"Competence is inversely rewarded." This was what a staff member at T University told me in a casual conversation about two years ago. At first, it struck me as an exaggeration, perhaps even a contradiction. Surely it couldn’t be that bad, I thought. But as we continued our discussion, I began to see his point. What seemed like a cynical remark was, in fact, a reflection of the frustrations stemming from the structural and inherent limitations in the system. His comment also made me realize that the atmosphere was quite different from what I had experienced at S University, where staff capabilities, pride, and commitment as agents of university innovation were strongly emphasized. After transitioning from S University to N University (a U.S. campus located in Songdo International City), one question I frequently received from former colleagues was, "How far can you advance over there?" While becoming a university president seemed out of reach, they were curious abo
Juggling Goals, Opportunities, and Challenges: Dilemma in South Korea’s International Student Growth
Over the past two decades, South Korea has seen significant growth in its international student population, driven by factors like the Korean Wave and the expansion of English-medium instruction. This rise has transformed South Korea into a global education hub, shifting its role from a "sending" to a "receiving" country for international students. By 2023, international students represented 9% of the global international student population. A detailed analysis shows that Korean language studies and undergraduate programs attract the most students, while advanced degree enrollments are smaller. However, the surge in international students has introduced challenges, particularly concerning illegal residency. In 2023, 16% of international students were found to be residing illegally, with a stark contrast between non-degree (34%) and degree-seeking students (6%). Issues like universities struggling to manage students, and some engaging in illegal employment or activit