Study Global leadership in Korea for a GAp year and explore the world

One Semester or One Year to pause, breathe, explore different cultures, and plan out your next steps

Come explore new passions for learning and making world impact

Open to all graduating high school seniors and college students, the Global Leadership Fellows (GLF) Program offers structured breathing space to explore and envision your future after graduating from high school or during your college studies. Called a Gap Semester or Gap Year, this short term period allows for a radically new environment to redefine or clarify one's academic vision while seeing the world.

Living in a beautiful beachside campus with a cohort of international students from over 50 different nations, GLF students put together a customized schedule of contemplation, study, and service. Fellows learn leadership skills while living and learning community with a diverse group of peers, participating in outreach, global mobilization, and grassroots planning.

The GLF Gap Year program is designed to give fellows time to re-envision their life goals, refine their vision and academic purpose, and learn through exposure to different cultures in a vibrant campus environment under the mentorship of caring professors and scholars from around the world.

Program terms are in the SPRING (from end of February to mid June) and FALL (End of August to mid December) of each year.

Here's what students have to say about their experience...

"I loved to dance, and they accepted me to join the dance team"

"I got passion to study more than ever before" - Iulia (Finland/Russia)

"We're all coming back, right?"

"It's really all about the community, different teams, and bonding." - Shaylan (USA)

"I love the life here, it's so busy and bustling..."

"I came and have not regretted a single time, because it's really been amazing." - Christy (USA)

Building Bridges to Bring Best Practices to the Needs of the Developing World

Wonder how you can make a difference? The Gap Year or Semester Program allows you to customize a combination of classes and work projects in an international setting. Our caring Christian professors and mentors come from around the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and of course South Korea.

One Semester or One Year Specifically Catered to Your Areas of Interest

Combine any number of college courses and practicum opportunities to live out leadership service.
Live and learn with in a residential community with peers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Participate in student-led missions to other regional countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, and other regional bases.
Classes are designed to be intimate and small so students have ample time to get mentorship from their professors. In addition, all students are placed into Community Leadership Teams allowing for even closer interaction with peers outside of class headed by a faculty mentor.
- Here is a sample list of courses (taught fully in English) you can choose from: https://handong.edu/eng/academics/Course/All_courses/ (Be sure to click the blue drop down box to see courses from each major department)

Learning Community that fosters exploration and discovery

Fellows take at least two courses in any subject area to explore academic majors or build their skillset in computer science, engineering, architecture, graphic art/design, business/entrepreneurship, or international law and policy. Studies complement a service practicum working for any number of real world project teams dealing with medical aid, education, environmental sustainability with technology, or entrepreneurship training.
Tuition fees are heavily subsidized by corporate and private donors in order to broaden accessibility for under-represented student populations. Due to the generosity of supporters, the Fellowship Gap Year Program tuition has remained a fraction of the cost of a typical US college tuition for the last 10 years.
Admissions is holistic and selective. The admissions committee carefully evaluates an applicant's character as evidenced by past service experience, extracurricular activities, specialized talent in arts and sciences, personal essays, and letters of recommendations. These are considered against the candidate's academic aptitude and accomplishments. Please review the application requirements tab for more details.
We recognize that applicants from developing countries may not have the same opportunities as students from advanced countries, and advise interested applicants to send us a preliminary self-introduction by email for consultation should any doubts arise.

CAMPUS LOCATION - Pohang Bay, South Korea

The Leadership University Campus is located in the forested hills of Pohang, minutes from beautiful coastal beaches. Pohang is a major port city in the Industrial Manufacturing Tri-city area of Busan, Ulsan, home to manufacturing giants like Hyundai, Daewoo, and Posco. Recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in Korea, Handong is easily accessible by KTX Bullet Train from the Seoul/Incheon Intl Airport. Visitors find it surprisingly easy to travel in Korea where the transportation network system is built with international travelers in mind, with all kiosks and signs written out in the English language.

Learn more about us online at www.handong.edu/eng and the following videos

Spring 23 Update

Get a sky tour of the campus

Day in a life with classes and friends

First Impressions: New term orientation iHanst

Page updated

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