Two hundred thousand foreign students in Korea - myth or reality

In Korea, the number of foreign students reaches eighty-five thousand, is it possible to increase their number to two hundred? Yes, the South Korean government claims and wants to achieve this goal by 2023.

The South Korean government is developing a plan to increase the number of its foreign students. The government of the Russian Federation also provides financial and political support, namely: simplifying the visa regime for foreign students, expanding the base of English-language programs.

In 2011, the number of international students reached approximately nine hundred thousand, while last year the mark dropped to eighty-five thousand. This significant recession gave rise to a tendency to reduce foreign students, therefore, a plan is being created to solve this important problem.

About 75% of foreign students come from China, the rest from Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam, which allows maintaining a certain balance.

Impossible to refuse

How is the government willing to attract students? First of all, the new rules imply the creation of special programs and departments for foreign students, as well as the expansion of English-language programs, especially in the field of exact sciences. It also provides an opportunity to get a job for those who decide to stay in Korea after training.Student unemployment was one of the main reasons for the decline in the number of foreign students in 2011. This time, the Korean Ministry of Commerce is committed to supporting students in every possible way.Also, the simplification of the visa regime: now everyone can easily get an E-7 visa, regardless of their specialty.Funding for various short-term programs to study subjects in English. This will increase the number of people interested in studying it, which will raise the level of the higher education system in Korea.However, according to statistics, almost a third of university courses in Korea are already taught in English.

Korea has about 2% of foreign students pursuing higher education. Whereas in the UK or Australia 18-19%, this is a tangible difference. According to the calculations of the Korean Government, by 2023 the number of foreignstudents should increase to 5%.

There is no one to study

Korea's status in the International Student Association is determined by two components: first, the demographic problem, in particular, the decline in fertility. The demand for higher education in Korea peaked in 2012 and then declined. The Ministry of Education predicts that there will be many places in universities in 2018, and by 2023 there will be about one hundred and sixty thousand.In this regard, many educational institutions are now being reduced.

In 2008, Korea suffered from the economic crisis, therefore, the increase in the number of foreign students is an additional source for maintaining market relations. Teaching students from different countries will help overcome the difficulties of the language barrier and cultural differences, which in turn will allow Korea to reach a new level in the economy.