This two-semester program is geared to students who want to
have an early international experience in their education.
The first semester addresses global issues from The U’s homebase in Salt Lake City, Utah; the second semester is spent abroad at the
University of Utah Asia Campus in Incheon, South Korea.
WHY GLOBAL LEAP?
LEAP programs offer first-year U students a seamless transition to the university setting. Students enjoy the comfort and support of their small LEAP cohort, and have a dedicated faculty member and peer advisors to assist them during their first year. Each LEAP 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 LEAP course in Fall 2024 and who do not have a valid passport will receive funds for covering the costs of getting one.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course inspires students to think as global citizens by learning about the economic development, history, and social norms of South Korea. In addition, there is discussion on the historical and current experience of Korean-Americans in the US.
HONORS students can count LEAP 1100 towards an Honors core in Intellectual Traditions if they receive an A or A- grade.
- Class Number: GC2575
- Instructor: LARSEN, R. - View Feedback
- Component: Seminar
- Type: In Person
- Tues/Thurs from 9:10 - 10:30 in BUC 301
This course builds on humanities concepts learned in LEAP 1160 by expanding our exploration of global social justice issues through a fine arts lens while remaining focused on the Korean peninsula. In LEAP 1160 we will analyze art in all its forms as a medium for both political resistance and marginalization while focusing on how Koreans have used art (poetry, film, and the fine arts) to express such issues as war, sex trafficking, militarization, and colonialism. As an interdisciplinary project-based course, this class emphasizes a curriculum based on artistic and verbal modes of consciousness-raising, social action, and radical activism. This course meets the requirements for the Fine Arts Exploration. LEAP 1160 does not satisfy the IR designation, but students still receive IR credits by participating in the international experience in Korea.
Students will work with their academic advisors to select courses that meet general education and major requirements. Meeting with an academic advisor to plan course selection is strongly encouraged.
Fall – SLC Campus
LEAP 1120 Global LEAP Korea (3 credits): Fulfills the Humanities (HF) and Diversity (DV) general education requirements.
We recommend completing Writing 2010 and your Quantitative Reasoning (QA) general education requirements in the fall semester
Spring – U Asia Campus
LEAP 1160 Global Citizenship (3 credits): Fulfills the Humanities Exploration (HF). and International (IR) general education requirements.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“The Global LEAP 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.
Global LEAP 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.”
FACULTY
Dr. Rebecca Larsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Rebecca Larsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor (Lecturer) in Undergraduate Studies at the University of Utah, is a political scientist with expertise in comparative politics and international relations. She enjoys teaching first-year students in a variety of courses in ethics, humanities, and social and behavioral sciences.
Dr. Ahram Park, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Dr. Ahram Park is an Assistant Professor Lecturer at the University of Utah, Asia Campus where she teaches courses on global citizenship, social ethics, and culture and society. She earned her doctorate from Columbia University. Prior to joining UAC, she worked for several years as an instructor and instructional designer collaborating with PreK-16 educators to identify and leverage various educational technological tools in the classroom. She has also taught graduate-level courses around culture, media, and education at Teachers College Columbia University. She is a qualitative ethnographer researcher with over ten years of experience partnering with nonprofit organizations to advocate for issues related to juvenile justice, educational equity, teacher education, and youth wellness. Her broader scholarly interests include citizenship, STEAM learning, participatory and qualitative research, and multimodal literacy practices.
PROGRAM COSTS
Students participating in the Global LEAP Korea program pay the same tuition at the U Asia Campus in the Spring as they pay on the main campus in the Fall. Non-resident students pay resident tuition for the semester at the U Asia Campus. Even with the added cost of a flight to South Korea, the Spring semester is more affordable than Spring semester on the main campus, given the low cost of housing and food in South Korea.
