We expect to begin accepting applications in January 2025. Please submit a contact form if you want us to reach out to you immediately when we open applications for 2025. Note: We accept students on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the higher your chances of acceptance!

Please note that SPARKS 2024 applications are now closed. We expect to begin accepting applications for SPARKS 2025 in January 2025. Please submit a contact form if you want us to reach out to you immediately when we open applications for 2025. Applicants will need to submit a copy of the following documents: High school transcript showing GPA (Unofficial is OK) Permission slip signed by at least one parent or guardian Receipt from paying the application fee Each applicant may also write a 250~500 word essay about how they hope to make the most of their Seoul SPARKS experience. Please view our application instructions page for more information.

It’s optional. If you believe standardized test scores would enhance your application to SPARKS, please feel free to do so. However, it is not required. Spending money to procure and send us official copies of SAT, AP, TOEFL, or other standardized test scores is not necessary. A PDF scan or screenshot is sufficient.

Please note that SPARKS 2024 applications are now closed. We expect to begin accepting applications for SPARKS 2025 in January 2025. Please submit a contact form if you want us to reach out to you immediately when we open applications for 2025. We expect the timeline to look something like the following: Please refer to our application page. [January 1 ~ April 1, 2025] : Regular Application Period The SPARKS team will thoroughly review all applications submitted during the regular application period. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Note: To receive the early application discount, please submit your documents by February 25, 2024. [April 15, 2025]: Application Status Notification Applicants who submit their materials during the regular application period will be informed of their application status via email. [May 1]: Participation Confirmation Accepted applicants must confirm their participation in the program in writing and send a non-refundable deposit to SPARKS. [May 15]: Program Tuition Due Date Program fees must be paid in full. [June 10]: Pre-Program Education and Documentation Proof of pre-program preparation module completion, a copy of the SPARKS Terms & Conditions signed by participants and all legal guardians, and any other documentation deemed necessary for program administration must be submitted.

We will notify applicants of their admission status via email within two weeks of receiving their application or by April 15, 2025 - whichever is earlier.

No. Recommendation letters are not part of our application. However, we will reach out to schedule a one-on-one call with each applicant's parent or guardian before processing the application.

At the start of the program, students must: Be at least 14 years old and at most 18 years old. Have completed grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 (or its equivalent), have graduated from high school within the past calendar year, or be enrolled in their first year of college. Be able to speak conversational English well enough to interact with English-speaking peers. Have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0/4.0 or its equivalent. Be intellectually and emotionally resilient enough to handle the challenges of completing a rigorous program abroad alongside a diverse set of peers. Be physically and mentally healthy enough to participate in the program. Be able to procure a passport and, if necessary, a visa to enter Korea. Agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the program. Be genuinely committed to learning about Korean language and culture. Visit our Application Instructions page to learn more!

Yes! SPARKS welcomes students from all educational backgrounds, including homeschooled students. However, please make sure to reach out to a SPARKS representative before applying to make sure that you meet all other eligibility requirements of the program (age, grade level, GPA, etc.).

Yes! SPARKS welcomes overseas Koreans to participate in our program. Several members of our 2024 cohort were of Korean descent, and they all had amazing experiences with SPARKS! Please note that for safety and equity reasons, SPARKS participants must live in the residence hall with other students and are not permitted to stay overnight with relatives or friends in Korea.

The SPARKS team will accommodate students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other conditions to the best of our ability, and has done so in the past. Facilitating amazing accessible experiences in Korea is a personal passion of Director Sarah Mack, so please know that we will always do our best in this regard! However, applicants should inform SPARKS of the following well in advance: Allergies (Food or otherwise) Chronic Health Conditions Dietary Restrictions Physical Disabilities Sensory Disabilities Mental Health Conditions Neurodivergence Recent Illness or Surgery Learning Disabilities Medications:* If you have any questions regarding our ability to accommodate a disability, chronic illness or other condition, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to figure out what options are available! For the safety of all program participants and staff, we reserve the right to decline or defer admission to the SPARKS 2024 due to health status on a case-by-case basis if we determine we would be unable to provide adequate support. Please note that participants are not permitted to bring emotional support animals (ESA) with them to Korea. *The availability, chemical makeup, and legality of certain medications may differ between Korea as the student’s home country. To ensure that there are no disruptions to the student’s medication schedule, we ask that all participants: 1) Check to make sure that possessing their medication is legal in Korea. 2) Bring enough medication to last throughout the duration of the program in their carry-on when they arrive. 3) Maintain a copy of the original prescriptions and a letter from their doctor specifying the medical condition being treated and a statement on the medicines being imported. Please note that the Korean Customs Service at Incheon Airport has the ultimate authority over which medications will be allowed to be carried into the country. Please refer to our webpage on program eligibility requirements for more information.

