Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term-to-term. The excursions below are ones that have run in the past!

Day Trips

Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace Wearing a Hanbok

We will eat lunch together and then visit a Hanbok shop, a store where you can rent or buy traditional Korean dress. You'll get the chance to pick out a Hanbok and have it styled for you, including matching hair and accessories! Wearing your hanbok, you will walk through Gyeongbok Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Visitors to the palace are encouraged to step back in time and wear hanbok, to get the full historical experience! Students can choose to partake in a guided tour or explore on their own as they walk through palace gardens and courtyards.

DMZ Tour

Students will learn more about the history of the Korean War and how it still affects Korea today. Students will visit Imjingak park where they will learn about Korea's hope for peace and reunification as well as the refugees still affected by the war. Students will then visit the Freedom Bridge, which was built for South Korean prisoners to return home. Students will also have the option of walking through the 3rd infiltration tunnel, a deep underground tunnel North Korean soldiers built to invade South Korea. Finally, students will visit a history hall and observatory, where they can learn more about the Korean War and look into the country of North Korea.

Local Life Activities

Korean Cooking Class 

Korean food is one of the highlights of a visit to Korea, so why not learn how to cook some of the recipes yourself? In this cooking class, we learn how to cook Bulgogi (Marinated Korean Beef) and Japchae (Korean sweet potato noodles). Then, we can enjoy this delicious lunch together! 

K-Pop Dance Lesson

Did you know that K-pop is the third-largest export in Korea? You will enjoy the dance moves with English speaking instructor. Any K-pop songs and moves in mind? Just let the site director know it, and maybe you can learn that dance! This is a fun, must-do experience in South Korea!

Korean Traditional Arts Class

Experience Korea's traditional arts culture by participating in an arts and craft experience! Stamp carving, traditional indigo dyeing, and traditional painting and calligraphy are only some of the art experiences that Korea has to offer. After your class, tour the Seoul Craft Museum to see more examples and learn about the deeper history of Korean folk art. 

And more! Stay tuned for announcements from your Site Director on which exciting excursions and activities you will be able to participate in this semester.