Following the success of its semester study abroad cohort programs, DU Spain and DU England, Drake University is launching its third cohort program, DU Korea, in Seoul, South Korea.
Beginning in Spring 2027, Drake students will be able to spend a semester in Seoul alongside Drake peers through a partnership with WorldStrides and Konkuk University. The new offering will meet growing student interest in Asia and further expand Drake’s emphasis on global education.
The new Seoul cohort program will be open to students of all majors and is planning to welcome between 10 and 20 Drake students in its inaugural semester. Currently, 37 percent of Drake’s semester study abroad students participate in a cohort program, demonstrating the value students see in this immersive yet supportive structure. The program builds upon the established cohort model, which provides a tailored experience similar to Drake’s popular short-term travel seminar model offered during J-Term where students enroll in a common course with their peers, taught by Drake faculty. Students’ academic schedules are rounded out by choosing from a breadth of courses taught at the local partner institution helping students meet degree requirements for graduation.
This structure offers additional on-site support and strengthens students’ connection to their Drake experience, creating shared experiences among peers. It also provides new challenges—learning in a new environment, living among students from all over the world, engaging in local university life—allowing for significant personal growth through facilitated reflection. Drake’s cohort model began in Spring 2020 with a program in Spain and expanded in Fall 2023 to include Harlaxton College in England.
“The cohort model embodies Drake’s mission to build a global perspective, and we’re thrilled to bring this successful approach to Seoul,” said Annique Kiel, chief global affairs officer and dean of global programs at Drake University. “When students live and learn in a vibrant capital city like Seoul with the support of a Drake faculty member, they gain a level of confidence that helps maximize their experience. Students who participate in this program will not only have access to a world-class curriculum that sets them up for a breadth of careers but also the opportunity to further develop their intercultural competency and grow as responsible global citizens.”
The Drake faculty-in-residence teaches an experiential-based course using the local environs for learning in addition to the classroom ensuring a rich academic and cultural experience. The inaugural DU Korea cohort will be led by Kelley Ellis, associate dean of student affairs and associate professor of practice in accounting in the Zimpleman College of Business. Professor Ellis will teach “Business for Good,” a course designed to maximize intercultural learning by co-enrolling Drake students alongside peers from Konkuk University. In addition to the Drake-led course and the coursework at Konkuk, students have the option to incorporate a custom internship. The program also includes excursions including an overnight trip to Busan and a multi-day excursion to Tokyo, complementing cultural activities offered throughout the term.
The selection of Seoul as the next cohort location was a strategic decision driven by student interest in South Korea and Asia as a whole. By developing a third flagship cohort site in Seoul, Drake is prioritizing student feedback while diversifying its high-quality study abroad opportunities. Additionally, Drake is ranked #39 in the country for undergraduate participation for study abroad. In 2025, Drake recorded a record of 32% of graduating seniors having studied abroad, compared to the national average of 10%.
The application for the inaugural Spring 2027 Seoul cohort is open. To learn more about the program’s academic structure, courses available, internship placements, cultural activities, cost, scholarships, deadlines, or to start an application, visit Drake’s new study abroad application site, Via.