Can you read this page without using a translator? If so, then probably. While students will take intensive Korean language courses taught in Korean, SPARKS tours, discussions, lectures, and other activities will be conducted in English. While we don’t require students to submit English proficiency test scores, we do require all applicants to confirm that they speak conversational English at the time of application. This can be confirmed through a screening call with a SPARKS representative if necessary. While we are excited to welcome students from all over the globe, we do this to ensure that all participants are equipped to handle the rigor of the SPARKS program and communicate effectively with their English-speaking peers on the program. Please note that SPARKS staff can offer support in English, Korean, French, Arabic, and Mandarin Chinese on a case-by-case basis. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding English proficiency requirements. Please refer to our webpage on program eligibility requirements for more information.

No. Applicants do not need to have any prior knowledge of the Korean language to participate in SPARKS. However, they are strongly encouraged to learn Hangul (the Korean alphabet) before they arrive in Seoul in Summer 2025. Students who are already familiar with Hangul can refer to this page for more information about resources and tools that can help them improve their Korean proficiency before arrival. Please refer to our webpage on program eligibility requirements for more information.

As long as you graduated from high school in the past 365 days, you should be good to go! If you are still unsure whether you are eligible, please contact us so we can help you!

Yes! The SPARKS program is open to students from all over the world who meet our eligibility requirements.

Probably not - but you should check. Most participants will be able to complete the SPARKS Program on a tourist visa. However, as of October 15, 2023 ALL visitors to Korea, regardless of nationality, must apply for and receive Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before embarking on their trip to Korea. Please note that the K-ETA application fee of 10,000 KRW is not included in the SPARKS tuition and fees. As of October 17, 2023, citizens of the following countries can get a 90-day tourist visa on arrival: EU Member States Non-EU Member States Students from the countries not included on this list may need to get a tourist or student visa to enter Korea. Please reach out to your local Korean consulate or embassy for details.

Probably not! You can choose which passport you want to enter Korea with, but we recommend using one that confers you with a visa on arrival if possible. Please note that if you are a Korean citizen, you must enter Korea on your ROK passport.

We will not stop students from bringing cash in their home country’s currency into Korea, but we advise students and parents against bringing or sending large amounts of cash (more than $100) into Korea. There is a risk of the cash being lost or stolen without recompense, and the hassle of exchanging it is likely to outweigh any savings achieved through waiting until after arrival in Korea rather than purchasing Korean won in your home country. We instead encourage students to bring a credit or debit card that can be used in Korea and which features low international transaction fees and optimal exchange rates. As a Korea-based business, we are unable to endorse or provide information about specific financial institutions abroad. We encourage applicants and their families to decide for themselves which banking option is best for them. Please use this link to find the most up-to-date exchange rate between Korean Won (KRW) and your home country’s currency. Please note that as of October 17, 2023, the Korean Customs Service requires that anyone who “[enters] the country with foreign currency, KRW notes, or checks above USD 10,000 or the equivalent in total… must report it to the Customs. The same goes for cashier's checks in Korean won.” There is no need to report or authorize the importation of promissory notes, letters of credit, or bills of exchange. Note: Due to recent changes in Korean economic policy towards Russia, students who need to transfer or exchange Russian Rubles (RUB) into Korean Won (KRW) may need to do some extra research to understand their options for sending and receiving money from abroad while in Korea. SPARKS recommends that Russian or Russia-based students reach out to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Seoul for up-to-date information.

Because accommodations, two meals per day, classes, books, and tuition are included in our program fees, students should only need to bring spending money to cover lunch, souvenirs, and incidental expenses. For most students, between 50 and 100 USD per week should be sufficient, but this may vary depending on things like dietary restrictions and preferences, spending habits, etc. Please refer to the Korean cost of living index to create a budget to determine how much spending money you will need during your time in Seoul.

