If you love someone, let them go (overseas to learn English) p.1 - 유학하다
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009유학하다. Studying Abroad.
(Part one of two)
Where to begin? It’s a detailed subject with more asterisks and mixed emotions than I care to write about. I leave it up to the professionals. What I am curious about is the sheer number of 유학생 and how the number is growing each year. And if you thought that this is a recent trend, think again.
As you can imagine, the culture shock that ensues is pretty much on par with any weapon of mass destruction. I can think of few other cultures more polar opposite than America and Korea.
When the students arrive in their new home, there’s a developmental term that comes to mind: goodness of fit. Think of it. If a student always dreamed of a life of independence, self-reliance, individualism, and not-giving-a-flying-**** about what people think, then America will welcome you will open arms. You’ll be right at home.
However, for others, the life abroad will be too trying - much like a second term of mandatory military service. The isolation, culture shock, confusion, frustration, and shattered expectations will be something that make one miss Mom’s 김치 like never before. Plus, add to the equation English must be spoken pretty much at all times. That’s enough to stress any non-native speaker out. And why aren’t Americans speaking like they do in the textbook??
But like all things, there are exceptions. Some initially find themselves lost and frustrated but eventually find America to be their new home. Others will never fully adjust and will ultimately find a way back to Korea at the soonest possible opportunity. It was just never a good fit for them. Like a bad breakup…It’s not you, it’s me. Sorry America, I’m just not that into you.
Others are torn between obligation and choice. Some students are so pressured to stay in America after studying that they soon find themselves caught between two choices: do the right thing for my career and parents or go back to my home and live the life that I want to live. Not exactly a clear-cut choice to make. Both have life-long ramifications.
After coming back to Korea for a period of time abroad, some find that their “Koreaness” (for lack of a better word) has changed. I guess that’s what five years abroad does to a person. Others dig in in their new home abroad and find that Korea makes for a great vacation spot.
Here’s one possible explanation: (forgive the lack of documentation - this is just based on my own observations)
It’s no secret that young Korean students have a grueling academic schedule. Blame Confucius.
What does this crudely-made graph mean for us? Let’s consider two scenarios:
- - -
A - 현철 - “The Lucky Duck”
현철 was born in Korea and went to school in Korea until the end of fifth grade. Then, he and his family moved to America. He then attended junior and high school in the states and excelled academically. While studying in America, he maintained his Korean language and culture because of his family and local community. But, since he attended public school, he also developed relationships with people of different ethnicities. His Korean background made him rather unique to his friends. His impersonations of his mother are the stuff of comical legends. After high school, with his fluent English language skills, he moved back to Korea to attend a Korean university. He took a break to attend the Korean military and after completion, he finished his degree. He maintained his relationships in America and used them to further his own business, which he he now owns in a suburban city in America. Since he speaks colloquial English and Korean, his business caters to two very different demographics but with similar means of living and purchasing patterns. His business is doing just fine if you ask him.
현철 ended up avoiding the entire Korean 학원 system. He rejoined the Korean education system when things got a bit easier. Not to mention he caught the more relaxed side of each country’s education. But because he studied abroad and could speak English fluently, he was admitted to a decent university. Although his military assignment was a little taxing, he fully acculturated himself into both the American and Korean society. He is free to travel to and from Korea to maintain relationships in both countries.
He’s a lucky duck.
B - 은혜 - “Can’t catch a break”
은혜 was also born in Korea. She completed primary, middle, and high school in Korea. She then traveled to America by herself to attend an American university, but because of her poor English language skills, she had to first enroll in an English language school. After three and half years of formally studying English in America, she graduated from the language only to find out that her family wishes her to stay in America to complete her university degree. Although 은혜 had hoped to return to Korea, she decides to err on the side of prudence and pursues an American undergraduate degree. She spends the next five years hammering out a degree but because of the sometimes difficult academic English, she struggles to maintain respectable grades. She definitely works for her “C”. She graduates and discovers that the Korean economy is in worse shape than the one in America. Oh well. Might as well go for the master’s degree now and hope for things to improve in a few years. She can always get married later, right?
She spends ten years in a foreign country away from her friends, family and life as she knows it. Although she has developed a strong sense of independence that she did not have in Korea, she wonders if live in Korea will be like she even remembers. Not to mention that she attended the more difficult portions of Korean education only to find out that American universities are pretty competitive. Although her English is quite fluent, she lacks some of the more colloquial speech required to catch certain jokes and insults. Although this doesn’t alienate her completely, her accent doesn’t exactly make things easier for her to make American friends. Plus, even if she had time for boyfriends, American guys are kind of out there. Not exactly her type.
