newsroom
News
October 14, 2025
Business Today

Destination Seoul, Korea: The Summer 2026 Global Field Study in Business

Seoul is a massive global hub that anchors South Korea's powerful, high-tech economy and is home to influential companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai.
Ting Zhang Associate Professor of Economics
stock image of Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul, Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace | Seoul, Korea

Global Field Study Korea

Graduate and Advanced Undergraduates are eligible to participate in the course.

Travel Dates: MAy 23-30, 2026 (Summer Session)


Applications will be accepted beginning on October 13 until the course is full.  

 

Tentative course information can be found below. Details are pending for this course. Keep checking back. 

 

Global Field Study - Frequently Asked Questions

Global Field Study
Korea

Apply Now

Cost at a Glance

  • Travel Costs  | (airfare, hotel, all activities, local travel, airport shuttles, all breakfasts) = $3,100*.  
  • Course Tuition and Fees | See UBalt's tuition page. 
  • Additional costs | Some meals, passport and visa expenses, if applicable, medical vaccination, if applicable, and additional activities of your choosing.

*Scholarship

If you apply and are awarded Wright Global Scholars funds (a value up to $1,600) it will defer a portion of the travel costs. $3,100 minus $1,600 = $1,500 in travel costs to you.

Students enrolled in a Merrick School of Business academic program are eligible for Wright Global Scholars funding. Students may receive one-time funding as an undergraduate and one-time funding as a graduate student.

 

Course: MGMT 498 / MGMT 798 (3 credits)

The Global Field Study in Business, will expose students to the business practices, culture, and people in Korea.

To better understand and succeed in global business today, there is no better way than direct experience through immersing oneself in a foreign environment. This course will provide an opportunity for lectures and discussion with local experts and students regarding key themes of economic, political and cultural importance to business. The course will engage students in field visits to companies, government agencies and other organizations located abroad. 

Ting Zhang associate professor of marketing and Danielle Fowler, associate professor of information systems will co-lead the course.

This course is being offered in the 2026 first summer session. Travel dates are Saturday (early morning), May 23, 2026 - Saturday, May 30, 2026.
 
Step into a city where technology, innovation, and global commerce converge with a thousand years of rich culture. For business students seeking a truly unparalleled experience, Seoul is the destination that delivers.

 

Note: Company visits and cultural attractions are subject to change. 

 

During the pre-trip meetings, students will gain an understanding of the business environment in Korea.

Itinerary 

Saturday, May 23 | Depart for Seoul, Korea on a 6:15 a.m. flight out of BWI.  

Sunday, May 24 | Arrive and check into the hotel. Evening of free time to explore Seoul.

Monday, May 25 | Orientation, DMZ Tour with lunch.

Tuesday, May 26 | Company visits with themes of "Macroeconomic and Trade Landscape of South Korea" and "Green Energy and Smart City Infrastructure."

Wednesday, May 27 | Company visits with a theme of "Robotics and Automation Engineering" followed by a tour called "From Sparks to Smart Tech: Exploring Korea’s Innovation Legacy."

Thursday, May 28 | Company visits with themes of "Innovation and Startup-Driven Growth" and "Digital Commerce and Fintech Innovation."

Friday, May 29 | Company visits with a theme of "Trends in Technology and Digital Innovation" followed by a tour called " Timeless Seoul: A Journey Through Royal Roots and Living Traditions Tour."

Saturday, May 30 | Depart Seoul for U.S.

 

Note: Company visits and cultural attractions are subject to change. 

There will be two mandatory pre-trip meetings and attendance is required for all participants (dates pending).
 
An optional pre-trip visit to the Korean embassy will be scheduled in April 2026 and all participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

The total student cost for airfare, lodging, most local transportation, and trip organization is approximately $3,100.

In addition to travel costs, normal semester tuition and fees will apply for this three-credit (3 cr) course.

You are registering for the Summer 2026 term. For more information, contact Assistant Dean Kathea Smith.