The SPARKS team encourages students and their families to purchase airline tickets from a reputable source as soon as possible. We ask that all participants submit copies of their airline tickets to us two weeks before the program start date. Please note that SPARKS does not allow late arrivals or early departures. To ensure a safe, equitable, and immersive experience for all participants, students must arrive at Incheon International Airport no later than the official program start date. Please refer to the SPARKS 2024 Terms and Conditions for more information. Air travel between the student’s home country and Korea is not included in the SPARKS Summer Program tuition and fees.

First, please visit the website of the Korean embassy in your country to determine whether you need a tourist or student visa at all. If you determine that you do need a tourist (C-3-9) or student visa (D-4), please reach out to a SPARKS staff member and your local Korean consulate or embassy as soon as possible. We recommend that students who need a visa apply for one a minimum of four weeks prior to departure. Students from some countries may need more time to allow for their visas to be processed. Please note that students’ visa application fees and related expenses are not included in the SPARKS tuition and fees. Note: As of October 15, 2023 ALL visitors to Korea, regardless of nationality, must apply for and receive Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before embarking on their trip to Korea. Please note that the K-ETA application fee of 10,000 KRW is not included in the SPARKS tuition and fees.

Electing to participate in a high school study abroad program is a big decision for the entire family - students, parents, siblings, and other relatives alike. Please note that SPARKS requires at least one parent or legal guardian to attest to their student’s readiness to participate in the program and that all parent(s) or guardian(s) with full or partial custody over the student give written permission for their child to participate. To determine whether SPARKS is right for you and your family, please set up a call with Director Sarah Mack at the following link. Set up a Meeting: Click Here Director Sarah came to Korea at 15 while still in high school and had to have this conversation with her own family long ago, so she loves to answer people's questions regarding high school study abroad. When she was 16, she even made a video regarding this very subject, which you can watch below!

We have not yet released our 2025 tuition and fees, but expect to do so in late 2024 or early 2025. Please refer to our tuition and fees page for more information.

No. We are currently only able to accept payments in US Dollars (USD) or Korean Won (KRW).

Yes! SPARKS allows participants and/or their sponsors to submit payments in installments with prior approval. Please contact us to learn more about payment plans and other methods of payment we have available!

The SPARKS program fee provides all students with the following: Pre-arrival information sessions, orientation, and educational materials. Airport pickup and dropoff services. Tuition, fees and study materials at Seoul National University for 120 hours (6 academic credits) of Korean language instruction. Fully-furnished accommodations throughout the duration of the programs. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day throughout the program. A SIM card with unlimited data. Health insurance through our provider. Weekly study trips to locations where students learn about Korean history and culture. Reimbursement for participation in optional Independent Exploration activities. Weekly culture classes designed to increase immersion in Korean culture. Weekly round-table discussions with experts, professionals and personnel that help deepen students’ knowledge of Korean culture and history. Participation in the undergraduate mentor program. A weekly newsletter sent out to parents and guardians of program participants. Training on what to do in case of emergency. Completion certificates and transcripts from Seoul National University.

The SPARKS program fee does not cover the following expenses: Transportation from the student’s home country to Seoul. Fees incurred in the process of obtaining a passport or visa. Pocket money. Replacements for lost phones, IDs, or study materials.

Students will take Korean language courses at Seoul National University, the #1 university in the country. The SNU Korean Language Education Center worked with SPARKS to create a custom program that would best suit the needs of our students, and we are very excited to share it with you!

Students must attend class unless there are extenuating circumstances such as illness or emergency. Students who fail to attend at least 80% of their classes will automatically receive a failing grade. This is a Korean university policy, not a SPARKS policy.

Each class will have no fewer than six and no more than fourteen students. Class sizes will depend on 2025 program participation and Korean language levels.

The books are still under development by Seoul National University. We will post more information about them here when they are ready.

Seoul National University gives students six college credits for their SPARKS classwork. After receiving your transcripts from Seoul National University, you may be able to use your SPARKS coursework to fulfill foreign language coursework requirements or earn credit towards a high school diploma or college degree. SPARKS will supply you with the certificate of completion and transcripts, but participants are responsible for determining on their own whether their SPARKS program completion makes them eligible for high school or university transfer credit. Please note that the decision to award college credit differs by institution and may be contingent upon grades, attendance, syllabus contents, or other factors.

