When applying to study abroad, there are two programs that you can choose to apply through: the Manoa International Exchange (MIX), or the Study Abroad Center (SAC). Both programs have their pros and cons, which you really have to weigh based on what you feel is best for you. The FAQs page on the SAC website explains the main differences. You can also meet with the advisors if you have questions - they are all very friendly and knowledgable! Ultimately, I chose to apply through the MIX program because it is partnered with a relatively large amount of universities in Korea.
**DO NOTE: The courses offered for the Yonsei International Summer School Program are extremely limited compared to the Fall and Spring semesters, so it's important that you talk to your advisor to make sure that there are courses that will actually fulfill your graduation requirements. It is also not guaranteed that you'll get the courses listed, as quite a few were canceled before registration even started. Others were canceled because less than 10 people signed up for it. So it's just really important that you have enough courses to take just in case your first choices fall through, before deciding on going to Yonsei over the summer**
The MIX Program Application requires three main things:
1) The Online Application The online application asks for your passport information, but if you do not have a passport at the time when you apply, make sure you schedule an appointment to get one asap. If you are nominated, your host university will also require your passport information, so you will definitely need to get one before that. Additionally, make sure you are aware of the deadline, which depends on the semester you plan to study abroad in.
Here are important dates for each semester:
Summer, Fall, & Academic Year Exchanges:
Application Opens: August 1st
Application Deadline: December 1st
Spring Exchanges:
Application Opens: January 1st
Application Deadline: May 1st
2) One Letter of Recommendation The letter of recommendation is due on the same day that your online application is due, but I suggest that you ask your recommender well in advance so that they have time to thoroughly fill out the form. Your application will not be considered complete until MIX receives your recommendation. You can find the recommendation form HERE.
3) $30 Application Fee + $50 Administration Fee These fees will be automatically charged to your MyUH account after MIX begins processing the applications. Once you notice that your account has been charged, make sure to pay it off by the deadline, or MIX will deny your application.
You will find out if you are nominated to study abroad a month or two after the application deadline. Since I applied for Spring, I received my nomination email in early July.
Post-Nomination Congratulations, you're nominated! Once you find out that you are nominated to study abroad, make sure you check your email regularly because there will be many important deadlines to meet. Here are links to the main forms that you will need to submit:
If you are applying for a Shidler Travel Scholarship, you can submit the Preliminary Course Form that goes along with the scholarship application instead (they are very similar and MIX approved my Shidler form so I did not have to fill out both)