Korea's study hard, play hard culture can be a surprise for international students

Students study at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' library ahead of their final exams. [YONHAP]

Korean students are well-known for their educational fervor, and universities are no exception. Although college students have much more time to enjoy their campus life than high school students, they still tend to be highly motivated to score well on tests and assignments.

This intense academic environment can come as a shock to some international students, but there are plenty of ways for those struggling to adjust to reach out for help.

“I think I just accepted my fate that I would spend a lot of time working here," said Henry Spence, an exchange student from the United Kingdom to Seoul National University. "I’m trying to harness some of that Korean work ethic.”

Liliana Neri, an exchange student from the United States studying psychology at Korea University, also says she struggled with the academic intensity.

“I realize that some classes here are harder than classes back at home," said Neri. "I feel like my psychology class here is harder because I am expected to thoroughly know about all the textbook experiments that I learned in class.”

Although it may be difficult at times, some students take on the challenge and use it to motivate themselves. Ida Hovik, a political science student from Norway studying at Yonsei University, turned the experience into a positive one.

“You really do get affected by your environment, so my time at Yonsei has been a privilege in the sense that I’ve been studying with so many bright and diligent students who in turn make me want to improve my own academic performance,” said Hovik. “But I do find it difficult to balance studying with social life, and Yonsei students seem generally talented at having great social lives while somehow still managing good grades.”

For those who are having a hard time, diving into a school's academic resources is one way of overcoming the struggles.

For Hali Ann Moran, an exchange student from the United States studying sociology at Korea University, it was the school's library that helped. The library had a very comfortable atmosphere and offered a hard-working environment for her to focus on studies. She was surprised by the huge libraries and other study spaces on campus, and also by the accessibility of printing cafes and bookstores that made studying easier.

"I was not prepared for how many resources were provided for the students," said Moran. "It really puts into perspective what it means to go to one of the best universities in a country.”

Apart from the exceedingly studious environment, international students are met with two main challenges — course registration and the language barrier — that make studying at Korean universities even more difficult.

Korean universities are notorious for their complicated, first-come-first-served course sign-up systems. Korean freshmen often struggle with this process and are guided by their seniors with tips on how to enter course codes quickly. Learning tips to check the exact server time of course registration websites is important knowledge handed down, key to ensuring that students click the sign-up button at the exact right time.

Course registration is bound to be as challenging, if not more, for international students who have to cope with a language barrier. However, exchange students and first-year full-time international students often find it more difficult to access adequate information and helpful tips, as they are expected to sign up a couple weeks before starting school when they might not even be in the country.

Of course, international students are not left alone to fend for themselves.

Spence remarks that exchange students are provided with comprehensive handbooks that guide them through the registration process. He was also appreciative of the Office of International Affairs, which was always willing to help out.

Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement.

“Rather than providing insanely long handbooks, it may be better to try to make the process itself easier,” said Spence.

Another key challenge that international students face is the language barrier, especially within the classroom. Although Korean universities have made efforts to increase English-spoken lectures to globalize their image and attract foreign students, the reality is that some of the classes are not smoothly conducted in English.

“I have no expectations that people should speak English perfectly, but I was surprised when my professor of an English-spoken course asked me to simplify or translate my essay into Korean,” said Moran from Korea University. "Given our university’s propensity to assign professors English courses rather than allow them to freely choose the language they teach in, I think our classes are often limited by the professor’s English ability.”

For many, quickly learning Korean has been the only option when their classes, supposed to be taught in English, suddenly require fluency in Korean or assignments done in Korean. To help international students overcome this barrier, many organizations and universities are offering various programs to help.

Neri, from Korea University, is a part of a Korean language class offered by the International Student Fellowship (ISF) program. ISF, a non-profit organization registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, initially started the Korean language class to offer free opportunities for international students to learn Korean and enhance their learning experience in the classroom. Neri learned of the program through a professor who is an ISF advisor, and found that the ISF KU program adequately placed her with students at her level and helped her improve her Korean ability.

The Language Education Institute at Seoul National University offers a similar Korean language buddy program. Foreign students can apply for a one-on-one language session with mentors who have passed the Korean language teaching training course. This language buddy program allows international students to specifically improve their Korean skills and thus benefit their studies.

BY STUDENT REPORTER LEE DA-EUN [kjd.kcampus@gmail.com]