1. We have been in your shoes. Unlike other programs that are typically administered by lifelong Korean citizens, the team at Skudy (the parent company of the SPARKS program) intimately understands what it is like to be an international student in Korea. Just like you, we had to convince our families that studying in Korea wasn’t a completely crazy idea. We had to mine blog and forum posts from 2007 to get answers to our random questions. We had to muster the courage to get on the plane and figure out life in Korea - a land that was once completely foreign to us - all by ourselves! Don’t believe us? Check out SPARKS Director Sarah Mack’s YouTube channel, established in 2013. We remember and empathize with the struggles that new arrivals face when they come to Korea, and we know that it isn’t easy! However, we love this country, and want you to love it too. So we are using everything that we have learned over our years in Korea to create the best possible experience for you. 2. The SPARKS Program is open to students from all over the world. With SPARKS, you won’t just get to learn about Korean culture. You’ll make friends with fellow cohort members from all over the world! Many programs in Korea limit applicants to citizens of specific countries or regions, or those who belong to a particular demographic, but SPARKS welcomes applicants from every corner of the globe. 3. Balance between supervision and independence The SPARKS Team takes the responsibility of ensuring all participants’ safety very seriously, so staff members do provide age-appropriate levels of supervision and support to students during the program. However, we also allow a certain degree of freedom; students who meet certain conditions are permitted to explore Seoul on their own or with their undergraduate Korean mentor as long as they inform program staff of their whereabouts, do not miss any mandatory SPARKS programming, and report back to the residence hall by curfew.

Yes! Students who complete the program in accordance with academic and attendance guidelines will be issued a certificate of completion from both Seoul National University and SPARKS at graduation.

Yes! SPARKS is a great way to familiarize yourself with Korean culture and learn more about the Korean education system so you can decide whether Korean university life is right for you. As a SPARKS graduate, you receive free access to individualized consulting services from the Skudy team, who will assist you in selecting and applying to up to three Korean universities within a year of completing SPARKS.

We plan to accept approximately 20 to 25 students in the SPARKS 2025 application cycle.

Yes! Each participant is paired with a Korean undergraduate student who can provide Korean language tutoring and homework help and accompany them to Independent Exploration sites or other destinations in Seoul.

Below are some hypothetical examples you can use to imagine your days - no two students are alike, so feel free to fill in your own details! Monday 7:00 AM - Wake up and get ready alongside roommate 8:00 AM - Breakfast at the residence hall 8:30 AM - Depart from residence hall on foot 8:40 AM - Pick up a banana milk from a convenience store and sip it on the way to class 8:50 AM - Arrive at SNU and say hi to SPARKS staff 9:00 AM - Begin Korean language classes for the day 1:00 PM - Leave Korean language school and grab lunch with classmates at the cafeteria 2:00 PM - Shop for souvenirs at Coex Mall 3:00 PM - Take a stroll through Seolleung Park, submit photo of tickets to SPARKS for reimbursement 4:00 PM - Ride the subway back to the residence hall 5:00 PM - Finish Korean homework, text with undergraduate Korean mentor 6:00 PM - Eat dinner and watch/discuss a movie with cohort members. Think about how the contents relate to Seolleung Park, lessons etc. 8:00 PM - Study a little more 9:00 PM - Quick Facetime with mom before bed 9:30 PM - Bedtime Wednesday 7:15 AM - Wake up and flip some vocab flashcards over breakfast 8:00 AM - Chat with classmates on the shuttle bus to school 8:40 AM - Arrive at SNU and grab an iced latte before class 9:00 AM - Take a vocabulary quiz, then take a break until 10 AM 11:00 AM - Speaking class with Teacher Ahn, your favorite! 12:45 PM - Finish class early and head to the SNU cafeteria 1:30 PM - Review taeguk 1-jang form with classmates on the way to taekwondo 2:00 PM - Start taekwondo class 4:30 PM - Finish up taekwondo class and walk back to the residence hall 5:00 PM - One-on-one check-in with program staff member 5:15 PM - Study with friends before dinner 6:00 PM - Dinner with classmates. Tonight it's kalguksu (knife-cut noodles)! 7:00 PM - Chat with staff about this weekend's activity - a palace tour! 7:30 PM - Watch two episodes of Reply 1988 in the dorm with roommate 9:15 PM - Send some pictures to the family group chat before bed Saturday 9:00 - Sleep in a little bit and braid hair for today's activity 9:30 - Grab some kimbap from the Emart24 for breakfast 10:30 - Arrive at Changdeokgung palace for a tour of Joseon architecture 10:45 - Change into hanbok and meet up with Skudy Buddy to go inside 11:00 - Take pictures with friends and Skudy Buddies at the palace 1:00 - Meet up outside and head to a local restaurant for Korean royal cuisine 1:15 - Eat lunch while listening to a Korean expert explain each dish 2:30 - Take some friends to Kyobo bookstore and flip through the Korean version of Harry Potter - You're able to understand more than you thought! 4:00 - Head to a coin noraebang (Korean karaoke), where you sing along to your favorite K-pop songs. 6:00 - Take the bus back to the residence hall 7:00 - Order Korean fried chicken for dinner and eat it with friends on the patio 9:30 - Head back inside the residence hall before 10:00 PM curfew 10:30 - Review the schedule for next week's module (Korea 1910-1945) and text with sister before going to bed

