Information and Communications University in Daejeon, South Korea

Fall – 15 weeks (late August to mid-December)
Spring – 15 weeks (late February to late May)
Summer – 7 weeks (mid-June to early August), tentatively

Sponsored by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program provides access to both undergraduate and masters-level courses in business, information technology, and telecommunications.  There is a special focus on managing IT businesses, Internet business, and wireless communications, which are all areas in which Korea is considered a global leader.  Located in Daejeon in the heart of Korea about one hour from Seoul, the ICU has quickly established itself as one of the leading IT business and engineering schools in the country.

Paid research internships are available to students willing to participate in a research project.

For more information about this program, visit the program web page.

Where does it take place?

Daejeon is Korea's fifth largest city (pop. 1.39 million) and home to many of the research facilities of leading Korean IT companies. It has good access to Seoul as well as many other destinations in Korea.

What can I study?

This program is part of a two-way student exchange agreement between MSU's Telecommunications, Information Studies & Media Department and the ICU School of IT Business.  At least 10 courses at both the 300-400 undergraduate and the graduate level, all taught in English, have been identified that can be taken for MSU credit including, but not limited to, the following courses:  Information Society, Telecommunications Markets and Management, Market Research, Wireless Networks, Telecommunications Networks, M-Commerce, Electronic Business Development Strategies, Internet Business Management, and Network Economics.

All courses are taught by ICU faculty and all instruction at ICU is in English.

A summer program for transfer credit is also offered, covering aspects of the IT business in Korea.  It includes classes as well as field trips to major Korean IT companies such as Samsung and SK Telecom, and cultural sites.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open only to MSU students and targets upper division and graduate Telecommunication, Information Studies & Media majors, especially those interested in the business and management aspects of technology and pursuing the IT specialization.  The program is also open to students in other majors such as Accounting and Information Systems and Computer Science and Engineering.  All applicants must have some background in information technology.

All students must have at least junior status and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

International visitors live in dormitories on the ICU campus in double rooms.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Charles Steinfield
Telecommunication, Information Studies & Media
409 Communication Arts and Sciences
Phone: (517) 355-8372

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to South Korea
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Estimated costs are not yet available, but please check this Web page often for updates.

An application fee of $100 is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for summer and fall semester programs, and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for summer and fall semester programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.