Robotics, Computing and Culture in South Korea.

Think Outside The Classroom

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Prices from £1099*

Take your students out of the classroom for an inspiring journey in a country filled with culture and... robots. According to The Independent, South Korea is the first country to have robots making up over 10% of its workforce - so now is a great time to show your students how technology is embraced in everyday life and more interestingly, what developments may come next.

There is a lot of discussion to be had about the ethical considerations in AI and robotics on this trip too, especially surrounding job replacement and automation. Trips are roughly one third academic, one third cultural and one third fun to give a rewarding balance to participants, though the lines are often blurred.

Destinations in Asia

South Korea Seoul Busan Pohang

Seoul is the energetic and vibrant capital of South Korea and will be the main destination on this trip, with the Robot and AI museum, predictions of a technological future, university research, great food and buzzing neighbourhoods, theme parks and shopping opportunities.

Busan offers a contrast with a more relaxed vibe, especially around Haeundae beach where we will be based, and here alongside choreographed drone shows, robot dancing and the Science Museum, we can enjoy hikes to temples, a huge spa complex and a gravity luge.

Pohang, famous for its 'space walk' and 'hands of harmony', is also home to the Robo Life museum in the Korea Institute of Robotics and Technology Convergence and makes for an interesting place to visit on the journey from Seoul to Busan.

What they will learn

Subjects available: Science, Computing, Cultural

Korea has a unique culture and this trip will allow students to be fully immersed, with visits to historical palaces and Buddhist temples, food experiences such as hot pot and Korean BBQ, the energy and bustle of street markets filled with street performances, and even the opportunity to see how university life looks like in Seoul. It is of course possible to add more cultural elements to learn more about Korean history, take part in choreographed dancing and record a cover of favourite K-Pop hits, or even learn how to prepare the tasty dishes that are distinctive to Korea.

Computer science is supported and blended with physics, chemistry and biology on this trip to South Korea. Biotechnology comes alive alongside chemistry in a subterranean automated farm growing food of the future, and physics comes into question with the physical robots designed to do everything from inspection to evacuation. The interactive National Science Museum in Busan allows students to experiment with the concepts surrounding self-driving cars but also how submarines and ice breakers work alongside other enjoyable practical experiments.

When it comes to computing, students will be able to interact with robots in industry and everyday life, and be inspired by the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence before bringing ethics into the picture.

With robotics being a fusion of engineering and computer science, engineering students will also learn a lot from this trip, as well as being inspired in the possible future developments that technology may bring to their field. The Robot and AI museum shows the link between robots and real life, and leaves space to question other possible uses of robotic dogs or 'floating self-balancing balloon robots' to the students. Samsung's Innovation Centre will certainly inspire with propotypes of home improvement technology and a thought-provoking look at how other everyday problems can be solved through the technology currently in development. For more of an engineering focus, we can also add factory visits or a trip to the Hyundai Motor Studio in Seoul to see the developmental and innovation journey by the famous car maker.

What's included

On a typical week-long trip through South Korea, we will include the following elements, though we can change things around based on your needs and interests - just let us know.

Visit the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace palace from the Joseon Dynasty and learn about Korean history.

Wander through Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighbourhood of traditional "hanoks" (Korean homes).

Enjoy a stroll through the buzzing Hongdae neighbourhood full of music, shopping and street performances, and play four floors' worth of arcade games at Zzang Arcade.

Experience the Robot and AI Museum: Seoul's newest museum, built by robots, which offers an interactive insight into the world of robots and artificial intelligence. Try your hand at controlling a robotic dog and see other robots in action. Here you will also have an opportunity to program robotic arms or surgical robots - or even try AI DJing.

Explore Seoul's famous shopping and street food Myeong-dong district, with a classic Korean BBQ, where you cook the food yourself on a grill in the centre of the table.

Find out about achievements made in engineering and technology and future development ideas and plans at Samsung's Innovation Centre in Suwon - including some prototypes in a mock up of a Samsung future home. You'll also learn more about microchips, random access memory and LCD vs LED displays with hands-on interactive exhibits.

Meet robots that are already part of our daily lives, knowingly and unknowingly at Pohang's Robo-life museum.

Admire the choreographed dance of drones flying to spell out messages against the night sky at Gwangalli Beach in Busan.

Hike to see the rock carved Buddha reliefs in Seokbulsa Temple located high on a mountain outside Busan, via a panoramic cable car ride. If weather conditions are poor, or if you prefer, you can relax at the jjimjilbang at Korea’s largest spa complex: Spa Land Centum City.

Explore Busan National Science Museum, where you can play with robotic fish, see robots dance, try coding with physical blocks, or try the multiple simulators.

Enjoy a very practical application of gravity to literally come down from the day at Busan's Skyline Luge - go karts with gravity plus a zip line.

Rush back to Seoul by high speed bullet train, travelling over 300km/h, an attraction in itself.

Visit the world's largest underground shopping centre in Gangnam which also boasts an aquarium and library.

Tour the Seoul National University or Korea University, offering an opportunity to find out about the latest computing and robotics research, such as the healthcare robotics lab at SNU.

Visit Lotte World Amusement Park to enjoy the attractions of this large indoor and outdoor theme park.

Sing and enjoy the Korean pasttime of noraebang (which you may know as karaoke).

Visit Seoul Smart City to see predictions of life in 30 years with integration of technology into urban planning and government functions, or T.um, to experience how AI, VR and robots will converge with industry in the future of IT.

Cruise along the Han river including a view of Banpodaegyo “moonlight rainbow fountain” bridge.

Optionally, it is also possible to visit the DMZ to see into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and learn about the Korean War, arrange a visit to Hynudai Motor Studio, or even take part in a K-Pop dance workshop.

Transport

Seoul is easy to reach with many flight options, though it can often be a lot cheaper to organise connecting flights instead of direct flights with around 3 hours between flights. In Korea, for groups up to 30 students, we recommend using the excellent public transport system to get around in the cities of Seoul and Busan, and only use a coach to visit further attractions. We can however organise a coach for every day of the trip, though this is not as cost effective.

Accommodation

In Seoul and Busan, we can either arrange to stay in hostel accommodation with students sharing dormitory rooms (4-6 students per room) and teachers in private rooms, or stay in simple hotel accommodation with students sharing twin rooms. It is also possible to arrange self-catering at the hostel accommodation.

Teacher checklist

Risk Assessments, Free Places, Education Packs, ATOL

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* Guide prices are per person, based on eight days in Korea, 30 students with 3 free teacher places, staying in hostel accommodation and using public transport, subject to availability and may vary by departure date, group size and itinerary. International flights are extra. Please ask for details.

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