Please view the 2024 itinerary page at this link. Please note that we are still working on the 2025 itinerary and will release it as soon as we can! Contact us to get on a mailing list so we can let you know this information as soon as we have it.

All SPARKS full-time staff members are required to have native or near-native proficiency in English. All undergraduate mentors are required to speak English at a conversational level. Your Korean teachers and culture class teachers may have varying levels of English proficiency. Talking with your teachers in Korean is a great way to boost your language skills! However, if you need extra help to communicate with a program affiliate in Korean, please reach out to a SPARKS staff member and we can help you!

Yes - within reason! In fact, SPARKS program participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in Korean culture beyond mandatory SPARKS programming through Independent Exploration. Students can take part in Independent Exploration alongside their Korean mentor, a staff member, with fellow students, or on their own. These carefully-selected sites, museums, experiences, and activities are intended to further students’ learning throughout each module of the program. While optional, all Independent Exploration activities are covered by SPARKS through reimbursement, and students can petition to have a destination or activity not in the Independent Exploration list considered for reimbursement. SPARKS program participants may explore Seoul on their own and/or with fellow cohort members, under the following conditions: They must let a SPARKS staff member know where they are going and how long they will be there. They must keep their mobile phones charged so SPARKS staff and students can get in touch with each other in the case of an emergency. They must not leave Seoul. They must not visit any establishments from which students are prohibited entry according to Korean law or the SPARKS Summer Program Terms and Conditions. They must arrive back at the residence hall before curfew. If a student’s activities outside the program are deemed to interfere with their health, well-being or academics, or if the activities are found to violate the SPARKS Program Terms and Conditions, the student may temporarily or permanently lose independent exploration privileges.

All students will complete 120 hours of Korean language instruction at Seoul National University. Korean language proficiency gains will vary based on factors like: The student’s level of Korean proficiency before participating in the program The student’s study habits, methods, and attendance How much the student practices Korean outside of class The student’s health and wellness throughout the program The material covered in 120 hours corresponds with roughly one year of university instruction or two semesters of college-level Korean language courses with between three and six contact hours per week. By the end of the program, students who arrive with no prior knowledge of Korean and dedicate appropriate time and effort to their coursework should be able to: Read and write the Korean alphabet (Hangul) with little to no difficulty. Order food and purchase items at local stores. Share and ask for personal information. Describe activities, preferences, and immediate needs. Respond to direct questions or requests for information. To determine your current Korean proficiency level, please refer to this link.* *Please note that this quiz is for entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for an official Seoul National University placement test or a TOPIK certificate.

No, unless it is part of the SPARKS curriculum. SPARKS follows a rigorous curriculum, equivalent to a full load of college-level coursework. Our program’s intensive academics and cultural immersion are central to its design, so students’ full attention and participation are required throughout their stay. For this reason, we ask that students not take on any other major commitments for the duration of the program. This includes paid and unpaid internships or work, high school or college coursework, or any other significant extracurricular activities. Remember - this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Internships and courses will always be waiting for you at home, but you will only be in Seoul for the first time once. Let yourself enjoy it! Please also note that Korean immigration law prohibits foreigners in Korea with short-term tourist or student visas from engaging in work activities in almost all cases. This includes telework resulting in payment to an overseas bank account. If you have specific concerns or questions about managing other commitments while participating in SPARKS, please contact us. Note: Students who want to do an internship during SPARKS 2025 may be able to do so as part of the SPARKS curriculum - please contact us and inform us what field(s) you would be interested in and we will try to put something together for you.

