Architecture Internships in Asia


Image of Shanghai, China
Location: Seoul, Korea; Shanghai, China; Singapore
Language of Instruction: English
Term: Fall
Academic Disciplines: Architecture
Program Type: Internship
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Spend the fall semester interning at a firm in Asia
  • Earn up to 9 credit hours
  • Gain professional and international experience in the field of Architecture
  • No foreign language experience necessary
  • Open to 5th year M. Arch students
  • Study Abroad & Global Engagement anticipates offering a significant number of $2,500-$5,000 Freeman East Asia Internship Scholarships to participants in this program.  KU students who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. 

During this six to seven months long program, students will work in internationally recognized architecture firms in Seoul, Korea; Shanghai, China; and Singapore. Depending on the architecture firm, students will be exposed to projects of varying scales and building types, from airports to housing, situated in Asia and across the globe. The contemporary design experience is set against the rich historical traditions of Asia, allowing students to witness firsthand the creative dialogue between the past and present and eastern and western cultures. The program seeks out practices and projects in the forefront of architectural and technical innovation, providing students a professional experience highly valued in the current and future marketplace.

  • Seoul, Korea
  • Shanghai, China
  • Singapore

Credit

Students will enroll in one or both of the following courses for a total of 6-9 credits during the fall semester:

ARCH 692 Documentation (3 credit hours)

ARCH 809 Building Typology I (6 credit hours)

Students will arrange their own apartment housing with assistance from the architecture firms and program faculty.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Considerations for South Korea

The response to homosexuality is mixed in Korea. While consensual same-sex sexual activity is not criminalized and there are no specific laws that discriminate based on sexuality, same-sex marriages are not legally recognized. Korea is a conservative country in regards to LGBTI issues. However, there are an increasing number of LGBTQIA+ -oriented clubs, festivals and NGOs advocating for LGBTQIA+  issues. There is an LGBTQIA+ subculture in the more urban cities but it is not openly displayed in public, although platonic displays of affection between same-sex friends is very common. As is often in the case in a society that is both homogenous and traditionally conservative, it is the experience of many students that being open about your sexuality in any context is seen as unusual and curious, sometimes shocking.

Generally speaking, most facilities in Korea have been made to be accessible for wheelchairs. Students with physical disabilities may find it difficult to navigate public transportation in Korea. Access to transportation in most areas is somewhat limited, although there are various government initiatives designed to make public transport more accessible. Students with vision impairment may have difficulty, as most Braille or audio transportation information is exclusively in Korean.

Korea does not have a homogenous religious culture and throughout its history, a wide variety of religious movements such as Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism and Christianity have shaped the culture dramatically.

Source: U.S. Department of State country information pages and Diversity Abroad.

Additional Resources

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

The program is open to students who have successfully completed ARCH 609 and will be 5th year M. Arch students during the fall semester.  

Minimum 2.5 GPA

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement can do personalized financial aid and scholarship advising for students.  Please visit 108 Lippincott Hall or call 785-864-3742 to set up an appointment.  KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Federal Grants, and KU or outside scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.  
 
KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement supplemental scholarships are available to KU degree seeking students. Applications are available online. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Summer and Fall and Academic Year programs and October 1 for Spring, Winter Break and Spring Break programs.
 
For additional scholarship opportunities visit KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement. 

Application Procedures

The School of Architecture will communicate with interested students directly regarding the initial application process and deadlines.

Resume and portfolio of student work are required to apply for the program and will be submitted to the architecture firms. Office assignments will be made on the basis of submitted portfolio, resume, and the decision of the program faculty.

For more information, contact:

Professor Jae Chang
School of Architecture, Design & Planning
416 Marvin Hall
785-864-1446
jdchang@ku.edu