Korean Infusion 한국 주입 hangug ju-ib
School 학교 hak-kkyo
Each year thousands of South Korean students come to the U.S. Their culture has instilled in them that to be successful they must have the best education. Many students decide to study abroad to get out of the extremely competitive education system.
English has become the dominant language in Asia’s business world. Studying in the U.S. has become more than just an escape from the competitive education system. It is now what employers in South Korea are interested in the most. With the job market being overcrowded, parents think that a degree from a foreign country holds more weight for students to get a job since most companies are starting to require potential employees send in English proficiency scores.
Korean Education System 한국 교육 시스템 hangug gyoyug siseutem
Before students even enter into the college life, they have to endure classes six days a week and go to crams schools or have private tutors to prep for college entrance exams. Getting to come to the U.S. for college is like a breather for them. Of course they still study hard but the American education system is less strenuous in comparison and gives them more freedom to do other things besides study all the time. Here they can enjoy the weekends whereas in South Korea they would have school on the weekends. The public school system requires students to attend two Saturdays per month.
The school year is divided into two semesters from March to July and August to February. The system in divided into three parts: six years of elementary, three years of middle, and three years of high school. For each age group, the kids learn differently. Kindergarten to third grade, the students learn about etiquette and how to behave in society. Fourth through ninth grade, they are taught how to be respectful citizens and make rational decisions. In high school, the focus is on understanding other cultures and the importance of keeping the peace. The standard curriculum for all students is moral education, Korean language, history, math, science, P.E., music, and art.
High School 고등학교 godeunghaggyo
High schoolers are expected to study even before they reach their first class at 8 am. The classes are 45-50 minutes long with a short morning break and 50 minute lunch before class continues at 1pm until 4:30pm. Even after class they don’t go home because they have to clean the classrooms.
These students are always stressed about their grades, future, and how their behavior reflects the family.
Korean students have one of the highest scores for testing in the world. Over 90% of the students graduate on time and for one of them to drop out is almost unheard of because they feel such a great responsibility to their families to do well. They believe in ‘chemyon’ which means they want to do their best so it will honor the family’s image. They feel pressured to be perfect academically.
Minority Myth 소수 신화 sosu sinhwa
Many Asian students are stereotyped by the minority myth. It’s a belief that a racial or ethnic group is socioeconomically successful based on the group they are in. Many think that Asian students are smart because they are Asian. That is completely false. They are just like every other student. Some are naturally gifted and some need extra studying.
Those that are successful got there because of hard work. With the education systems being so competitive Korean students have to study 13 hours a day in the hopes of getting into college. Studying abroad may be their only chance to get away from the pressure that society has placed on them to succeed.