A Genius Student from Vietnam... What Lies Ahead for 300,000 International Students?

Hoang Huong Giang, a genius student from Vietnam who recently drew widespread attention with news of her studying abroad in South Korea. After ranking first nationwide in Vietnam's university entrance exam and achieving a perfect score on the SAT, an American college admission test, she chose KAIST in South Korea instead of prestigious universities in the U.S. or Europe. She made this decision because she determined it was a great environment to study artificial intelligence and computer science, fields she is interested in. Expressing a desire to apply the knowledge learned through research to the real world rather than just focusing on grades, Giang shared her ambition to continue her research activities by working at a South Korean company after graduation if the opportunity arises.

Like Giang, the number of international students coming to South Korea, including top global talent, is increasing every year. The number of international students, which was around 150,000 in 2020, has surpassed 300,000 this year. As young people from all over the world gather to experience South Korean education and culture, the landscape of university towns is changing.

Sagar, a Nepali international student, starts his day in a semi-basement home in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Having come to South Korea dreaming of a better future, he is studying hotel and restaurant management at a university outside the capital area. Living in Seoul, where there are more jobs, to earn living expenses, he greets customers and delivers food at a gamjatang (pork bone stew) restaurant on days without classes. Now ahead of graduation, his hope is to settle down in South Korea by utilizing what he learned at school.

International students are also busy preparing for employment at a university in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Here, where more than half of the total student body—5,700 students—consists of international students, the school strengthens technical education necessary for industrial sites and helps them find jobs by connecting with companies. Miraziz, a young man from Uzbekistan and a graduate, also joined a semiconductor equipment parts manufacturer through a professor's recommendation. Having secured a job, he plans to bring his family to South Korea next year to live together. Companies suffering from a shortage of workers also highly evaluate the on-site adaptability of international students who have learned skills and the Korean language, and are looking to increase hiring. Moving beyond degree acquisition to employment and settlement, the futures international students are picturing in South Korea are changing.

Zhang Meng, a Chinese student continuing job preparations at a study cafe in Seoul. Having come to study abroad in 2014 out of a fondness for South Korean content, she majored in media and communication and even earned a master's degree, but has failed to find the job she wants for three years since graduation. Zhang Meng says that facing repeated rejections after applying to nearly 100 companies has made her doubt her own abilities. Nevertheless, she says it is difficult to give up her dream in South Korea, where she poured a long time and passion.

The employment barriers faced by international students are difficult to overcome with individual effort alone. Experts point out that it is a national loss when top talent who have learned South Korean language and culture and even received university education return home without finding jobs. They emphasize that institutional support is needed so these individuals can settle in South Korea.

This week's SBS "News Story" examines the reality of young people who chose South Korea in the era of 300,000 international students, and highlights what is necessary for their education to lead to employment and settlement.

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