Fall Break in Korea: Korean Fashion Industry
This Intensive Course Abroad is intended for Fashion and Design & Merchandising students who would like to explore and learn about the Korean fashion industry and culture. By participating in this program, students will understand and gain first hand experience of the Asia fashion market though one of its major fashion hubs, Seoul, Korea. Students will learn from real fashion industries as well as visit museums and palaces dating back 5000 years in Korea’s history.
This program walks students through the real-life process of fashion creation from conception to manufacturing. Prior to departure, each student will design their own or select ready to wear designs to bring with them to Korea. While in Korea, students will visit the fashion industries related to each step of the process: selecting fabric at the fabric market, meeting with expert pattern makers and tailors, and visiting garment factories. By the end of this program, each student will have their design garment(s) produced by expert pattern maker and tailor. Students will also conduct research on fashion consumer markets in Asia.
Credit/Registration
Students will be registered for FASH T380: Korean Fashion Industry 3 credits or FASH T580 1 credit as part of their fall term course load. Undergraduate students must leave room for the credits in their fall credit load when registering for fall term, or will be billed for credits exceeding the 20 credit maximum. Graduate students will be billed for 1 Drexel credit at their normal rate.
Pre-requisites
Fashion Design Majors: FASH 341
Design & Merchandising Majors: DSMR 231 and DSMR 232
Instructor
Jaeyoon Jeong, AssociateTeaching Professor of Fashion Design; Westphal College of Media Arts & Design; jj98@drexel.edu
Arrival Date: Sept 1 (leave US August 31)*
Departure Date: September 11th**
*Students must arrange for early summer final exams in order to depart on August 31st for September 1 arrival in Korea.
**Students may extend their travel independently after program and are fully responsible for all arrangements.
Itinerary Overview
Day 0: Aug 31, 2026 (Mon)
Departure from the US (Philadelphia or NYC JFK)
Day 1: Sep 1, 2026 (Tue)
Arrival at Incheon International Airport (ICN) Move to the Guest House via Airport Bus
Group meeting at the lobby and School Tour
Day 2: Sep 2, 2026 (Wed)
Visit Dongdaemun Fabric Market (Material research & ordering) 
Meeting at a Tailor Studio, visit Gyeongbokgung Palace & National Folk Museum
Welcome Party in Daehangno (Hyehwa)
Day 3: Sep 3, 2026 (Thu)
Move to Hongdae for a "DIY Perfume Making" class
Hongdae free tour and visit DDP Fashion Week (On-site ticket standby)
Day 4: Sep 4, 2026 (Fri)
Leather craft workshop at "SILC Studio" in Seongsu-dong
CLO 3D Headquarters tour/workshop and move to Myeongdong
Nanta Show performance and group dinner
Day 5: Sep 5, 2026 (Sat)
Travel to Jeonju via KTX from Yongsan Station A
Hanbok experience and Korean traditional embroidery workshop
Day 6: Sep 6, 2026 (Sun)
Free time at Jeonju Hanok Village
Return to Seoul Guest House
Day 7: Sep 7, 2026 (Mon)
Visit sustainable brand 'PARTS PARTS' and workshop
Visit Galleria Department Store, 'Re;code' workshop, and COEX Mall market research
Day 8: Sep 8, 2026 (Tue)
Final shopping for project materials at Dongdaemun Market
Market research and free time in the afternoon.
Day 9: Sep 9, 2026 (Wed)
Guided tour of the National Museum of Korea
Guided tour of DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) and Gallery tour
Day 10: Sep 10, 2026 (Thu)
Final project review and critique preparation
Final Critique and Group Farewell Dinner
Day 11: Sep 11, 2026 (Fri)
Check out by 11:00 AM and depart for the US (Arrive in the US on the same day)
Note: Students are fully responsible for independent travel before or after the program dates and must purchase their own flight tickets.
Due May 1st: $500 Advance Payment + $25 Application Fee
Due July 1st: $2,055 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Included in Program Fee:
- 10 nights accommodation
- Local transport in Korea including charter bus
- Pattern make and sewing with expert pattern maker and tailor for garment project
- Tours and entrance fees for program activities
- 3 group dinners
- On Call Emergency Assistance Insurance
Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):
- Airfare $1,300
- Airport transfers $100
- Meals $660
- Materials and fabric for garment project $30 - $75
- Passport $135
- Spending money $200
- Visa (if applicable)
- Drexel tuition
- Students are responsible for booking their own flight to Korea. A suggested flight itinerary will be provided.
- Students are required to attend several pre-departure class meetings and orientation.
- Students must arrange for early summer final exams in order to arrive in Korea on September 2nd.
- Course Grading Scale:
A+ 98 – 100 A 93 – 97 A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 – 89 B 83 – 86 B- 80 - 82
C+ 77 – 79 C 73 – 76 C- 70 - 72
D+ 67 - 69 D 63 - 66 F < 62
