We invite overseas Korean teens and college and graduate students to the 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens & Youth Camp where you can raise your identity and pride as Koreans. Don’t miss your chance to learn the development of Korea and experience diverse cultural programs.
1. Overview
A. Goals
○ To develop participants' identity and pride as Koreans by providing opportunities to experience the historic and cultural excellence and socioeconomic development of Korea for next-generation overseas Koreans
○ To cultivate ethnic familiarity through exchange and networking between next-generation overseas Koreans and those residing in Korea
○ To cultivate global leaders who can contribute to the prosperity of humanity and making Korea as one of the most important global countries
B. Eligibility
○ Teens
- Overseas Koran teens aged 15 to 18 (as of Jul. 1, 2024)
○ College (graduate) students
- Overseas Korean college or graduate students (incl. those expected to enter) aged 18 to 25 (as of Jul. 1, 2024)
C. Period and No. of Participants
- Each person can participate in one session only.
- You are required to provide your preferred session (1st or 2nd choice). Note that you may be allocated to a nonpreferred session depending on the circumstances.
Category | Period | Invited | |
1st | Teens | Jul. 15–21, 2024 (Mon–Sun, 7 days) | 300 |
2nd | Teens | Jul. 22–28, 2024 (Mon–Sun, 7 days) | 300 |
3rd | College (graduate) students | Jul. 23–29, 2024 (Tue–Mon, 7 days) | 300 |
4th | Teens | Jul. 29–Aug. 4, 2024 (Mon–Sun, 7 days) | 300 |
5th | Teens | Aug. 5–11, 2024 (Mon–Sun, 7 days) | 300 |
6th | College (graduate) students | Aug. 6–12, 2024 (Tue–Mon, 7 days) | 300 |
＊ Teens and college students in Korea to be selected separately for the sessions
D. Venue
○ Teens
- Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul and Incheon) and other regions (Gyeongju)
○ College (graduate) students
- Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul) and other regions (Gyeongju)
E. Programs
○ Refer to Attachment 1. 2024 Plan for OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp (Draft)
○ Refer to Attachment 2. 2024 Plan for OKFriends Homecoming Youth Camp (Draft)
2. Application
A. Application Period
○ Announcement date – Mon, Apr. 22, 2024
* Application deadline: 11:59 PM, Apr. 22 (KST)
B. Eligibility & Preferred Applicants
○ Eligibility: Overseas Korean students who have legally resided abroad for five years or more
- (Teens) Overseas Korean teens aged 15 to 18 (as of Jul. 1, 2024)
- (College students) Overseas Korean college or graduate students (incl. those expected to enter) aged 18 to 25 (as of Jul. 1, 2024)
· Overseas Korean residents, overseas Koreans with permanent residency, Korean nationals, adoptees, children of adoptees, and children from multicultural families
· Students must be in good physical and mental health and able to participate fully in the program
○ Preferred Applicants
- Those who wrote self-introductory letters and reasons for application with enthusiasm
- Those who are fluent in Korean
- Descendants of persons of distinguished services to independence or the State
- Those who excel in different categories
- Those who have received awards in academic fields and other extracurricular activities
- Those who have completed a significant amount of service in the overseas Korean society or their community
C. Application Method & Required Documents
○ Application method: Applicants should visit www.korean.net, create an account, and submit an application
○ Required documents
- Fill out the required fields in the online application form (Korean or English)
① Application form and personal data provision and use consent form
② Self-introductory letter (English or Korean)
③ Certificate of enrollment or admission letter (Upload via the website)
- Optional documents (Upload via the website, max. 5 documents)
① Copy of proof of special skills or awards
② Recommendation letter (principal or counselor)
○ Notes
- All documents should be uploaded via www.korean.net.
- E-mail, phone number, emergency contact, and contact in Korea must be accurate.
- Enter your frequently used e-mail address, as most of announcements will be sent by e-mail.
3. Selection Procedure & Standard
A. Selection Procedure
Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center | Applicants | Competent Consulate General | ||
Announcement | ➡ | Application submission | ➡ | Applicant recommendation |
• Korean Net website • Overseas Koreans Agency website • Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center website • All Consulate Generals of the Republic of Korea abroad | • Access www.korean.net • Create an account (ID and password) • Choose your preferred session • Upload the application form and required documents • Select your competent Consulate General • Check your application number • Check your e-mail to confirm your application | • Collection of applications • Review of application forms and documents submitted • Decision of recommended students • Official letter sent to participants selected with priority | ||
Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center | Applicants | Partner institution | ||
Selection of participants and notice | ➡ | Result check | ➡ | Announcement of |
• Selection of successful applicants • Notification of result - Korean Net website - Consulate Generals of the Republic of Korea abroad | • Access www.korean.net • Log in (ID and password) • Enter your application number • Check the result • You can check the result through your competent Consulate General | • Notification of students’ entry and departure schedule and participation in events | ||
B. Selection Standard
○ Applicants who have submitted all the required documents will be evaluated preferentially by the selection committee based on the following criteria:
- Recommendation from the competent Consulate General (for reference);
○ Ineligibility
- Those who failed to submit the required documents
- Those receiving treatment for medical conditions with neuropsychiatric manifestations and who could exhibit shock, seizures, or other abnormal behavior during the program
- Those who require special attention due to severe allergies to certain foods that may cause seizures or shock
4. Benefits for Participants
○ 50% of round-trip airfare (economy class), accommodation, meals, and traveler’s insurance (newly added)
○ Airfare subsidy standard
- 50% of round-trip economy class airfare* purchased to join the program
* The upper limit of airfare subsidies by region will be announced later.
* 100% of the airfare will be provided for Mexican/Cuban-Korean descendants and Korean adoptees and their children
- Airfare subsidies will be provided on the basis of the participant’s area of residence. If departing from areas outside of your area of residence due to your personal circumstances, airfare subsidies will be provided on the basis of the region of lower airfare
(Example) If you reside in Japan but depart from the U.S.: Airfare calculated on the basis of a ticket from Japan will be providedIf you reside in the U.S. but depart from Japan: Airfare calculated on the basis of a ticket from Japan will be provided
5. Result & Inquiry
○ Result * Detailed information including airfare will be notified to successful applicants.
- Check the result at www.korean.net after Fri, May 10, 2024
○ Inquiry (Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center)
- 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp
Relevant staff | Contact | E-mail |
Deputy Manager Hyun Myung-hun, Invitation Program Division | +82-2-3415-0183 | teenscamp@okocc.or.kr |
Assistant Manager Kim Ji-young, Invitation Program Division | +82-2-3415-0186 | |
Assistant Manager Kim Ji-hyeon, Invitation Program Division | +82-2-3415-0185 |
- 2024 OKFriends Homecoming Youth Camp
Relevant staff | Contact | E-mail |
Manager Shin Jung-sik, Invitation Program Division | +82-2-3415-0187 | youthcamp@okocc.or.kr |
Manager Oh Yoo-jin, Invitation Program Division | +82-2-3415-0184 |
- Korean Net application system
Relevant staff | Contact | E-mail |
Deputy Manager Kim Young-min, Record Exhibition Division | +82-2-3415-0144 | youngmin@okocc.or.kr |
- Attachment -
1.(English) Program for OKFriends Homecoming Teens Camp
2.(English) Program for OKFriends Homecoming Youth Camp
3.(English) Application for Homecoming Camp How to Use the Online System (for individuals)