Seoul Study Tour

Enterprise Innovation & Entrepreneurial Practice

  • Dates: June/July 2020
  • Benefits include a $3000 New Colombo Plan Travel Grant to assist with costs
  • Eligible students can also receive OS-HELP up to $8,295

The program provides an opportunity for 12 undergraduate students to embark on a 2-week study tour of the business start-up and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Seoul. Funded by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, the focus is on innovative business approaches. Students will engage with entrepreneurial business owners and managers to explore local attitudes and approaches to contemporary business practices  under the guidance of an academic mentor from the School of Business. The study tour will be completed in conjunction with the capstone engagement unit in the undergraduate Business program 200568 Contemporary Management Issues or 200863 Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

Please refer to the DRAFT itinerary for more information.

What will I Study?

  • Students will engage directly with the Seoul Business community, with particular focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, international markets, trade and culture. Because Seoul is a key player in the Asian business region, students will have access to Business and professional knowledge, skills and opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them in Western Sydney.
  • The project is more than a cultural immersion program: students will study innovative business approaches to (i) enhance their own graduate career prospects, and (ii) bring back to Western Sydney their studied insights to contribute to enterprise innovation practice here, giving them sustained credit-ability and leadership in business innovation at both regional and domestic levels.

Will I receive academic recognition?

The study tour will be completed in conjunction with the capstone engagement unit in the undergraduate Business program 200568 Contemporary Management Issues or 200863 Leadership and Entrepreneurship. The assessments will involve a pre-tour exploratory project and regular reflections, and the production and presentation of a final research report (conducted in pairs).

Are there any cultural excursions?

The overseas experience will include visits to cultural sites and places of interest, and students will be at liberty to explore the destination further in their free time, during the evenings and on weekends.

What type of accommodation will I be staying in?

The students will be accommodated together at a 3-4 star city hotel, in twin share facilities, with access to 24/7 support, and an in-country tour facilitator.

How much does it cost?

  • The costs of the study tour include the expenses of facilitating the visits to Businesses and start-ups, airfares, accommodation, breakfasts, transfers, in-country study-related travel and some additional meals.
  • Eligible students selected for this opportunity will be supported by a $3,000 grant as part of the Federal Government's New Colombo Plan initiative.
  • Students will need to pay approximately $2,000-3,000 not covered by the grant. Students will have access to the Government's OS-HELP program to cover this (see below). Students should also budget for an amount for their personal expenses.
  • During the program students will be covered by Western Sydney University's student travel insurance.
  • Program Fee Changes: The School of Business reserves the right to vary program fees in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by partners or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, participants are required to pay the increase when notified or may cancel a program which may result in cancellation fees.
  • Program Cancellations: The School of Business reserves the right to cancel any program if there are insufficient registrants (in the rare case that minimum numbers may apply) or if the School of Business determines it is in the best interest of the applicants’ safety and quality of programming to cancel the program. The School of Business is not responsible for costs incurred by applicants preparing for a program. Should a program be cancelled for any reason, applicants will, where possible, be offered the option of positions in other School of Business opportunities, or a full refund on all fees paid.

Am I eligible for the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant?

  • The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.
  • Each eligible student selected for this opportunity will be supported by a $3000 New Colombo Plan Mobility grant
  • To be eligible you must be:
    • an Australian citizen
    • enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Western Sydney University
    • be aged 18-28 years
    • must not have received a New Colombo Plan Mobility grant on a previous occasion
    • receive academic recognition for the experience
  • Note: The Government requires that 70% of participants in the program must be between the ages of 18 and 28. Therefore 30% of participants can be 29 and over. If you are over the age of 28, you are still encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (currently under review).

What is OS-HELP?

  • You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,295 are available. Academic Approval is required; students must have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10 credit points remaining on return.

Conditions of Participation

  • The University of Western Sydney University is committed to demonstrating high standards of personal and professional conduct at all times. When participating in an overseas program, students must assume certain obligations to Western Sydney University (WS), the prospective country and other participants in a program. See Conditions of Participation in an Overseas Program.
  • The university reserves the right to vary program fees in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by partners or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, participants are required to pay the increase when notified or may cancel a program which may result in cancellation fees.

How to Apply - Deadline Sunday, 29 March 2020


STEP 1: Register Your Interest

  • To be considered for this opportunity, you will be required to answer the following questions and submit your Expression of Interest and CV (currently under review).
    • What is your motivation for participating in the program? (up to 50 words)
    • What do you hope to achieve from participating in the program? (up to 50 words)
    • How do you see the program contributing to your career? (up to 50 words)

STEP 2: Apply for Academic Approval

  • Discuss your preferred option with your Academic Course Adviser (ACA) or placement coordinator - visit your School website and see 'Contact'
  • To receive recognition for your overseas experience, it is important that you seek advice from your Academic Course Advisor and apply for academic approval at least 3 months prior to commencement. Find out how to apply for Academic Approval below: 

STEP 3: Apply for OS-HELP

  • You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,295 are available. Academic Approval is required; students must have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10 credit points remaining on return.
  • Note, depending on the program, some of the opportunities below provide a scholarship, tuition waivers, free or cheap accommodation etc.

STEP 4: Complete the 'Before I Go' Online Checklist

Complete the Online Checklist (opens in a new window) to ensure you have completed the important tasks before heading overseas. This includes applying for a Student Mobility Travel Grant and information about travel insurance


Further Advice

Dr Catherine Link c.link@westernsydney.edu.au.edu.au


Overseas Mobility Showcase – Want to learn more about the above study tour?

Information Session

5:30pm | Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Level 9, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta City Campus

Register Today! http://bit.ly/2TMW35g


New Colombo Plan Government Reference 19888