FALL 2024 (U Main Campus) PROGRAM COSTS
Based on 24 credit hours - 12 each Fall and Spring Semester as listed at the Income Accounting website
| TUITION & FEES | Resident | Non-resident |
| Tuition & Fees | $4,342.93 | $13,851.80 |
| 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* |
| Global LEAP Program Fees | $500 | $500 |
| International Insurance and Korean National Health Insurance | $450.00 | $450.00 |
*Non-resident students pay resident tuition for the semester at the U Asia Campus
| ROOM & BOARD | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
| Housing | $1,145 | $1,715 |
| OTHER ESTIMATED EXPENSES | (All costs below are estimates) |
| Passport – if student does not already have passport | $135 |
| Visa | $45 |
| Flight to Korea | $1500 |
| In-country Transportation | $200 |
| Immunizations/Medical Visit* | $735 |
| Books & Supplies | $200-500 |
| Meals | $2,700 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 |
| Emergency Fund** | $500 |
| Alien Registration Card | $27 |
| Korean SIM card | $55 |
*Actual amount will vary based on immunization history
**Recommended funds in the event of unforeseen situations
TIMELINE
AUG |
1st
21st |
LEAP application due; earlier application encouraged
Classes begin Monday at Salt Lake City Campus |
SET |
15th | Apply for Passport |
NOV |
1st
4st 8th
TBD 21st |
University of Utah Asia Campus: Global LEAP Korea application deadline
Deadline to cancel on-campus housing contract with Housing & Residential Education Students notified of Accepted/Not Accepted status for University of Utah Asia Campus: Global LEAP Pre-Departure Orientation Deadline to cancel on-campus housing contract with Housing & Residential Education Utah Asia Campus course registration |
DEC |
7th
|
Salt Lake City Campus classes end
Move out of campus housing Arrange January Winter Break pre-travel housing* *most students will go home for this period |
JAN |
1st
|
Deadline to cancel on-campus housing contract
Global LEAP Winter Break Apply for visa in early January Pack & prepare for travel |
FEB |
19th |
Arrive at U Asia Campus
New Student Orientation and International Student Orientation Classes begin |
APR |
Fall course registration for Salt Lake City campus
Apply for on-campus housing AY 2024-25 |
|
JUN |
7th | U Asia Campus semester ends |
FAQs
The U Asia Campus has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring semester 2021, the first cohort of Global LEAP students studied at the U Asia Campus, taking classes both virtually and in-person. Classes are scheduled to be in-person at the U Asia Campus in Spring 2023.
All students will be informed of updated immigration policies during the fall semester and will be supported by staff in SLC and at the U Asia Campus. All Global LEAP students are required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to traveling to South Korea. Vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine.
We are aware that the landscape of international travel safety in the wake of COVID-19 has changed dramatically. The processes used to understand and mitigate risks associated with international travel for any specific individual or foreign location are dynamic and complex and continue to evolve as we learn more about global responses to COVID-19. The University of Utah actively monitors the landscape of travel health & safety risks for all U students participating in international experiences and works to identify potential risks related to COVID-19 as well as other global health, safety, and security factors.
Most University of Utah scholarships can be used at the U Asia Campus. Contact Randy McCrillis at randy.mccrillis@utah.edu if you have questions about applying your scholarships.
Students who are interested in enrolling in the Global LEAP 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.
You must be in good academic standing with the University and have a 2.5 or higher GPA in Fall 2022. You must have a 70% or better in your Fall 2022 Global LEAP Korea course on November 1 (application deadline). Additionally, you will need to complete all parts of your University of Utah Asia Campus: Global LEAP Korea application by the required deadlines.
On-campus housing consists of single and double-occupancy rooms (approximately $1,145.00 and $1,715.00 per semester, respectively), which are furnished with one twin bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe per occupant. Each room also has one private bathroom including shower. 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, and cooking equipment is not provided. The on-campus cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday-Friday as well as a light brunch on Saturday, for about $8.00 (₩9,000-10,000) per meal. Please note that the cafeteria is closed on Sundays. Groceries and other food establishments are within walking distance and easy access.
Click here for a virtual tour of the housing facilities at the Asia Campus
You will receive a comprehensive orientation coordinated by the Office for Global Engagement: Learning Abroad and the U Asia Campus during Fall semester. This will cover everything from applying for a visa to registering for your courses. In addition, through your University of Utah Asia Campus: Global LEAP Korea application you will receive a Welcome Packet and complete an online orientation which will introduce you to best practices and resources for living and learning abroad for your Spring semester.
When you arrive in Korea, you will participate in an international student orientation as well as a new student orientation to familiarize yourself with the U Asia Campus facilities and resources.
Yes, non-resident students will continue to work towards residency while participating in the international experience of the Global LEAP Korea program.
For residency questions contact the Admissions Office at residency@utah.edu
Review the Spring 2022 Welcome Packet.
If, while participating in Global LEAP, you find you are unable or ineligible to travel to Korea for the Spring 2024 semester, you may still be able to participate in another LEAP program at the main campus. Please work with your advisor to determine a course of study that supports your goals.
We will provide a recommended group flight so that Global LEAP students can fly together. Ultimately, students are responsible for arranging their travel to the U Asia Campus. Incheon International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and easy to fly into from multiple locations. Please work with the Office for Global Engagement: Learning Abroad if you need assistance making travel plans. Information on how to get from the airport to the Asia Campus can be found in the Welcome Packet.
All students, including Global LEAP participants, who plan to live on-campus must reserve housing for the full academic year. Once you are sure you will be going to Korea, please notify the Housing Office that you will withdraw from on-campus housing for spring semester. Housing requires a 30 day notice, so don’t delay this step once your travel is confirmed.
The move-out date in fall semester is mid-December, so Global LEAP students will need to arrange off-campus housing for the time in between the semesters from mid-December – mid-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.
Housing staff will host an orientation at the U Asia Campus regarding on-campus (Utah) housing options. If you did not live in on-campus housing during the fall but plan to do so your sophomore year, you are encouraged to participate.