Mercer On Mission
Mercer On Mission
Community Service and Leadership • Engineering

South Korea

TRAVEL DATES:
May 14 – June 10, 2026
GENERAL INFO:
Embark on a mission that bridges cultures and builds futures. As a member of the Mercer On Mission South Korea team, you will join faculty and fellow students in a life-changing service-learning experience. You will work directly with students in grades 6-12 at Drim School and other alternative schools founded for North Korean refugees and their children. Your role will be to lead dynamic activities designed to improve their English language skills while introducing them to core concepts in engineering and science.

Meeting a Need

The students at Drim middle and high schools have shown incredible resilience, but their unique backgrounds and past experiences can present challenges as they adapt to life in South Korea. Success in this competitive society often hinges on strong English and technology skills. This Mercer On Mission program directly addresses this need, offering Mercer students the chance to provide the tools, mentorship and confidence that can empower these young learners to not only succeed but build productive and enriching lives.

What You'll Do

Your time in South Korea will be a powerful blend of meaningful service and unforgettable cultural immersion. At Drim School, you will:

  • Live and learn: Immerse yourself in the community by living on-site with the students, building genuine and lasting connections.
  • Teach and mentor: Lead engaging classroom activities and one-on-one sessions to boost students' English language abilities.
  • Innovate and inspire: Spark curiosity and critical thinking through hands-on engineering and science projects, including fun and interactive LEGO robotics activities.
  • Foster cultural exchange: Act as a cultural ambassador, helping students gain the confidence they need to prosper in a South Korean society that has adopted many Western ways.

You will also journey through Korea's rich and complex history with several days of sightseeing and other activities, including:

  • Historic sites of the Silla Dynasty (100-900 AD) and Chosun Dynasty (1400-1900 AD)
  • UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Korean War memorials (1950 AD) and the Demilitarized Zone
  • The vibrant, future-oriented city of Seoul
  • A unique opportunity to participate in the Korean War Remains program with the Korean Army

Our work is supported by key program partners, including the Center for Unified Korean Future and the Hana Foundation, which provides vital settlement support for North Korean refugees.

Kendall Ross

It was my first time abroad and the first time I feel I’ve made a difference in a community in a really tangible way. I found my way of life changing in that small amount of time. I want to push myself further and travel to other countries and even do work there. It kind of certified that I want to work with minority populations and help people that are less fortunate than me.

Kendall Ross
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Criminal Justice, ’25

Academic Courses

Students are required to sign up for six hours of credit. The registrar will enroll you in courses for your program, including one class from each of the program's faculty. 

  • CLA CSL 210.3TM-SKOR: International Service-Learning
  • EGR 495.3TM-SKOR: Special Topics: Introduction to Programming for Robotics with LEGO EV2
  • EGR EGR 495: Engineering and Science Projects
  • ETM 595.SKOR1: Global Learning: Design and Education of Engineering and Science Projects
  • ETM 595.SKOR2: Global Learning: Advanced Lego Robotics and Planning 

Faculty

  • Dr. Sinjae Hyun – Biomedical Engineering Professor and Chair, School of Engineering
  • Dr. Scott Schultz — Professor of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering 
  • Michael Marcoux – Industrial Engineering Lecturer, School of Engineering

Latest MOM News

Interested?

Students interested in participating in a Mercer on Mission program will need to complete an online application before being considered for admission.
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