Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the IWC program.
Q.
Can I choose my own roommate?
Roommates are assigned randomly, and we are unable to accommodate requests for specific roommate pairings. This ensures a fair process for all participants. If you wish to share a room with a friend, we recommend arranging accommodation independently outside of the program housing.
Q.
Can I choose a specific building or room for accommodation?
Students who apply for International House will be randomly assigned to either CJ International House or Anam International House. Applicants for Frontier House will be placed in Frontier House. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate requests for a specific building within International House.
Q.
How much does the coin laundry cost?
Dormitory coin laundries are open 24 hours a day. The cost ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 KRW per use.
Q.
Is Wi-Fi provided in the dormitories?
Yes. free Wi-Fi is available in all dormitory rooms, as well as in lobbies and classrooms.
Q.
What supplies are provided by the dormitory?
Dormitories provide card-keys, pillows, and blankets.
Students are responsible for bringing or purchasing personal items such as towels, toiletries, and travel adaptors.
Q.
Is a meal plan included in the dormitory fee?
No, a meal plan is not included. Meals may be purchased at the dormitory cafeterias, which cost approximately 6,000–8,000 KRW per meal. The usual serving times are as follows:
Breakfast: 08:00–09:00 (not available on weekends)
Lunch: 12:00–13:00
Dinner: 17:30–18:30
Please note that operating hours may change during vacation periods. For the most up-to-date information, visit dorm.korea.ac.kr
Q.
Can I extend my stay in the dormitory?
No. Dormitory stays cannot be extended beyond the official program period. Students are expected to check in and check out on the designated dates provided by the program.
Q.
I have more questions about accommodation. Who should I contact?
For any additional questions regarding accommodation, please reach out to your assigned RA (Resident Assistant), who will be able to provide detailed guidance and support.
Q.
When will I receive my letter of acceptance?
You will be notified within two weeks after completing your application fee payment and submitting all required documents to kuwinter@korea.ac.kr. If you have not received your letter within this period or require it urgently, please contact us by email for assistance.
Q.
How can I apply for a visa?
Student are responsible to apply for the correct type of visa at the Korean Embassy or Consulate Office in advance. Please refer to the Application -> Visa menu for further details.
Q.
How should students prepare for IWC courses?
Students have full responsibility to prepare for their selected course materials. Please refer to the course syllabus and check the course materials. Students may contact the Professors directly regarding additional course materials needed for the IWC courses.
Q.
Can graduate students apply for the program?
Yes. Graduate students are welcome to participate, and a selection of graduate-level courses is available. The finalized list of graduate-level classes will be posted on our website after October, along with syllabi and faculty information.
Please note that graduate students are responsible for arranging their own visa and handling any credit transfers with their home university.
Please contact us in advance.
Q.
Can pre-college students apply for the program?
Yes. Pre-college students are welcome to participate if they meet one of the following requirements:
- Academically motivated 12th graders who are at least 18 years old
- High school graduates who are 18 years old or older
* Please note that applicants must not have graduated from a Korean public high school
* Please note that pre-college students are responsible for arranging their own visa
Q.
Can students with Korean nationality who study abroad apply for the program?
Yes. Students may apply to the IWC program regardless of their Korean citizenship.
Q.
Do I need a visa if I am only taking online classes?
No. Students enrolled exclusively in online classes do not need to obtain a visa, nor are they required to submit health insurance or passport documents.
Q.
Can I get assistance with my visa application?
Students are fully responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa for their stay. The KU IWC office does not provide individual visa consultation; however, we can issue supporting documents upon request to assist with your application. We strongly advise all students to begin the visa application process well in advance to ensure sufficient time for approval.
Q.
When does the application window close?
The application window closes on November 14, 2025.
Q.
What is the deadline for registration (final payment)?
The final payment (registration) deadline is November 21, 2025. Applications not paid in full by this date will not be considered registered.
Q.
What if I arrive late for my program?
All students are expected to be present for the first day of class given the intensity and short length of our program. If you cannot arrive for the first day of class, you should notify your professors asking for permission to your late arrival. The professors’ contact information is provided on their course syllabus.
Q.
What are the academic expectations for students?
Students are expected to be familiar with the course and website. You can download the course syllabi from Program -> Courses menu. Given the short length of time, students are advised to preview the course information on the IWC website prior to arrival in Korea University.
Students are expected to attend class everyday as “Class Participation” is a part of our grading policy. Students must also complete a high volume of reading and homework assignments.
Please note that this is a regular semester condensed into 3 weeks. One class workload will be equivalent to what you will learn in a week in the normal semester and you will not succeed if you miss classes and try to cram right before final exams.
Q.
Is class attendance mandatory?
Yes. According to KU academic regulations, students must attend at least two-thirds of all classes in order to receive a passing grade. Those who do not meet this requirement will automatically receive an F. This policy applies equally to online, offline, and blended courses.
Q.
Can my friend join me in class?
No. Only students officially enrolled in the specific IWC course may participate in classes. Guests or students outside of the program are not permitted. For further clarification, you may contact your professor directly.
Q.
What should I do if I get sick during the semester?
If you miss class due to illness, you must provide an official doctor’s note for your professor to recognize the absence as excused. Please note that unofficial documents or personal notes will not be accepted and will be treated as unexcused absences.
Q.
How do I add a course or make any changes after I submit my applicaion?
You can change your application in Apply & Pay - View/Change Application menu before registration deadline. After that, please contact to us via email (kuwinter@korea.ac.kr) to change your application status.
Q.
How do blended courses work?
Blended courses are taught in person at Korea University while being broadcast online at the same time. Students may choose to attend either in person on campus or online from home.
