Studying Korean at WashU
Washington University offers an excellent opportunity to pursue students' interest in Korean studies. Korean program currently offers five years of Korean language classes. Students can also take courses in Korean civilization, Korean religion and history as well as contemporary Korean literature and films. Korean language classes are usually small, and they provide settings for great classroom interactions and personal attention from the faculty.
Students can travel to Korea and experience the unique culture first-hand. Some of our students study abroad during their junior years at Yonsei University or Seoul National University in Seoul. Others spend a summer in Korea to enhance their language skills and experience the Korean culture. There are opportunities for internships and workshops that are supported by scholarships and grants.
On the Washington University campus itself, there are many ways to celebrate the Korean culture. One of them is the Spirit of Korea Festival that is held in every April. It celebrates both traditional and contemporary Korean culture, and it is one of the main events organized by student groups such as KSA (Korean Student Association) and KISS (Korean International Student Society). The festival attracts enthusiastic participation of many students from diverse backgrounds. Students can be a part of a cool hip-hop dance group or a graceful traditional fan dance troop. There is also a Samulori (traditional Korean percussion music) band if one enjoys the passionate, high energy Korean rhythm. Of course, there is Taekwondo club on the campus for those who are into the sport of ancient martial arts.
The Lunar New Year Festival is another event where Korean culture is celebrated with other Asian cultures such as Chinese and Japanese. There is the Korean Film Festival or Film Series featuring celebrated Korean films every semester. Hangul Day Celebration, New Year's gathering, and the End of the Semester Study Break gatherings with Korean games and food are fun times for students to share with other Korean language students at the university.
If you wish to meet with the Korean faculty or to visit one of the Korean classes, contact korean@wustl.edu. The faculty would be happy to meet you to answer your questions about the Korean program at the Washington University in St. Louis.
The Language
The language program enables undergraduate students to attain a high level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, and to acquire the cultural knowledge and competency needed to communicate effectively in a Korean environment.
The Literature and Culture
The Korean program at Washington University offers students the opportunity to discover and explore Korea's rich and unique cultural and literary traditions, beginning from earliest times up to the twenty-first century. Looking beyond language, students will become familiar with the major landmarks of Korean culture and civilization-- its history, literature, philosophy, religion and arts-- and they will acquire a greater appreciation of the rapid changes taking place in Korea today.
