Fulbright U.S. Education Center

The U.S. government has published its latest “SEVIS by the Numbers” report, and it shows that the number of Korean students in the United States has increased significantly since the June 2008 report.  South Korea remains the country with the highest number of sctive students, 115,852.  That represents an increase of 12,463, or about 12 percent over the June data.  The most popular field of study for international students in the U.S. continues to be Business, management and marketing, followed by engineering, basic skills, and computer-related sciences in that order.  

One interesting aspect of these numbers is that they show an increase at the same time that the won exchange rate against the U.S. dollar weakened considerably.  However, the data also reflect the summer vacation months and therefore may show an increase in the number of Koreans coming to the U.S. for intensive English or other special programs during the summer of 2008.

A report in today’s Korea Times about a recent survey by the National Statistical Office caught my eye.  According to a survey of 42,000 people over 15 years old from 20,000 families nationwide, 48.3 percent of those over 30 with children wanted to send them overseas to study. Among the mostly high-paid professionals or office workers, about half wanted overseas education from elementary school level.

The survey also questioned why parents wanted to send their children overseas.  A majority responded that they wanted their children to have an international sense of living, but 27.3 percent said they did not like the Korean education system; 16.6 percent wanted their children to learn in a liberal atmosphere; and 13.1 percent wanted them to learn a foreign language easily.

The Korea Times reports today that Ewha Womans University will open a TESOL graduate school next March to meet the growing demand for English teachers.  Ewha, the oldest and biggest women’s school in Korea, will recruit 40 students at the end of the year and work together with the University of London Institute of Education on dual degree programs. Ehwa President Lee Bae-yong also said she wants to push for globalization projects. Ewha will set up eight more global centers in overseas universities. So far, Ewha has built centers in 12 cities including New York, Beijing, Boston, Tokyo and Hong Kong for networking. With the bases, it aims to send 60 percent of freshmen to sister universities as part of global outreach programs by 2010.

As reported in the Digital Chosun, from August 25, 2008, all newly issued Korean passports will be electronically readable. The e-passports store holders’ identification data in a built-in electronic chip in the back cover of the passport to prevent fabrication. It looks the same as the older passports. (see the accompanying graphic.  Click on the graphic to see a full-size version) Only e-passports will work for the visa waiver program to the U.S., which is expected to begin later this year. Those without a U.S. visa will be able to enter the U.S. by switching to the new e-passports and will be able to stay up to 90 days under the visa waiver program, once that is enacted.

In the first half of 2008, Korean expenditures on education and language training abroad fell by the biggest margin since the 1997 financial crisis. According to a Bank of Korea report on the balance of international payments released Sunday, Koreans spent US$2.256 billion on overseas training in the first half of 2008, down 5.8 percent, or $138 million year on year. 

According to an article in the Chosun Ilbo, the falling figures are due primarily to worsening financial conditions, including a weaker local currency and a slowing economy, although some attribute this phenomenon to Koreans’ reduced preference for overseas studying and language training.   Some analysts have suggested that the phenomenon of sending children overseas at younger and younger ages has peaked.  For further detail, read the full article.

The latest SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), published by the U.S. government in June,  shows that South Korea remains the country with the highest number of Active students (103,389). 68% of active students are enrolled in Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral programs. The leading major among international students continues to be Business, accounting for 137,311 international students.  It is followed, in rank order by Engineering, Basic Skills, Computer and Information Sciences, and Health Professions and related Clinical Sciences. Language training and Associate degrees also account for a substantial portion of international students in the U.S., while secondary, elementary and vocational training take up smaller percentages.

According to press reports, the number of elementary and middle school students studying overseas doubled over the past two years.  The Korea Times reported that  “In 2007, a total of 15,237 children from elementary and middle schools left Korea, compared to 7,090 in 2005. Most studied overseas for six months or longer, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The departure of those in primary schools has shown a two-fold increase each year since 2005. It rose to 8,298 in 2007 up from 2,453 in 2005. Middle school students showed a moderate increase from 2,520 in 2005 to 4,379 last year. However, the number of high school students studying overseas is falling. Peaking at 3,466 in 2006, the figure dropped to 2,560 last year”