Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Both the Korean language and learning in general are national obsessions, stretching back
into antiquity, feted with holidays and ceremonies, and agonized over by parents and their
children. And both rank among the biggest concerns of expatriates, who fret about their
ability to communicate with the locals and how to further their own or their children's edu-
cation. These are legitimate concerns, but the good news is that there's an abundant and
growing number of resources, both within South Korea and abroad, to help any new resid-
ent tackle these issues.
The South Korean education system is known for being rigid and academically rigorous,
but it has been instrumental in the country's economic success and regularly tops inter-
national rankings in areas like math skills and the proportion of students pursuing higher
education. A number of international schooling options also exist for parents who prefer
that their children follow global curricula. Local universities have also expanded programs
for foreign learners and now offer a number of degrees in partnership with schools outside
South Korea.