She can’t catch a break.
- - -
Granted these scenarios are just that - scenarios - but they’re not entirely far fetched. I would be lying if I said that these aren’t based on personal stories. Besides, the point is that all of their changes took place when they studied abroad.
But studying abroad, as common as it is, involves more than just the students. Regardless of age, these students have parents. And sometimes these parents don’t go abroad with their kids. So, what exactly can we expect their lives to be like?
Check back here next week for part two. Until then…
Thoughts?
Posted by Matthew in How Koreans Do It |
May 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Just an observation about Korean students in SIngapore - of late, I’ve heard more and more Korean being spoken in the malls around my neighbourhood (and not just in the more high-class “expat” areas) - e.g. a mum reading an English book to her kid in the library (and the kid kept going “이거 뭐야?”), a girl and her dad looking at the local primary school textbooks at a bookshop…
I guess the younger they go overseas, the better they get assimilated, and they often surpass their parents’ ability to adjust. They certainly gain in terms of language ability etc., but I suppose they also lose part of their Korean-ness.. hard to have best of both worlds.
May 13th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Well, there are Korean students in Norway as well, but I don’t suppose it’s the same, considering that they are here on bilateral agreements between my uni and 5 Korean ones, that they only stay a year and only need a pass grade (E). I occationally hear Korean, which is fun, but not when I’m trying to sleep, thank you Koreans who live in the building next to mine. =D Besides, our 3rd semester, we got in contact with a Korean girl and a Japanese girl, and they seemed to like Norway well enough.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I used to tutor Korean students in English when I lived in the US, and I have seen both sides of this. One of my students came to America of his own free will and was a very enthusiastic student. I don’t know if he stayed in the US after he finished university, but it’s entirely possible. My other student, on the other hand, was sent to America by his parents, and hated it. He only hung out with other Koreans, and skipped not only our private lessons but also his university classes as well. I’m pretty sure he was just waiting out his year until he could go back to Korea.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Well said Kelsey! I’ve noticed these two situations too - across all age groups, too. It’s amazing the level of isolation that some people seek out.
But now that I think about it, I suppose that this is a relatively normal reaction to being in a new environment. I’m thinking of expatriates in Korea and how some separate themselves from the Korean society as a whole.
And yet, there are other people in both American and Korea that do the total opposite and integrate themselves rather fully into the new culture and society.
@ Shan - I especially like what you said about being difficult to have the best of both worlds. It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it?
May 14th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Thanks Mat,
I have never been in their shoes, so I can’t tell or pretend to
understand it.
유학생 issue is certainly a subtle theme to discuss since our expereinces
from, among, with 유학생 are ample. So I am glad that you described this
as a mixed emotions based subject.
To consider a little more objective view include those if you desire
1) Figures
- 한국유학생 to overseas
- 유학생 from overseas to 한국
2) Reasons/ Motivations
3) Living conditions
4) Benefits
5) Statue
etc, etc?
p.s
Oh!! I realize you quote few lines from Chosun daily. well. well.
What voice color do you think Chosun has and appeal to public for?
it’s 1 of the top3 newspapers in Korea with conservative tone. It’s severe
to see their viewpoints to defense for government.
Hankyoreh is with a progressive tone. http://english.hani.co.kr/
It cares for public needs, human rights, social issues to meet normal
middle classies. Hope you get a fair viewpoints in Korean issues,
they both are quirky having their own
tones sometiems can go extreme!!! In expatriates point of view,
Koreans can’t go balance, can we? OR it’s really tiring to persuade
the other so we rather stay black or white.
let’s sometimes discuss after reading editorial or opinions on a exactly the
same topic that these 2 newspapers represent.
Cheers,
Saemi
May 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
1) Figures
- 한국유학생 to overseas
- 유학생 from overseas to 한국
I can find it if it’s available in Korean, I assume it’s likely, huh?
May 14th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
This is a rather interesting topic to me. I’m a graduate student in Chemistry and our class has many foreign students, including a couple Koreans. I have actually become very good friends with the two Korean students but they have complained to me many times about the difficulty they have adjusting here because of English.
(As part of the program, they were required to take some ESL classes, which I think is somewhat helpful.)
