The student-driven model
SISS is a student-led international affairs society at Yonsei + SNU. Members typically apply for 1-2 semester exchange programs at peer universities — Harvard, Oxford, Todai, Beida. Language preparation was always ad-hoc; some members hired private tutors, some used apps, results varied widely.
Why they consolidated
In 2025, SISS hired a coordinator + negotiated a cohort-pricing deal with Koydo. Members get group rates for the language matching their target exchange country. Tutors deliver TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS prep (English-bound), JLPT prep (Japan-bound), HSK prep (China-bound), DELE prep (Spain-bound).
Outcomes year 1
240 members across 4 language tracks. Exchange acceptance rate jumped from 76% (pre-SISS) to 94% (post-SISS). Most-improved language was Mandarin (members started with no Mandarin + needed HSK 4 in 12 months). 18 members went from zero Mandarin to HSK 4 pass; SISS now sends 6× more students to Chinese universities than 2 years ago.
Cost structure
SISS pays Koydo monthly per cohort; members pay a $50/semester society fee that covers their language prep. Compared to private tutoring market rates ($40-80/hour in Seoul), cohort pricing is ~70% cheaper per student. SISS scholarship fund covers ~30 members who can't afford even the discounted rate.