South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign country located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages. South Korea is now a liberal democracy and an economic powerhouse. The most prestigious comprehensive universities are Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University and Korea University.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

On-campus learning refers to attending classes in person. It typically involves going to traditional classes and lectures, participating in group activities, and engaging with faculty and peers in person. On-campus learning also often includes access to laboratories, libraries, and other campus resources such as student clubs, career services offices, and recreation centers.