What kind of drives me crazy about them (and it is not just the Korean students, I just know them much better than the others) is that they complain about not speaking English as fluently as they would like, but they don’t try to assimilate themselves with the American students. Aside from me, they only hang out with their Korean friends and live with other Koreans.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that probably makes them feel more comfortable, but as part of the program they will be here for atleast 5 years. I don’t understand the point in coming to study in a foreign university and not befriending American students or learning more about American culture. I see this very easily with the 12 Chinese students in our program. They only hang out with each other, and as a result when they try to speak English, they have many difficulties. I am a big believer that if you immerse yourself into the situation where you HAVE to learn the language, you will. Especially by speaking with native speakers who can teach you more about common English rather than just textbook English. The foreign student who has the best English (he has even picked up alot of the slang and can make jokes, innuendos, etc) is one of the Chinese students who chose to live with an American student.
Sorry if that sounded like a rant, that’s just the experience and frustrations I have with this topic…
May 15th, 2009 at 5:45 am
@ 새미 - Thanks for chiming in! I’ve heard from a few friends about the history of some of the major newspapers. Frankly, it’s a fascinating topic to me.
Also, The motivations, reasons, living conditions and such are absolutely vital to understanding the Korean ideal of studying abroad. I agree that it is one of the more divisive subjects as no two people have the same background and experience.
And of course as always, I appreciate your input
@ Amanda - In the same vein, I feel that it is a lot about personality. If someone were to tell me that I were to move to a foreign country for an extended period of time, it all depends on my own attitude of the country, language, and life I will be living. In my case, if the country is Korea, well then I’m made in shade. Sign me up. If it’s Nepal, then I’m not exactly a happy camper. I don’t speak Nepali nor do I have any particular interest in learning the language. It’s nothing against this country but if I’m not motivated to integrate into the society or learn the language, then what’s the point, right?
I think this can be true about some 유학생. They go for many reasons, but some might be because it’s a sort of rite of passage, or it’s for their parents, or for their future job, etc. I agree that some of the logic is questionable but then again, to each his own, right? Perhaps the people you described aren’t “ready” to study abroad? Perhaps they will appreciate the experience after they leave? Perhaps
May 16th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Matt, thanks again for a great post.
I too didn’t like the fact that there are always clusters of Koreans that seemingly didn’t want to integrate into the society for other countries. Maybe my own personal experience can give some insight.
As a lot of people know, I grew up in America. But throughout my whole life, nearly all my friends are Korean (who grew up in America like me). And I figure, the reason it is the way it is, I see this with my mom, my dad, and all the people who are around me being Korean. And I grew up in America!! For a long time, I didn’t want to hang out with my Korean friends anymore… felt my world was too small. Too closed. But once you’re in that small community, it’s hard to break out. That’s where all your friends are, your family, etc.
Korean society is all about community, and belonging to groups. I’ve discovered that’s a part of me, even though I grew up in America. Imagine what it’s like growing up in Korea!!!
I think I understand why there’s always a group of 유학생’s wherever you go, speaking Korean, and kinda sticking together all the time. It’s tough to break out of a Korean community even for me. Imagine how difficult it would be for Korean’s who grew up in Korea!
May 17th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Very interesting… I’m looking forward to part 2!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Keith, thanks for putting your perspective on it. I always like to being see the other side. I can definitely understand why this happens here even though I wish it didn’t. (And it’s certainly just not the Koreans who are in their own small community here.) I’d like to say if I was in a foreign country I wouldn’t seek out other American or English speakers, that’d I’d integrate as best I could to improve my fluency, but I don’t know for sure!
I am very thankful that I have gotten close with the two Koreans in my class, it has allowed me to learn so much about a culture I was unfamiliar with before. I am just hoping that I will be able to bridge the gap between them and the rest of the American students I hang out with. I feel in the middle at times, my Korean friends always say they want to improve their English and my American friends always wish that the foreign students would hang out with us more.
Definitely a great blog post Matthew! I am also looking forward to part 2!
May 18th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
매튜야!!!!
졸업 정말로 축하해!!!
I post it as a gift for your graduation, you would have already seen this thoug
Opendoors
- 한국유학생 to 미국 ranks top 3 while 미국유학생 to 한국 not even stated
in 20.
http://www.opendoors.iienetwork.org/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/3390/folder/68485/Open+Doors+Fast+Facts+2008.pdf
Ministry of Education, Science and Techonology
- almost 60,000 한국 유학생 went to 미국 in 2007. you can see there is
slight differences in figures than Opendoors. (2006/2007 - 62,392)
- in just a year, there was 52% and 45% growth of Korean students going
to both Philipines and China while 2% growth to US.
(statements, figures in Korean)
http://cafe.naver.com/uhakworld.cafe?iframe_url=/ArticleRead.nhn%3Farticleid=597
May 19th, 2009 at 4:13 am
고마워 새미~~!!
May 19th, 2009 at 5:37 am
[…] (Part One can be located here) […]
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
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