Domestic Rabbit or Wild Rabbit? Rethinking Student Integration in Higher Educational Institutions

In December of the previous year, the Korean Educational Administration Society's conference showcased a fascinating presentation titled "What Attracts Students from Other Regions to Enroll in C University in a Provincial Area?" This topic sparked considerable interest.

At first glance, the overarching trend of students crossing regional boundaries within our nation appears straightforward. Firstly, there's a clear trend of students flocking to universities in the metropolitan area, particularly those in Seoul. Secondly, there's the pattern of provincial students attending local universities. For instance, students eligible for prestigious universities in Seoul might choose local institutions like P University, K University, or J University instead, drawn by the advantages of living at home to save on expenses or the appeal of lower tuition fees. This pattern, more noticeable before the current extreme disparities in higher education across regions, remains an important subject for discussion.

In South Korea, however, the trend of students from metropolitan areas attending provincial universities has garnered relatively less attention. Furthermore, the dynamics of students from Daegu attending a university in Gwangju, those from Busan going to one in Gangwon Province, or students from Gyeonggi Province moving to a university in Jeju Island are intriguing and warrant deeper examination.

The case presented at the conference revolved around a university in K City. The presenter shared that 90% of the students in their undergraduate programs were local, with the remaining 10% coming from other areas. The department's competitive edge, job prospects, and opportunities for certification drew these out-of-region students. The researcher wrapped up the presentation by underscoring the importance of developing programs to aid these students in acclimating to the new cultural and emotional environments at C University, and the policy implications of such support.

A question from an attendee at the end of the presentation prompted further reflection: "In a country as compact as ours, with minimal regional differences, is it truly necessary to offer special support to students from other areas?" It reminded me of an anecdote shared by a friend of mine about a student from Seoul who struggled to adjust to the unique culture and dialect at P University in B City, ultimately dropping out after one semester and deciding to fulfill the military duty, reluctant to return even after discharge.

While it's not a straightforward argument to assert the need for or feasibility of special attention for these students, considering South Korea's relatively small size, the issue of students not feeling a sense of belonging in a new educational environment is undeniably critical. If a large majority of students share similar backgrounds, the rest, being in the minority, face a unique set of challenges. Universities in Seoul may naturally have a diverse student body due to their national catchment, but this diversity is less likely in other regions. The potential difficulties faced by multicultural or international students in such settings are also noteworthy.

Reports have consistently highlighted that regional national universities see up to 10-20% of their freshmen withdrawing. The domino effect of student migration from regional to metropolitan universities, and then to Seoul's elite institutions and specialized programs like medicine, is an evident reality. The issue of talent outflow due to overseas studies is also a significant concern.

At a time when the crisis caused by a shrinking pool of prospective students is a topic of daily concern, for those in higher education professions, identifying and understanding the unique traits of their student body is of paramount importance. In light of this, universities must make intentional efforts to ensure freshmen integrate successfully – this requires policy intervention. Prioritizing and effectively managing the 'first-year experience' is crucial for ensuring student retention.

The analogy of 'domestic and 'wild rabbits' extends beyond politics. Universities are venturing far and wide, even across seas, in pursuit of 'wild rabbits.' Whereas, in this competitive environment, it is essential to introspect whether sufficient efforts are made to help those distant 'wild rabbits' who choose to join our learning community, enabling them to take root and thrive in the campus environment.

* This is a translation of the article published on the University News Network in January 2023. For access to the original content, please visit https://news.unn.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=558063.