This two-semester program is geared towards students who want to have an international experience early in their academic career.
Students will spend their first semester at the University of Utah's home base in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Student's second semester is spent abroad at the Utah Asia Campus in Incheon, South Korea.
*Please note that freshmen are not permitted to participate on any Learning Abroad program within
their first two semesters at the U unless they are part of Global Quest or Honors Korea.
WHY GLOBAL QUEST?
The Quest program offers first-year U students a seamless transition to the university setting. Students enjoy the comfort and support of their small Quest cohort, and have a dedicated faculty member to assist them during their first year. Each Quest class includes an introduction to the resources available to help students successfully navigate campus life and their academic pursuits.
Global experience improves intercultural understanding, adaptability, self-awareness, and confidence. Studies show that experiences abroad also
- raise a student’s GPA,
- increase success in graduating, and
- help students stand out to future employers.
All students who enroll in the Global Quest course in Fall 2025 should apply for a passport no later than September 15, 2025 if they do not already have a passport.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will be enrolled in one of the following courses.
- Quest 1120 Exploring Philosophies of Self: Decision Making in Uncertain Times
Sec 008 MWF 11:50 -12:40 - Quest 1130 Exploring Philosophies of Self: Rethinking Creativity in the Age of AI
Sec 007 MWF 10:45-11:35
The course description for both classes can be found here.
SLC Campus
Students can take either
QUEST 1120 (3 credits): Fulfills the Behavioral Science (BF) and Diversity (DV) general education requirements
OR
QUEST 1130 (3 credits): Fulfills the Humanities (HF) and Diversity (DV) general education requirements
Please note that there are multiple sections of QUEST 1120 and QUEST 1130. Students must be enrolled in the correct section (008 and 007, respectively) to ensure that they're in the Global Quest cohort, and therefore eligible to attend the U Asia Campus the following Spring semester.
U Asia Campus
Students will take the remaining Quest course (QUEST 1120 or QUEST 1130) with our Quest faculty in South Korea. Students will also earn the International (IR) general education requirement for attending the U Asia Campus.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“The Global program made such a good call by requiring a course before heading to the U Asia Campus. We learned about South Korea's history and prepared for many of the differences in culture, language, and beliefs compared to the U.S.
While the U Asia Campus may be tiny compared to the Salt Lake City campus, the atmosphere here is amazing with such amazing faculty and students. The International Student Diplomats are saviors in helping international students find their way around campus, the city, and overall questions about Korean life.
[This program] really attempted to showcase everything about Korea—at least everything they could fit into a semester-length course. It really helped me to not be hit so hard by culture shock and helped me adjust to a Korean lifestyle faster.”
- Jesus Juan-Pacheco, Academic Year 2022-2023 participant
FACULTY
PROGRAM COSTS
The tuition price for the Spring semester at the U Asia Campus is a fixed rate of $5,000 (covering 12-17 credits). Non-resident students pay the same as Utah residents for the semester at the U Asia Campus. Even with the added cost of a flight to South Korea, the Spring semester is comparable in price to a Spring semester at the SLC campus, given the low cost of housing and food in South Korea.
FALL 2024 (U Main Campus) PROGRAM COSTS
Based on 12 credit hours for Fall and 12 credit hours for Spring as listed on the Income Accounting website
| TUITION & FEES | Resident | Non-resident |
| Tuition & Fees | $4,485.13 | $14,326.79 |
| ROOM & BOARD | Resident | Non-resident |
| Housing & Meals | $6,228.00* | $6,228.00* |
*Review the following website for a complete breakdown of costs
SPRING 2025 (U Asia Campus) PROGRAM COSTS
| TUITION & FEES | Resident | Non-resident |
| Tuition & Fees | $5,100 | $5,100* |
*Non-resident students pay resident tuition for the semester at the U Asia Campus
| ROOM & BOARD | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
| Housing | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| OTHER ESTIMATED EXPENSES | (All costs below are estimates) |
| Passport (if student does not already have a passport) | $165 |
| Visa Application Fee | $45 |
| Flight to Korea | $1500 |
| In-country Transportation | $200 |
| Immunizations/Medical Visit* | $75 |
| Korean National Health Insurance (4 months) | $350 |
| Books & Supplies | $200-500 |
| Meals (no meal plan available) | $2,000 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 |
| Emergency Fund** | $1000 |
| Alien Registration Card | $30 |
| Korean SIM card | $55 |
*Actual amount will vary based on immunization history
**Recommended funds in the event of unforeseen situations
TIMELINE
AUG |
18th | Classes begin at the Salt Lake City Campus |
SEP |
15th | Apply for passport or submit passport renewal (if needed) |
OCT |
1st
TBD 25th |
Deadline for Learning Abroad scholarships
Deadline for Gilman Scholarship (students must be PELL Grant eligible) Deadline to cancel on-campus housing contract with Housing & Residential Education for Spring 2026 |
NOV |
1st
18th TBD 30th |
Learning Abroad Global Quest application deadline
U Asia Campus course registration opens Global Quest Pre-Departure Orientation Deadline for The Korea Society Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Grant |
DEC |
12th
|
Salt Lake City Campus classes end
Move out of on-campus housing Arrange January Winter Break pre-travel housing* *most students will go home for this period |
JAN |
Global Quest Winter Break
Apply for visa in late December or early January Apply for on-campus housing at the U Asia Campus Pack & prepare for travel |
|
FEB |
TBD
TBD 23rd |
Arrive at U Asia Campus
New Student Orientation and International Student Orientation Classes begin at U Asia Campus |
MAR |
13th | U Asia Campus tuition payment due |
APR |
Fall course registration for Salt Lake City campus
Apply for on-campus housing AY 2024-25 |
|
JUN |
11th | U Asia Campus semester ends |
FAQs
Students can find more information at the following links:
-
- U Asia Campus Global Quest program brochure
- U Asia Campus YouTube
- U Asia Campus Instagram
- U Asia Campus Website
Most University of Utah scholarships can be used at the U Asia Campus. Contact Sarah Nguyen at s.nguyen@utah.edu if you have questions about applying your scholarships.
