Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The general sentiment seems to be that the emphasis on structure and rote learning does a
fine job of developing students' science and mathematics skills, thereby preparing them for
a career in one of the country's technological or industrial powerhouses. But as the service
and creative industries have grown in importance and South Korean companies compete on
an increasingly international stage, many worry the educational system has failed to keep
pace and that more emphasis on creativity and critical thinking is needed. Some tentative re-
forms have been introduced, but many of the system's features—including occasional cor-
poral punishment and an abundance of exams—have remained unchanged for decades.
Foreign residents of South Korea are free to send their children to local schools in their
area, and fees are minimal to nonexistent. Given language barriers and differing education-
al philosophies, however, most opt to send their children to international schools, which are
found throughout the country but are especially concentrated in Seoul and Busan.
Students typically graduate from high school and start university at age 19, mainly entering
four-year undergraduate degree programs, although young men may start later and take
longer to finish a degree as they also have to complete two years of mandatory military
service. Quite a high percentage of high school graduates go on to university because vo-
cational schools have an image problem and a degree is seen as a necessary first step to a
successful career.
At the end of each year, months of intensive cramming culminate in punishing university
entrance exams, a heated race that decides who will seize the coveted few spots in the coun-
try's top schools. These institutions, crowned by the so-called “SKY” triumvirate of Seoul
National, Korea, and Yonsei Universities, produce the vast majority of the country's top
civil servants and business leaders, and gaining admission to one is basically a guarantee of
prestige and prosperity.
Much like their Western counterparts, most South Korean universities offer bachelor,
master's, and postgraduate degree programs. The academic calendar is typically divided in-
to two semesters, one running February-June and the other August-December.
Most universities will accept applications from international students in September or
October for programs starting in the spring semester, or in April or May for programs start-
ing in the fall, but not all have English-language degree programs available. Universities
generally require proof that an applicant has completed high school, or a bachelor's degree
if a postgraduate degree will be pursued. Some universities require new students to pass a
Korean language proficiency test if Korean is the language of instruction. Tuition fees at