※ Important ※ Students must select their preferred participation method (online or in person) in advance. Changing the participation type is not permitted.
Q.
Why can’t I see the syllabus or professor’s CV for some courses?
We are in the process of confirming both the courses and the professors for the upcoming program. The finalized syllabi and faculty CVs will be released once the program schedule is complete, which we expect by the end of October. We encourage you to check our website again at that time, as all official materials will be uploaded and accessible there.
Q.
Are all courses offered in English?
Yes. All courses are taught in English by professors from renowned universities around the world. The only exception is Korean language courses, which are conducted in Korean.
Q.
Can I enroll in both a 3-week course and a 4-week course?
Yes. Students are permitted to take a 3-week course in addition to a 4-week course. Please ensure that your accommodation arrangements cover the entire duration of your academic schedule.
Q.
Why can't I choose certain courses?
If a course name appears greyed out and does not respond when you click it, this means the class has already reached its maximum enrollment capacity. We recommend exploring other available course options.
Q.
How can I transfer credits to my home institution?
Students are advised to consult with the appropriate academic authorities regarding credit transferability at their home institutions in advance. They will probably ask for our academic calendar, policies, and course syllabi. Before the consultation, please prepare those from the IWC Program menu.
Q.
What kinds of extracurricular programs are available at KU IWC?
KU IWC students can taste the unique culture of Korea by going on various day trips to places like visiting amusement park and participating in K-Culture Class. Please refer to the Program -> Cultural Activities menu for details.
Q.
When do I receive my transcript?
Information about the transcript will be posted on the website during the final week of the program. Following the instructions provided in the announcement. Transcripts will be sent sequentially starting two weeks after the program ends.
Q.
Are internship programs offered during IWC?
Internship opportunities are not available through the IWC program. However, internships are offered through the ISC program. If you are interested in gaining internship experience, we encourage you to explore ISC as an option.
Q.
Are there sports facilities on campus?
Yes. IWC students may apply to use the university gym for workouts. Details on registration and fee will be provided during the program.
Q.
Can I bring my family on move-in day or to other events?
Please note that access to dormitories and program events is restricted to IWC participants only, and non-IWC guests will not be permitted entry.
Q.
Are software programs provided for IWC participants?
No. Software programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, and others are not provided by the IWC.
Students are expected to come prepared with the necessary software and electronic devices required for their coursework.
Q.
Can I borrow electronic devices from IWC?
No. The IWC program does not provide device-lending services. Students are strongly encouraged to bring all necessary electronic devices required for their courses.
Q.
What is the best way to get around Seoul?
We recommend students use the Climate Card, which provides unlimited access to public transportation throughout the city. Further details can be found under Campus Life → Student Services on our website.
Q.
How do I sign up for cultural activities?
The KU IWC Team will distribute a survey form after the program begins. Students who wish to participate can sign up by completing and submitting the form.
Q.
Are cultural activities mandatory?
No. Participation in cultural activities is optional. However, we strongly encourage students to join, as these activities offer valuable insights into Korea’s unique culture and provide excellent sightseeing opportunities.
Q.
How many credits does a course offer?
Each course is worth 3 credits, following the U.S. credit system. Credits earned at KU IWC are generally transferable to many overseas institutions; however, final approval is at the discretion of your home university. We strongly recommend that you confirm transferability with the appropriate academic office at your institution in advance.
Q.
Do I receive a student ID card?
Yes. Every IWC student will be issued a student ID card. The card grants access to campus facilities, including the main library and other designated buildings.
Q.
How can I pay the fees?
Fees can be paid through Flywire and Direct Transfer methods.
For Flywire, payment can only be made in foreign currencies such as USD, and it can be completed via the "Apply & Pay - Complete Payment" menu. Flywire supports credit card payments, quick payments, and bank transfers.
For Direct Transfer, payment is only possible in KRW. Each applicant will receive their unique virtual bank account, and the individual virtual account number can be found on the confirmation screen immediately after applying for KU IWC, in the email, or in the "Apply & Pay - View/Change Application" menu.
Q.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Please refer to the Application -> Withdrawal & Refund Policy menu for further details.
Q.
What happens if I have overpaid for the fee?
If the overpaid amount is over $50, please send an email to KU IWC to apply for a refund. Please note that refunds for amounts less than $50 are not possible considering the transfer fees.
Q.
How do I know whether my payment went through?
You can check your payment status on the view/change application page. If you have made the payment through Flywire, it can take between 1 hour to 1 day, depending on the payment method. If you chose Direct Transfer, you can expect confirmation within 4 to 7 working days.
Q.
Payment by credit card isn't working
1. Flywire operates well in Chrome and Safari browser. Please try using another browser.
2. If your credit card does not support international payments. In this case, please consider using alternative methods like Direct Transfer.
Q.
When is the payment deadline?
The payment deadline is Friday November 21st, 2025. Please pay all fees (application, tuition fee and miscellaneous expenses) by the payment deadline.
Q.
What is included in the application and tuition?
The fee covers the application process, tuition for your classes, and cultural activity expenses. Please note that flights, off-campus accommodation, and meals are not included in the listed program fees.
Q.
I missed the refund deadline. What can I do?
Unfortunately, refunds cannot be issued after the stated deadline, regardless of the circumstances. We strongly encourage all students to review the refund policy and deadlines carefully when planning their application to avoid any inconvenience.
Q.
How do I pay the tuition at the discounted rate?
If you are eligible for a discount, please first pay the application fee of KRW 100,000. The discounted tuition fee should then be paid separately, one week later.