, assist them with homework, and help them make Korean friends in Seoul.
Thematic Field Trips
& Immersion in Korean History
During each week of the program, students will do a deep-dive into one of six periods of Korean history. On Saturday, they will go on a field trip to a location where they will be immersed in the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of that period.
24/7 Security and
Emergency Support
Safety is our team's #1 priority. At least two SPARKS staff members will stay in the residence hall with students at all times, and SPARKS students will have access to a staff member on duty through an emergency number 24/7.
SIM Card with
Unlimited Data
Navigating Seoul can be tricky without Internet access, so we will provide students with SIM cards that will enable them to access maps, communications apps, and upload photos of their adventures for every part of the program!
Access to an
All-Star Global Team
Our program staff is comprised of Koreans and long-term residents of Korea. Many of them have been high school exchange students themselves, so they will be able to empathize with students as they navigate our program. All Seoul SPARKS staff members speak fluent English and Korean.
...And More!
We are working on forging even more partnerships to make SPARKS 2025 and beyond as enriching and fun as possible.
Please contact us if you have any ideas for activities and components that can be incorporated into the program!
Why Choose SPARKS?
Our summer program strikes a balance between academic rigor and enriching cultural activities.