Travel Fee Payment Schedule:
  • Expected Initial Deposit: $500 due two week after being accepted.1
  • Expected Final Payment: $2,600 due by Friday, Mar. 13, 20262
  • Course Tuition Due: Monday Apr. 20, 2026. See the academic calendar.

Note:

1 All payments are completely non-refundable. In addition to the travel costs, students are responsible for meals, incidental expenses and the tuition and fees associated with this three-credit hour course in the Summer 2026 session.
2 Final payment amount is dependent upon individual scholarship award.

The Wright Global Scholars fund will provide scholarships up to a maximum of $1,600 to eligible students.

 

In addition to travel costs, normal tuition and fees will apply for this three-credit course.
Course Tuition Due: Monday, Apr. 20, 2026.

Students will be given permission to enroll in MGMT 498/798 for Spring. Registration for the for the Summer session begins Apr. 1, 2026. Approved students will be given permission to enroll in this course and will receive registration instructions after the initial deposit is collected.

 

To obtain approval for this Field Study you must complete the Global Field Study Application Form. All approvals should be submitted to Kathea Smith, assistant dean (ksmith@ubalt.edu).

  • Submit application and check your UBalt email daily.
  • If accepted, complete required document survey provided in your acceptance email and pay your initial deposit. 
    • Course Tuition Due: Monday, Apr. 20, 2026.

Global Field Studies offered through the Merrick School of Business are immersive learning experiences where you will visit companies and cultural sites over the course of 7 to 10 days. Participants should expect to participate in full days of activities and often walk more than 10,000 steps in a day. It is not unusual when traveling abroad to encounter physical obstacles such as stairs with no ramps or elevators and uneven walking surfaces.

 

For more information about specific trips, please contact the Assistant Dean Kathea Smith at ksmith@ubalt.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Process

  • Anyone! All students are welcome to apply for the Merrick School of Business Global Field Study program. However, students are responsible for ensuring they understand how the course will apply to their program of study.
  • Undergraduate Students: A global field study course will satisfy a general elective for all programs. It may qualify for program electives depending on your program of study. Speak to your academic advisor for more information.
  • Graduate Students: It may qualify for a program elective depending on your program of study. Speak to your academic advisor for more information.  
  • Complete the online application.  
  • We will communicate with you via UBalt email and UBalt email only. If you do not respond by the established deadlines, then you will be removed from the consideration list/course depending on the timeline. 
  • Students accepted to the GFS will be notified by UBalt email with clear deadlines for response and completion of initial paperwork. Lack of response assumes withdrawal of your application.
  • Students placed on any wait list will be notified as such via UBalt email with next steps and deadlines expected. 
If accepted: 
  • Students will be required to submit a valid passport that expires six months post-travel dates.
  • Depending on the location, you may need to provide a copy of your entry visa. 
  • Depending on the location, you may need to provide immunization documentation. 

Preparing for the Course and Travel

  • Yes. If you don’t have one at the point of application, you should be prepared to immediately apply.  
  • Potentially. It depends on the location and your country of citizenship. We will be able to advise you on that and provide documentation. In some cases, where everyone needs a visa, we will work as a group.  
  • This varies from country to country, and you should speak with your primary care physician and the CDC website for recommendations. 
  • Students will be notified if the country requires any vaccinations for travelers or documentation.
  • BSchool Travel is our vendor. 
    • They handle all payment for trip costs. 
    • They arrange all the travel, academic and cultural activities.  
    • They provide our transportation and guide. 
Trip insurance is provided by UBalt at no cost.  

