Before you say yes to South Korea: A guide for parents

South Korea for your teen: What parents need to know

Your teenager has been talking to you about South Korea for quite some time now. Maybe it all started with a TV show, a musician, or a friend who went there. Now, they’re talking to you about it seriously.

And it’s up to you to make the decision.

A high school study abroad program in South Korea is not a decision to be taken lightly. It involves costs, distance, a different language, and a school system you may know very little about. This guide addresses the four questions most parents ask themselves before giving their approval: where will their child live, is South Korea a safe country, what about their studies, and what is the actual cost of the program?

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Where your teen will stay

The Nacel Korea study abroad program takes place at a private high school located in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city. Your teen will not be staying with a Korean host family. Instead, they will be housed on campus in the school’s dormitory.

Rooms are shared by two to four students. Meals are served in the school cafeteria for approximately four to seven U.S. dollars per meal. The schedule for the stay is clear from day one: airport pickup upon arrival, an orientation session in Seoul, and access to an on-site support team throughout the stay.

This program is ideal for teenagers who want to gain independence while maintaining a structured daily routine. They don’t have to adapt to a foreign home in a language they’re still learning. Instead, they’re immersed in a school environment with a set schedule, surrounded by other students.

Iva, a German student who spent two months in Korea with Nacel, summed it up this way: “I didn’t have to worry about a thing, because I knew Nacel was handling all the arrangements for me.”

What will my teen do every day during the Exchange in Korea?

​Mornings are for Korean language classes. This is a priority from day one, and it is included in the program fee. Students with no Korean background start at the right level. Students who arrive with basic knowledge progress faster.

Afternoons are spent in Korean high school classes alongside local students. The curriculum covers various subjects depending on the stream chosen. School hours run from around 8am to 3 or 4pm.

Beyond the classroom, the program includes K-pop activities, cultural experiences, and a two-night discovery tour in Seoul.

It is not a loosely organized cultural holiday. It is a school program with classes, a schedule, and genuine daily life alongside Korean students.

Will this affect your teen's studies back home?

The Korean educational institution can issue a certificate of attendance for all courses taken. For students holding a student visa (90 days or more), credits are recorded in the Korean government’s education system. For shorter stays on a tourist visa, the school’s documents are retained and can be used to verify the period the student spent in formal education. Most of our exchange students participate in a short-term program and do not receive grades from the Korean school. This high school study abroad program in Korea is designed as a cultural exchange experience rather than a traditional academic program.

In their home countries, most schools may view a well-documented exchange program as an asset in a student’s application. Many students also use this experience in their college applications to demonstrate initiative and independence.

Language progress is also measurable. Iva arrived with a basic understanding of Korean grammar but little confidence in speaking. After two months, the situation had changed: “I noticed that I was much more comfortable speaking. I was able to understand, and my speaking skills improved significantly because I was also able to make new friends and practice my Korean with them.”