South Korea: K-Everything (Spring Break 2027)

Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).

New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification.

Seoul is 13 hours ahead of New York in April.

• After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones.
• Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
• Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.

If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.

Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.

Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.

Cancellations before midnight ET on November 30, 2026, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.

For cancellations after November 30, 2026, see the enrollment terms.

If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.

There is no group or chaperoned flight on this program. Students fly on their own to Seoul Incheon (ICN), and Rustic Pathways staff meet every student in the arrivals hall and see every student through check-in on the way home. Book an arrival between 4:00 and 9:00 AM on Monday, April 5 and a departure between 6:00 and 10:00 PM on Friday, April 9, Korea time.

Flights are not included in tuition. See the arrival and departure windows below.

Every student flies independently. Book flights that land and leave inside these windows (Korea time). The recommended flights are suggestions, not requirements: from any city, any flight inside the two windows works. April 4 to 9 are U.S. dates; Seoul is 13 hours ahead, so flights leave the U.S. late Saturday, April 3, or just after midnight.

Outside a window, an extra fee applies for out-of-window staff support. Airlines change schedules, so confirm times when you book and send your final itinerary to your travel advisor.

The program is planned around Air Premia YP132 from Newark and Asiana OZ211 from San Francisco on the way out, and YP131 and OZ212 on the way home. They are recommendations, not requirements: from any city, book a flight that lands between 4:00 and 9:00 AM on Monday, April 5 and leaves between 6:00 and 10:00 PM on Friday, April 9, Korea time.

Times for each flight are in the arrival and departure table above. Before you book, confirm your flights with your Personal Travel Advisor.

At Incheon International Airport (ICN): staff meet students in the arrivals hall on Monday morning, April 5, and see them through check-in on Friday evening, April 9.

U.S. citizens and travelers from most countries don’t need a visa for South Korea, but from January 1, 2027 those 18 and older at entry do need a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) before flying. Travelers 17 and younger at entry don’t need a K-ETA. Requirements can change, so check the official K-ETA site for the latest. Other passports may need a visa: check your nationality on Korea’s official visa portal.

The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.

The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.

Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.

Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.

Medical insurance with coverage in South Korea is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.

Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.

$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition.

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers, and Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.

Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.

Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders supervise students from the moment staff meet them at Seoul Incheon airport until they depart for their flight home.

• A median student-to-staff ratio of 1 staff member for every 4.37 students, never exceeding 7:1.
• Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
• Two-Deep Leadership: No staff member is ever alone one-on-one with a student.
• Each student has a personal check-in with a Program Leader within 24 hours of arrival.
• Families receive a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours of arrival in South Korea.

Students do not have unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with Program Leaders always nearby. At night, students stay in their rooms with their roommates. Program Leaders are housed on site and conduct nightly room checks.

Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.

Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules. Travel-day, medical, and accessibility exceptions apply. Public Wi-Fi is widely available in Seoul, and the accommodation has Wi-Fi.

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.

The group is limited to 14 students, ages 14 to 18.

Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. International students fly to Incheon to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.

Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.

Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.

Each day explores a different Seoul neighborhood, from youth street culture and fashion to history and street food. The group travels together by public transportation, visiting landmarks, shops, and local attractions, and eats at restaurants, food markets, and street food stalls.

Not strenuous, but expect long days of walking around the city and riding the subway.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.

No. Students don’t need any Korean for this program. Bilingual Program Leaders assist students with language barriers, and students learn basic Korean greetings and phrases.

Late March to early April is cherry blossom season in Seoul. Temperatures are mild (45–68°F / 7–20°C), and cherry blossoms begin to bloom across the city’s parks and palaces. Students fly out late Saturday, April 3, or early Sunday, April 4, and are in Seoul from early Monday morning, April 5, to Friday evening, April 9, which matches spring break for Palo Alto Unified and Atlanta Public Schools.

Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.