Today’s college students are highly influenced by the “Korean wave” in popular culture including music, video, food, and herbal products based on traditional Korean medicine.

Through the embedded travel program, students will increase their global awareness as they experience the plants, people, and places of South Korea from ancient villages to UNESCO sites, museums, and modern cities.  

Relating the core content of the SC 120N course and the objectives of the embedded travel program:

• In class, students learn that the domestication of rice provided the foundation for the growth of Asian civilizations. During the international experience, students explore how rice has been cultivated sustainably in Korea for millennia and they will participate in the preparation of bibimbop and other traditional plant-based cuisine such as kimchi.
• In class, students learn that the ancient Silk Routes facilitated cultural and economic exchange. When the students visit Gyeongju, they will explore how Buddhism was introduced to South Korea via the Silk Road and they will visit a UNESCO heritage site showcasing ancient sculptures of Buddha. At the Yangdong folk village, students first identify five Confucian principles that are central to the personal life and business practices of Koreans and then they will observe how Confucian values about the interaction between humans and nature guided the design of the village.
• In class, students learn about practical and economic uses of plants across cultures. During the international experience, students will see how Korean rice wine is made, how trees and sap are used to make hanji paper, historically one of Korea’s most valued commodities, how specific plants such as ginseng and gingko are used in Hanbang (traditional Korean medicine), and how tea and tisanes are important in Korean culture
• In class, students learn how development of natural areas is decreasing biodiversity and affecting the sustainability of native plants and ecosystems. The excursion to the DMZ during the international experience allows the students to observe one of the few “rewilded” zones in the world where plants and animals have been able to recolonize an area without interference from humans. 
• Students will identify how South Korean government is investing in pop culture particularly in Busan, a major 21st century Maritime Silk Road port, with the goal of increasing South Korea’s soft power so they can be the leading exporter of global culture

Students will be participating in online and in-person discussion forums during the trip as well as journaling reflections using specific prompts based on each day’s theme. 
Over the course of the semester, students in SC120N research one plant that has been fundamental to human civilization. They are tasked with developing a presentation and an active learning exercise for peer-to- peer learning in the classroom. Students participating in the international experience will create their project about a plant (such as rice or tea) that is intrinsic to South Korean culture.

Dates     

March 1 - 8, 2024

Please note: The first in-country date is March 1, however, the group flight departs the United States on February 29.

Program Quicklinks     

Eligibility

• This program is open to all majors at all Penn State campuses.
• Admission in the course and permission to travel with the group are at the discretion of the faculty leader and/or academic department hosting the course. Academic standing and disciplinary or conduct issues may impact eligibility.

Housing and Meals

During the embedded travel component, housing will consist of hotel/hostel accommodations.

Program Costs