U.S.-Korea International Education Administrators Award
South Korea
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation.
Established in 1995, the U.S.-Korea International Education Administrator Award is also known as the American International Education Administrator (AIEA) Award. Open to individuals involved directly with students in the promotion of international education, either through higher education institutions or non-profit exchange organizations in the U.S., the program offers two weeks of guided exposure to the Korean higher education system. AIEA participants visit colleges and universities, as well as government and private sector agencies, and meet with relevant personnel in order to become acquainted with the philosophy, organization, and management of Korean higher and international education programs. Cultural excursions supplement professional and academic visits.
Often referred to as an “educational powerhouse,” Korea places a distinct value on education linked to early recognition of its importance in economic mobility and development throughout Korea’s history, and particularly its history since the Korean War in the early 1950s. As with the rest of the country, Korea’s higher education system has seen rapid growth since the end of the Korean War. Today, Korea boasts over 400 higher education institutions, primarily categorized as junior/community colleges (2-3 years), universities (4 years), and graduate schools.
With the spread in popularity of Korean culture, language, and arts worldwide, popularly known as the “Hallyu Wave,” in recent years, Korean higher education institutions have seen a consistently strong number of international students choosing to pursue advanced study in Korea. According to the 2024 Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), during the 2022-2023 academic year, South Korea ranked 11th among the top 25 destinations of U.S. study abroad students.
The U.S. also remains a popular study abroad destination for Korean students, with Korea consistently ranking as the third-largest origin of international students after India and China (a fact particularly significant considering the difference in population size between Korea and these two countries). Thus, the Korean higher education system is uniquely placed to influence the future of international education, while fostering educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Korea.
Various higher education institutions throughout Korea: The first week of visits for AIEA participants is typically spent in Seoul, home to over 80 of the nation’s higher education institutions, and the second week of visits is spent outside of Seoul, offering an opportunity to explore international education in a range of urban, suburban, and rural localities.
Tentative program period: June 7-20, 2026
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a higher education administrator or program director who works directly with students on a day-to-day basis and who is actively involved in promoting international education on their campus (for example, foreign student advisor, study abroad advisor, or international student office director)
- Be affiliated with a two- or four-year college or university, or a non-profit international education exchange organization
- Have a minimum of five years of full-time work experience in international education
Preference given to applicants:
- Without significant professional visits to Korea in the past five years
An applicant must clearly demonstrate that these criteria have been met (in CV and/or project statement) in order to be considered eligible. An applicant’s statement should include the number of Korean students currently at their home institution campus.
Program participants receive round-trip international airfare, lodging, and a per diem that includes a meal allowance for those meals not provided.
South Korea
Often referred to as an “educational powerhouse,” Korea places a distinct value on education linked to early recognition of its importance in economic mobility and development throughout Korea’s history, and particularly its history since the Korean War in the early 1950s. As with the rest of the country, Korea’s higher education system has seen rapid growth since the end of the Korean War. Today, Korea boasts over 400 higher education institutions, primarily categorized as junior/community colleges (2-3 years), universities (4 years), and graduate schools.
A high percentage of Korean professors have earned PhDs from U.S. institutions. Additionally, course offerings in English have increased, with around 30% of courses at Korean colleges and universities now taught in English. Some colleges and universities may also include departments or programs in which all courses are taught in English. In keeping with globalization and Korea’s current status as an advanced economy, such programs have ambitious international goals. (For more information on higher education in Korea, visit the Korean Ministry of Education's Study in Korea website.)
According to the 2024 Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), during the 2022-2023 academic year, South Korea ranked 11th among the top 25 destinations of U.S. study abroad students. The U.S. also remains a popular study abroad destination of Korean students, with Korea consistently ranking as the third-largest origin of international students after India and China (a fact particularly significant considering the difference in population size between Korea and these two countries). Thus, the Korean higher education system is uniquely placed to influence the future of international education, while fostering educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Korea. This emphasis on strong academics is matched by a strong interest in research and development (R&D) as, per the OECD, Korea has one of the world’s highest levels of R&D expenditure.
More generally, with the spread in popularity of Korean culture, language, and arts worldwide, popularly known as the “Hallyu Wave,” South Korea has taken its place on the world stage as a major influencer of global culture and trends. The vibrancy of Korea’s growing music and film scenes, reflected in the worldwide fame of BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game, are equally matched by a vibrancy and uniqueness of history extending back to the mythical foundation of Korea with the Gojoseon Dynasty in 2333 BC. South Korea boasts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including monasteries, temples, and tombs; palaces, villages, and fortress complexes. The cultural atmosphere of these sites is reflected in the traditions of dress, dwelling, and daily living still seen in the gracefulness of Hanbok and Hanok, tasted in the savoriness of Kimchi and Korean barbeque, and heard in the strains of Pansori and Samul Nori.
General Information about the Korean Academic Year
The academic year for higher education institutions in Korea officially starts from March 1 with the opening of the spring semester. The spring semester closes with a final exam period in mid- to late June.
Summer break is approximately two months long, with the fall semester starting the end of August or beginning of September. The fall semester closes with a final exam period in mid-December.
The largest holidays in Korea are Chuseok (fall harvest) and Seollal (lunar new year). The dates of both holidays vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar, with Chuseok falling in September/October and Seollal falling in January/February. Most institutions in Korea go on a short break (typically a five-day weekend) in observance of these holidays.
2018 U.S. Scholar - As with prior Fulbright awards, this experience has permitted wonderful development of new skills, knowledge, collaborations, and continuing professional relationships for which I remain very grateful [...]. My contacts and knowledgeability already have been helpful for my professional activities and productivity in the United States. The opportunity to develop professional relationships, friendships, cultural awareness, and language skills has led to personal growth and gratification as well as improved capacity to contribute to others.
2021 U.S. Scholar - This experience was even more amazing than any past experiences I've had in Korea. Part of it had to do with coming with my family which pushed me to engage more vis-a-vis schools and family trips, but just as importantly, having Fulbright status and funding also eliminated some of the financial difficulties I would have otherwise had staying here for a year and opened the doors to a lot of opportunities for presenting, travelling, and meeting people.
2021 U.S. Scholar - Truly a wonderful and rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. I hope that I have been able to contribute to the goals of Fulbright and the experience of others at least as much as I have received.
2022 U.S. Scholar - The Fulbright experience was extremely valuable to me professionally, given the necessity to “expand my research portfolio” and reassess previous understandings so that my approach and research questions reflected current realities. By devoting my time exclusively to understanding Korea’s health system and healthy aging policies, I underscored to previous and new colleagues the seriousness of my commitment to working on these issues not only during my Fulbright but extending into the future. And I met young emerging scholars and doctoral students with whom I can continue to interact, mentor, and learn about the latest developments.
2023 U.S. Scholar - Being a part of this Fulbright cohort has been the experience of a lifetime. I have made lifetime professional and personal relationships because of this unique opportunity as a resident of Korea. I will continue to return in the future and it will feel like a second home.
Prospective applicants can also reach out to Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassadors from the Korea Program:
- 2018 U.S. Scholar David Oh - Alumni Ambassador Profile
- 2019 U.S. Scholar Drew Ippoliti - Alumni Ambassador Profile
Program participants will follow a demanding and intensive pre-arranged schedule with little time available for individual projects or appointments, unless undertaken at the conclusion of the program at the participant's expense. As such, this program is not intended as a vehicle for initiating or developing U.S. institutions' linkage programs, for student recruitment, or for the establishment of branch campuses.
Accompanying dependents are not permitted.