Gap Year in Seoul, South Korea
This technology and fashion-forward city cherishes tradition as much as innovation.
This technology and fashion-forward city cherishes tradition as much as innovation.
Wherever you look in Seoul, you’ll find art openings, trendy cafés, and succulent Korean barbecue hitting your plate.
Snake your way through the city more seamlessly as your language skills improve. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want in this 24-hour city. In one day, you can easily tour a palace, sip tea, sit back at a spa, eat a snack at the Dongdaemun night market, take in the sights at the lit-up Design Plaza, then finally snooze if you're tuckered out. Seoul will be there when you're ready to do it all again in the morning.
Get the royal treatment. Visit gorgeous, grand Gyeongbokgung, the largest of South Korea’s five palaces. All 7,700 rooms of this palace have been restored since the early 20th century.
What are you in the market for? Find anything you’ve ever wanted at the largest market in South Korea, Namdaemon Market. Make sure to try homemade kalgaksu noodles and bibimbap.
Walk through the bamboo forest. Traipse through this verdant, relaxing garden. Waterfalls, stone steps, and pavilions are all perfect spots to take an oxygen-rich breather.
Take a trip to the war memorial. This enormous museum is dedicated to the history of the Korean War, and features artifacts like tanks, helicopters, and maps.
Enter the heart of tradition. Nestled between the Seoul’s busiest neighborhoods like Bukchon Hanok Village, an outpost of hundreds of traditional houses called hanoks operate as hotels, restaurants, and tea houses.
Find your perfect themed cafe. Obsessed with comic books? How about adult ball pits? Maybe raccoons? Seoul has a themed café for every interest.
Ashley Y., Illinois EF Gap Year Class of 2020I’m really proud of my language study module in Seoul. I didn’t really know the language when I got to Korea, but throughout my stay I saw a lot of improvement. I didn’t miss school once and really pushed myself to learn Korean and meet people. Now, I’m confident that if I go back to Korea, I can get around by myself, ask questions if needed, and do things I couldn’t have done when I first got there.