South Korea is often told as an East Asian success story: after the war, it rose from one of the region’s poorest countries to a global centre for industry, technology and culture. Alongside Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, it is known as one of Asia’s “Four Tigers” and for the “Miracle on the Han River”. Yet this miracle also carries difficult questions: soaring housing costs, high suicide rates, a low birth rate, population ageing and social inequality. How has economic growth changed everyday life? Who benefits, and who is left behind? What responses are possible, and what can Vietnam learn from South Korea’s development story?

Korea Alternatives Fellowship 2026 is a scholarship and financial-support programme connected to Vcil Travel School South Korea IV: “From the Miracle on the Han River to Alternative Pathways”. We are looking for people who do more than visit South Korea: people ready to observe, ask questions, listen, seek collaboration, expand their networks and turn what they learn into meaningful stories, research, educational tools or practical action in Vietnam.

Fellows will join Vcil Travel School South Korea IV, taking place 14–24 October 2026. The journey moves through Seoul and communities in Ulsan and Busan, meeting social initiatives and community leaders.

This is an intensive experiential-learning programme with substantial walking and travel on public transport. Accommodation is basic and may include dormitories or shared community living. Participants learn through field visits, workshops and conversations with experts, researchers, local communities and people building social initiatives in South Korea.

Key themes include:

• Modern history, East Asian development models and the contradictions of South Korea’s growth.
• Peace on the Korean Peninsula and social initiatives for peace.
• Grassroots social initiatives.
• Religious renewal, volunteering, simple living and community organising.
• Rural regeneration.

Learn more about the journey: Vcil Travel School South Korea IV

The fellowship is open to people aged 18 and above who can join the full field journey and complete the post-trip outputs. We especially encourage applications from:

• People working in journalism, film, photography, podcasting, design, independent writing or in-depth communications.
• Students, emerging researchers, educators and learning designers.
• Community practitioners, cooperatives, social enterprises, non-profits and social initiatives.
• People developing an initiative that can be applied after the journey in their community, classroom or organisation.
• People with limited financial resources, from areas with fewer opportunities to access international programmes, or working in community roles with low income.

You do not need a large following, a university degree, prior international travel or professional equipment. What matters is clear learning motivation, a strong fit with the programme and a realistic commitment to post-trip outputs.

You should have enough English to learn, communicate and exchange. This is not a strict requirement: interpretation support can be arranged where needed. Because the journey involves simple living conditions and physical activity, please consider your capacity to participate carefully.

• Participate fully in onboarding and the South Korea journey.
• Create one substantial main output within 4–6 weeks after the trip.
• Run one sharing or application activity in Vietnam within 8 weeks after the trip.
• Respect consent, privacy and the voice of local partners and communities; verify information and avoid extractive use of community imagery.
• Share drafts that mention local partners or people for a check of accuracy and sensitivity before publication.
• Proactively update the team when support or changes are needed.

Applications will be reviewed for fit with the spirit of deep learning, slow travel and community responsibility; the quality of the learning question; capability or potential for community impact; the feasibility of application in a community, classroom or organisation; collaborative spirit; and financial-support need.

Your application is expected to include:

• Online application form.
• A portfolio or 1–3 representative works. If you do not yet have a portfolio, you may submit a sample piece.
• A short proposal for a post-trip output or pilot.
• Information on financial-support needs and the amount you can contribute.
• A referee (not required at the application stage; may be contacted after shortlisting).