Students who are interested in enrolling in the Global Quest course, but are concerned about covering potential costs related to the experience in South Korea, should not let this keep them from applying. There are multiple resources and options at the U to cover these costs and we will work with students individually to ensure they are able to participate regardless of their financial need.
Yes! Here are some scholarships that we encourage students to consider applying for*:
- Learning Abroad Scholarships
- Gilman Scholarship
- Fund for Education Abroad
- The Korea Society Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Grant
We also recommend that students check the University of Utah scholarship database.
* Students should check the deadline and eligibility requirements for each scholarship.
You must be in good academic standing with the University and have a 2.5 or higher GPA during your semester taking Global Quest in Salt Lake City. You must have a 70% or better in your Global Quest course at the time of the application deadline. Additionally, you will need to complete all parts of your Learning Abroad Global Quest application by the required deadlines.
No! The U Asia Campus is an English-speaking campus. All courses, with the exception of language courses, are taught in English.
In general, South Korea is a very English-friendly country. Stops on public transportation are typically announced in both Korean and English, most street signs are in both Korean and English, many restaurants have English menus, etc. Although we encourage all students who attend the U Asia Campus to learn a few basic phrases in Korean such as hello and thank you, many of our students from the SLC campus find it easy to live and learn in South Korea without any previous Korean language knowledge.
Korean language courses are offered at both the SLC campus and the U Asia Campus for any students who wish to enroll in them.
You will receive a comprehensive pre-departure orientation coordinated by the Office for Global Engagement and the U Asia Campus during your semester in Salt Lake City. This will cover everything from applying for a Korean visa to how to get from the Incheon Airport to the U Asia Campus.
When you arrive in Korea, you will participate in both ISO (International Student Orientation) as well as NSO (New Student Orientation) to familiarize yourself with the U Asia Campus facilities and resources.
Yes, non-resident students can continue to work towards residency while studying at the U Asia Campus with the Global Quest program.
Please note that students are responsible for remaining in compliance with the limited out-of-state days during their extended winter break or summer break before their orientation begins at the U Asia Campus prior to the start of the semester. For residency questions contact the Admissions Office at residency@utah.edu
All students, including Global Quest participants, who plan to live on-campus must reserve housing for the full academic year. Once you are sure you will be going to South Korea, please notify the Housing Office that you will withdraw from on-campus housing for a semester. Please note that the deadline for withdrawal from spring semester is usually in late October, so don’t delay this step once your plans are confirmed.
For students planning on going to the U Asia Campus for spring semester:
The move-out date in the fall semester is mid-December, so Global Quest students will need to arrange off-campus housing for the time in between the semesters from mid-December – early February. You may choose to stay in the Salt Lake area, travel, or go home, depending on your unique situation. If you plan to request on-campus housing for the following academic year, you must complete an application through Housing; applications will open in early February, so you may apply while still in the US or any time before the deadline while in Korea, depending on your travel plans. If you are an out-of-state student working towards residency, please be sure to work with the Residency Office regarding your extended winter break plans to ensure you are in compliance with all rules and requirements.
On-campus housing consists of single and double-occupancy rooms (approximately $1,000 and $1,500 per semester, respectively), which are furnished with one twin bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe per occupant. A comprehensive list of what is and isn't provided can be found here. Each room also has one private bathroom. Each resident has access to a kitchen on their own or an adjacent floor. Cooking space is limited to two small burners, one microwave, and a sink; cooking equipment is not provided.
Click here for a virtual tour of the housing facilities at the U Asia Campus.
There is an on-campus cafeteria open Monday-Friday, but it is closed on the weekends. All meals are pay-as-you-go, as there is no meal plan at the U Asia Campus. There are a few other restaurants and cafes on campus, as well as a convenience store that is open 24/7. Grocery stores and a multitude of other food establishments are within a short walking distance from campus.
We will provide a recommended group flight from the SLC Airport to the Incheon Airport so that Global Quest students may fly together.
However, students are ultimately responsible for arranging their own travel to the U Asia Campus. Incheon International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and is easy to fly into from multiple locations. Please work with the U Asia Campus Program Coordinator if you need assistance making travel plans.
Information on how to get from the airport to the U Asia Campus will be covered during pre-departure orientation. You can also watch this video for visual directions.
Yes! Students may attend the U Asia Campus for up to 6 semesters. Students interested in staying at the U Asia Campus for more than one semester are encouraged to discuss this with both the U Asia Campus Program Coordinator (Sarah Nguyen, s.nguyen@utah.edu) and their academic advisor.
Not all majors are offered at the U Asia Campus; some students may not be able to remain on track for graduation if they stay at the U Asia Campus for more than 1 semester.
If, while participating in Global Quest, you find you are unable or ineligible to travel to Korea for a semester, please let your Quest course instructor and the U Asia Campus Program Coordinator know. Students will not be penalized for not attending the U Asia Campus.
Students can also opt to attend the U Asia Campus for a future semester if the semester following their Global Quest class in Salt Lake City does not work. Please coordinate with your academic advisor to determine a course of study that supports your goals.