Expectations During Course and Travel

  • We will work with you to support your academic, physical or other accommodation. We can ensure airport transport support or hotel rooms that meet needs. You just need to tell us early and work with us.  
  • Please inform leaders immediately if you’ll need airport or airplane boarding assistance.  
  • You will have free time during the trip. It’s not 100% work. The expectation is that during any free time that you are staying with at least one other group member and staying safe. You are to stay in contact with the group and leaders via WhatsApp communication tool.  
  • You may not travel away from the city where the trip is located.  
  • You are adult students and trusted to make smart choices with your time but also recognize that you are representatives of UBalt. 
  • We love to promote our GFS experiences on social media. Two students will be selected as social media ambassadors and work with UBalt social media teams to do a “takeovers.” This will require significant work in terms of content and timely communication.  
  • Tag @ubaltbusiness and @ubaltmain on any of your posts.

Post-Travel Expectations

  • See the syllabus or the faculty of record with questions pertaining to the final project.
  • We will coordinate with the UBalt Office of External Relations to share "thank you" notes to Mr. Wright.

Travel and Lodging-Related

  • For trips departing from Dulles, a shuttle bus will provide transport to and from the airport.  
    • Exceptions should be communicated EARLY with faculty.  
  • Trips departing from BWI will allow students to arrive at the airport on their own.  
  • Your ticket will be purchased as a part of a group reservation. 
  • All seats are economy.  
  • You have one checked bag, one carry-on bag and one personal item. Weight limits apply.  
  • You are encouraged to download the app for the airline for details on the flights.  
  • Depending on the carrier, you may be able to do online check-in, but boarding passes will still be collected at the counter upon arrival.  
  • You will have a roommate. You can select your roommate or have one picked for you by your leaders.  
  • All rooms have two beds. You will not share beds, only rooms.  
  • Students are expected to download and actively use two apps on their personal mobile devices.
The BSchool Travel App WhatsApp ( a Meta Company)
  • This is the app for our travel vendor and includes a live schedule with details for each day including locations, activities and dress code.  
  • There will be a private group for the trip where all students will join and participate. There may be channels for photos or fun things.  
  • Students can set up small group chats or communicate privately with leaders. 
  • Communication is expected via WhatsApp during travel. 

Course and Travel Costs

 

  • Undergraduates: Standard 3-credit course tuition costs plus fees.
  • Graduates: Tuition and fees vary based on your program’s 3-credit course cost plus fees. (ex: MBA vs non-MBA or non-Merrick School of Business programs)  
  • All required costs are included in the fee paid to the travel vendor.  
  • Price varies from trip to trip but ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.  
  • Price includes airfare, hotel, shuttle, all breakfasts, one group dinner, all ground transportation and any required group activities. 
  • All Merrick School of Business students are eligible to receive the Wright Global Business Scholarship
  • The scholarship is $1,500
  • Students may receive a Wright scholarship once as an undergraduate and once as a graduate student.
  • The scholarship is applied to the travel cost ONLY and not received in hand by the student. 
  • A thank you note after the trip to Mr. Vernon Wright is required.  
  • Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for any questions related to using their financial aid to cover travel costs.  
  • It is up to each student to research the country of travel and decide how much money to spend on the trip for meals, activities and other purchases.  

Course Expectations and Responsibilities

  • You are expected to respond within 24 hours to any messages (calls, emails) from the MSB Dean’s Office or course faculty 
  • We will only use UBalt email or WhatsApp groups for communication. You are expected to respond via those methods.  
  • Every course will have two pre-trip meetings that are mandatory. At least one of the pre-trip meetings will be held on campus. Exceptions to in-person meetings are by permission ONLY and must be requested in advance. For example, students who live outside of the Baltimore metro area are excused from in person meetings but are still expected to communicate this with faculty.  
  • A voluntary trip to the embassy will be about a month prior to travel.  
  • There will be pre-trip assignments that are a graded aspect of the course.  
  •  In the case of the Winter and Summer GFS courses, the work will occur outside of the semester but is still a mandatory component. 
  • Punctuality and professionalism at trip activities as a major graded aspect of the global field study program. 
  • For example, showing up late or not engaging with guest speakers will result in loss of points.  
  • All group activities are mandatory.  
  • There will be one post-trip meeting for final presentations. The faculty member will schedule it.

Categorized As
Merrick School of Business