top of page

2025 SPARKS Itinerary

Curious about what you will do each day during SPARKS? Look no further! Here, you will find a detailed breakdown of what students will do each week of the program.

 

Every Sunday marks the beginning of a new unit of Korean history, about which the students will learn in detail through field trips and excursions, meals, discussions with experts, and discussing relevant historical films. Each week builds on the themes and points discussed in the previous week, leading to an increased understanding and appreciation for the threads that weave together Korea's past, present, and future.

​

Our goal for our students is that they will return home from Korea with an appreciation and empathy for the amazing transformation Korea has undergone in the past century by experiencing the incredible story of modern Korean history in chronological order.

Sample
Weekly
Schedule*
 

*We are constantly striving to include the best possible activities to our students, so the actual SPARKS 2025 activities might differ slightly from this list.

Screenshot 2023-11-09 at 16.22.19.png

Week One:
Joseon Dynasty

SPARKS Hanbok Group Palace.jpg
FIELD TRIP AND GROUP MEAL

  • Royal Palace Tour, Hanbok Experience, and Korean Royal Cuisine

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • Joseon Korean literary translator Professor Choi Byeong-heon

​

FILM

  • The King's Letters

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • Hangul Museum

  • Jongmyo Shrine

  • Mock Gwageo Exam

  • Calligraphy Experience

Week Two:
Japanese Occupation

SPARKS Students Exploring Seodaemun Prison History Museum.jpg

FIELD TRIP

  • Bukhansan National Park, Jinwansa, and Chueok Dosirak

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • Expert on Japanese Colonization of Korea

​

FILM

  • The Age of Shadows

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • Seodaemun Prison Museum

  • Dilkusha

  • Tapgol Park

  • Taegukki Mandeulgi Experience

Week Three:
The Korean War

SPARKS Students Group DMZ.HEIC
FIELD TRIP

  • Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and try North Korean food

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • North Korean Defector

​
FILM

  • Joint Security Area

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • 6.25 War Memorial

  • Unification Media Group Studio

  • Korean National Library

Week Four:
The Miracle on the Han River

SPARKS Students Group Photo Suncheon Selfie Director Sarah Mack.HEIC
FIELD TRIP AND GROUP MEAL

  • Overnight MT Trip to Suncheon and Gwangju

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • Gwangju 5.18 Expert and Memorial Ceremony

​

FILM

  • Ode to My Father

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • Museum of Korean Contemporary History

  • SNU Path of Democracy

  • Dongmyo Flea Market

Week Five:
Democratic ROK

SPARKS Five Students Friends Olympic Parks Wide.jpeg
FIELD TRIP AND GROUP MEAL

  • Nami Island & Dalkgalbi

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • Expert on the 1988 Seoul Olympics

​

FILM

  • A Taxi Driver

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • The Blue House Park

  • The National Assembly Building

  • Nursing Home Volunteer Activity

  • Chungmuro Film Street

Week Six:
Modern Korea

SPARKS Students at Sebit Island on Last Day.jpg
FIELD TRIP AND GROUP MEAL

  • Graduation Party and Closing Ceremony

  • K-Pop Makeover, Lotte Tower Observatory, and Concert

​

SPEAKER(S)

  • Carlos from "Abnormal Summit"

​

FILM

  • Parasite

​

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION SITES

  • Seoullo 7017

  • SM Museum Tour

  • Coffee Prince Cafe

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Read a week-by-week breakdown of all the activities, field trips, lectures, and special meals we will have during SPARKS 2025.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Visit our Tuition and Fees page to learn about how SPARKS is able to provide all of the above and more at an unbeatable price.

bottom of page