2025 International Summer Semester (ISS) Kicks Off

-A total of 815 students from 99 universities across 49 countries participate

- Office of International Affairs expands program into a multi-stage global education model including Korean cultural experiences and research internships

▲ The 2025 ISS Orientation was held on Friday, June 27 at the Business Building’s Small Theater on the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus.

Sungkyunkwan University’s Office of International Affairs (headed by Professor Minhyo Cho) announced that the 17th annual International Summer Semester (ISS) is being held from June 27 (Fri) to July 25 (Fri) on the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus. This year, the program welcomes 815 students from 99 universities in 49 countries.

The 2025 ISS offers 42 courses across diverse fields including ▲Business/Economics, ▲Humanities and Social Sciences, ▲AI and Data Science, and ▲Korean Language/Korean Studies, taught by 21 international professors and 5 SKKU faculty members.

▲ ISS participants pose for a photo with SKKU’s mascots, Myeongnyun-i and Yuljeon-i.

Classes are held Monday through Thursday, while Fridays are reserved for cultural activities such as visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace, mudflats, Everland, and the DMZ, providing opportunities for exchange between local and international students.

▲ As part of the Korean cultural program, ISS students visited Gyeongbokgung Palace and Seoul City Hall.

This year’s ISS also features a Global Colloquium on Thursday, July 24, where faculty from top universities including Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Toronto will join to discuss “The Future of AI and Humanity”, highlighting interdisciplinary research and global collaboration.

Following the ISS, a Research Internship program will offer selected students the opportunity to engage in full-time research in SKKU labs, aiming to attract top international students to graduate programs and strengthen the foundation for future global joint research.

▲ Pre-session students took part in Korean cultural activities such as Taekwondo and K-pop dance classes.

Meanwhile, the Pre-session, held prior to the Main Session (June 18–25), included Korean language education and cultural programs, helping newly arrived international students adapt smoothly to life in Korea and receiving high satisfaction ratings.