Yes! The only thing better than making memories during the summer of a lifetime in Seoul is doing it with a friend. You’ll even get a discount! Students can indicate that they are applying as a pair or group on their applications. Please note that applying as a pair does not guarantee admission to the SPARKS program. For student groups of three or more, please reach out to a SPARKS representative before applying.

No. Since SPARKS is geared towards beginners and intermediate students of Korean, we do not enforce a language pledge. While SPARKS students are not required to use Korean at all times, they are encouraged to practice speaking with staff members and with each other.

Skudy (the parent company of the SPARKS program) is not legally required to follow guidelines such as HIPAA or the GDPR due to our status as a Korean company. However, our team still strives to follow the spirit of these laws and protect participants’ personal information to the best of our ability. Please note that Korea has its own legal framework to protect personal information, such as the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

Yes! As long as you still meet all the eligibility requirements, you can participate as many times as you like. Please note that program offerings and availability may vary from year to year due to factors outside of SPARKS' control.

It depends. Timely arrival and attendance at some elements of the SPARKS program, such as Korean language courses, orientation, weekend group travel, and undergraduate mentor tutoring sessions, are mandatory (barring illness or other unforeseen circumstances) for all students to maintain their status as SPARKS program participants. Participation in some activities, such as movie screenings and designated Independent Exploration site tours, is optional but strongly encouraged. Please refer to the SPARKS Terms and Conditions for more information.

Not during the program. SPARKS is an enriching and intensive academic experience and requires the full focus and participation of all students enrolled in the program. To avoid disruption to the students’ immersion, academics, and integration into the program, we kindly ask that family members and friends from outside SPARKS refrain from visiting students during the program. If families want to travel in Korea with their student before or after the program dates, they are welcome to do so. Please refer to the SPARKS Terms and Conditions for more information.

No. SPARKS program participants attend 20 hours of intensive Korean language instruction per week, or four hours per day. Missing a single day of class is equivalent to missing a week or more of instruction at a regular high school or college, so we cannot allow student absences except for illness or emergency. If a student leaves Korea without prior approval, they will be considered to have abandoned their SPARKS student status. They will not be permitted to receive a completion certificate, participate in SPARKS program coursework or activities, enter the residence hall, or apply for a refund. Exceptions may be made in the case of a true emergency, and will be evaluated by the SPARKS team on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to the SPARKS Terms and Conditions for more information.

No. The age of majority in Korea is 19, so it is illegal for SPARKS Summer Program participants (aged 14-18) to enter adult establishments. Any students found to have entered adult establishments while on program will be dismissed from the program and sent home at their own expense. Please see the SPARKS Terms and Conditions for more information.

SPARKS does not require specific vaccinations, but participants may need to prove vaccination status to gain entry into Korea. While SPARKS does not require any immunizations as a condition of participating in the program, participants are encouraged to refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine recommendations for travelers to South Korea (Link).

SPARKS reserves the right to terminate a student’s participation in the 2025 Summer Program without a refund if they fail to comply with the SPARKS Terms and Conditions.

No. To ensure a safe, equitable and consistent experience for all SPARKS students, we require all participants to arrive in Seoul by the program's start date and stay with the cohort until the program’s end. If a participant needs to leave the program due to an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance, they may do so at their own expense.

As a program geared towards high school students aged 14 to 18, SPARKS provides students with age-appropriate levels of supervision and independence. While students are permitted to explore Seoul with peers or Study Buddies during times where there are no mandatory activities, they must return to the residence hall by 9:00 PM on school nights (Sunday through Thursday) and 10:00 PM on weekends (Friday and Saturday). Students are not permitted to stay overnight outside the residence hall under any circumstances. Students may not leave Seoul for non-SPARKS activities without prior approval. Please refer to the SPARKS Terms and Conditions for more information.

No. We have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, illegal drugs, or any other form of substance abuse during the program. The Korean age of majority is 19, so it is illegal for SPARKS Program participants (aged 14-18) to purchase or consume alcohol or other substances while in Korea. Any students found to have purchased, consumed, distributed, or sold alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia will be dismissed from the program and sent home at their own expense. Please see the SPARKS Program Terms and Conditions for more information.

