South Korea is one of YFU’s highest-demand destinations for Australian and New Zealand students, and applications consistently outpace available placements. The country offers a uniquely immersive blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity – a society where thousand-year-old temples sit next to global technology leaders, and where K-pop, K-drama, and Korean food culture have built a worldwide audience that Australians and New Zealanders are very much part of.
For students fascinated by East Asian culture, language, and society, South Korea is one of the most compelling exchanges available. It’s also one of the most genuinely welcoming countries on the YFU network for international students – Korean families take enormous pride in their culture and love sharing it with curious visitors from overseas.
Korean family life is close-knit, respectful of hierarchy, and deeply centred on education and family meals. Host families typically take a genuine and active interest in the exchange student’s experience, and many students report feeling like a genuine second family member from early in their stay.
Korean schools are academically demanding and highly structured. Education is taken extremely seriously in Korean society — local students study intensively, particularly in the lead-up to university entrance exams. Most high schools will not have clubs or extensive extracurricular activities at school level, as students’ after-school time is often spent at private tutoring academies (hagwons). YFU encourages exchange students to explore activities outside school — Korean martial arts, K-pop dance classes, language exchange meetups, and community sports are popular ways to build connections.
Korean is the language of the exchange. No prior Korean is required, and the challenge of learning a genuinely different script and language system is part of what makes the Korea exchange one of the most personally stretching on the YFU network.
Students must have studied the language for at least 150 hours and have a basic understanding of Korean traditions and manners.
Education in Korea is important to many students and so local students can be busy studying to prepare for university entrance before their graduating year. Because of this, most high schools will not have clubs or extracurricular activities. Exchange students are encouraged to enrol into sports clubs and groups outside of school. Many students enjoy practicing Korean martial arts, learning about Korean traditions or learn K-Pop dancing as an optional activity after school.
South Korean high schools (Godeung Hakgyo) cover students aged 15–18 and are among the most academically rigorous in the world — consistently ranking at the top of international assessments. The core curriculum covers Korean Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, History, English, Arts, and Physical Education. School days are long, sometimes running from 8am into the early evening, and academic pressure is high. Exchange students are expected to attend school and participate in classes, though assessment expectations are adjusted for international students.
The family is the most important part of Korean life for all Koreans. The father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide for the family and to approve the marriages of family members in accordance with the Confucian teachings and tradition.
Family welfare is much more important than the needs of the individual. The actions of one family member reflects on the rest of the family in the eyes of their community. This means that all members of the family have a strong obligation to all members of their family unit.
The eldest son has special duties: first to his parents, then to his brothers from eldest to youngest, then, when he marries, to his own sons, wife and lastly to his daughters.
These values of duty, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for age and seniority, and sincerity are basic tenets of Confucianism which all Korean families live by.
Relationships between people in families, the community and school in Korea operate on the basis of harmony. The Korean word “Kibun” is a word with no literal English translation; the closest terms are pride, face, mood, feelings, or state of mind. If you hurt your host parent’s or host sibling’s “kibun” you hurt their pride, cause them to lose dignity, and lose face. It is always therefore important to maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the family even if sometimes it means not telling the whole truth. There are also strict rules when meeting people in Korea. South Koreans bow to a person of higher status on meeting them. Some Koreans will then shake hands with you as well, acknowledging your cultural traditions of greeting people. When saying goodbye at social gatherings you should remember to bow to each person individually.
Yes — applications for South Korea regularly exceed available placements. If South Korea is your first preference, apply early in the intake period.
Korean schools are academically rigorous and structured. School days can be long, the curriculum is demanding, and local students study intensively. Most schools have limited club or extracurricular activity at school level, exchange students are encouraged to pursue activities outside school hours through community clubs and classes.
YFU encourages South Korea exchange students to join activities outside of school: Korean martial arts (Taekwondo, Hapkido), K-pop dance classes, language exchange programs, and community sports are popular choices. These are typically where exchange students build their strongest friendships.
Korean cuisine is diverse, flavourful, and central to family and social life. Shared meals (banchan — multiple small dishes alongside a main) are a daily experience, and food is a genuine cultural bridge. Most exchange students become enthusiastic advocates for Korean food on returning home.
Yes. A student (D-4) visa is required for programs over 90 days. YFU provides full documentation and step-by-step guidance through the Korean visa application process as part of your enrolment.
Enrolment in a public or private school for the first semester and placement in an NGO project for the second semester
Placement in an NGO project (Typically related to childcare, women's care, environmental NGOs)
Our standard all-inclusive program price with no hidden fees.
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, plus receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting a student*
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting* plus a further $2500 discount when you book your own flights**
*The host a student reimbursement is a payment of $100AUD/$120NZD per week
**When you book your own flights, you will be required to adhere to specific travel dates and arrival times in the destination country. This offer does not include exchange programs to Thailand, Korea, or China.
Enquire today about this program. We’ve got experts ready to assist with any enquiry about the countries, programs and the process.
Simply register and attend one of our in-person Information Evenings and you will automatically get $100 off your program fee.
