Jeju learncation is transforming how South Koreans think about education, turning the island into a classroom by the sea. For example, university student Kim Seung-ju says the experience offers more than credits—it offers real-life engagement in a scenic setting. “This is nothing like school back in Seoul,” he said while taking photos in Seogwipo. Instead of traditional classrooms, students now trade lecture halls for volcanic trails and café workshops. As a result, this fusion of study and leisure continues gaining momentum nationwide.
Launched fully in 2024, the Jeju learncation has become a cornerstone of innovative education in South Korea. At the same time, the initiative values learning beyond the traditional classroom. Universities and local governments partner to offer credit-bearing programs rooted in place-based projects. In this way, students immerse themselves in communities while earning degrees and solving real problems. Jeju Island, long known for tourism, now leads this shift in educational culture.
Meanwhile, in Daejeong-eup on Jeju’s southwestern tip, students from Kyung Hee University are helping revive a struggling town. Through the Social Innovation School, they live among locals and complete 15-credit projects with real-world impact. For instance, from branding tangerine farms to designing scarves for farmers, students bring fresh energy to fading communities. The program stems from a national push to link education with regional revitalization. Jeju learncation places these efforts directly in areas that need them most.
Village leaders praise the change, noting how student projects spark pride in overlooked heritage. Specifically, Yang Chi-woo, a community leader, said students help residents see their culture with new eyes. “Their creativity showed us things we never noticed,” he said. Artistic installations, new café menus, and promotional materials now carry the students’ imprint. Professor Woo Dae-sik believes education can rescue endangered communities, not just observe their decline. Jeju learncation proves learning can directly support local survival.
Beyond university programs, the initiative also invites adults to experience Jeju through themed retreats that merge study with cultural exploration. A winter pilot program drew 60 participants to literary tours and geological hikes. Inspired by Han Kang’s novel, one group retraced the history of the Jeju April 3 Uprising. Others explored local tea rituals, led by renowned tea master Kim Maeng-chan. Consequently, Jeju learncation continues expanding with new themes like diving with haenyeo and exploring traditional cuisine.
This year, 2,000 participants are expected to join, including lifelong learners and international visitors. At the same time, organisers aim to scale the experience while preserving its depth and place-based roots. Furthermore, discussions are underway to form partnerships with global universities and institutions. Local green tea is also being elevated into a premium cultural symbol as part of the island’s broader rebranding. Jeju learncation, now more than a trend, is reshaping the meaning of meaningful education in South Korea.