Direct Communication with the Student We understand the importance of parents staying connected with their children, especially when they are in a new environment. While our students have a packed schedule and there may be time zone differences, we recommend at least one 15-minute call between students and legal guardians per week. However, to ensure students get the most out of their experience without excessive disruptions, we suggest limiting calls to no more than one 30-minute session per day. Tracking Tools For added peace of mind, parents can utilize tools like Life360 to monitor their students' locations. These applications allow guardians to be aware of their child's whereabouts and ensure their safety throughout the program's duration. Weekly Newsletter To keep parents in the loop about the various activities their children are partaking in, we provide a weekly newsletter. This comprehensive update describes all program activities, ensuring parents feel connected and informed. Additionally, the newsletter will feature photos and other relevant content, offering a visual insight into the students' experiences. Designated SPARKS Parent Liaison Recognizing the need for a direct point of contact, we have a designated SPARKS parent liaison available during business hours. This liaison serves as a bridge between the program and the parents, addressing any concerns or queries they might have about their child's activities and well-being. Email Communication If parents have specific questions or concerns outside of the resources provided, they are welcome to reach out to us directly via email. Our team is always here to ensure that both students and parents have a smooth and reassuring experience during SPARKS.

Of course! We welcome parents to send students care packages containing snacks, cards, or other items. SPARKS Director Sarah Mack adores receiving mail from her family abroad - it makes her feel loved and cared for when she is far away, so she hopes that students can experience this as well! We only ask that anyone who wishes to send students a care package be mindful of Korean customs regulations, which they can confirm by visiting this website: https://www.customs.go.kr/english/main.do

To ensure smooth integration into the program, we recommend that parents allow their child to travel from their home country to Korea on their own. However, some parents may elect to travel to a gateway city in their country or continent (eg. SFO in the United States or FRA in Europe) to see that their child gets on a one-way flight to Korea. Airport pickup is included in our program fee, so a SPARKS staff member will be on the other side waiting to pick them up from the airport, and we will keep track of each student's flight and help them navigate any challenges they may face along the way. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to reach out to us.

Students will be very busy throughout the short six-week program, so we strongly recommend against visits from family or friends during SPARKS. If family members would like to travel throughout Korea with their child after the program is complete, they are more than welcome to!

For security and safety reasons, individuals who are not SPARKS students or staff members may not stay in the residence hall under any circumstances.

If a SPARKS student needs medical attention, a trained staff member will accompany him or her to all medical appointments to provide translation, assistance, and support where necessary. Medical fees will be processed through our insurance provider and the relevant medical information of students under 18 will be communicated to parents as soon as possible.

To ensure that on-the-ground program staff can focus on providing students with the best experience possible, SPARKS will mainly communicate with parents through a parent liaison. However, direct communication with our program director Sarah Mack can be arranged upon request.

Students are required to attend a one-on-one meeting with a staff member every week at a designated time. During these meetings, students are encouraged to discuss any challenges they are facing as program participants, be they academic, cultural, physical, social, or anything else. One or more SPARKS staff members maintain a daily presence on campus, accompany students on field trips and other excursions, and are available to students at their residence hall overnight throughout the duration of the program. Students experiencing difficulties of any kind are encouraged to approach staff members and request advice or assistance. Outside program activities, students can contact program staff via phone, email, Kakao Talk, or WhatsApp 24/7. Non-emergency communications received will receive a response during business hours (8AM to 8 PM). In case of emergency, students may dial the emergency phone number to connect with an on-duty staff member 24/7. Once contacted, the staff member will provide guidance regarding how to respond to the emergency and/or go to the student’s location if needed.

Yes! According to many sources such as Numbeo, TravelSafe, MacroTrends, TravelLadies, and Nomadher, Seoul and Korea in general is very safe for residents, tourists, and students. Compared to major cities in North America and Europe, Seoul boasts very low levels of crime, and susceptibility to earthquakes and other natural disasters is low.

We understand that some SPARKS participants and their guardians may be concerned about threats from North Korea. However, the reality on the ground is that very few Seoulites are concerned about North Korean provocations. SPARKS Director Sarah Mack’s experience in Jeonju inspired her to spend eight years researching North Korea and inter-Korean relations before pivoting into international education, so she is willing and able to analyze and explain any North Korean government behavior to concerned parents or students. In the extremely unlikely event that such a provocation or other event were to occur, SPARKS has an emergency plan in place to ensure that all program participants are safe and accounted for. Students will learn what to do in an emergency through asynchronous online education modules that must be completed prior to the start of the program, and review emergency procedures at orientation after their arrival. All students will be required to sign up for Aerogami, a service which gives students access to emergency services, telecommunications, and location-sharing functionalities in the case of an emergency.