Recent data from the United States confirms that despite all the negative circumstances in the era of President Trump and the pandemic, the United States remains the destination of choice for most international students. The country will have educated more than 1 million of them in 2022-2023, according to . open door According to the report, there was an 11.5% increase in the 2021-22 academic year.
Despite the continuing changes in South Korea's socio-economic situation, the appeal of the United States certainly continues to be felt in South Korea. The number of Korean students in the United States decreased by 20.7% in 2020-21 during the pandemic, but increased by 7.6% in 2022-23 to nearly 44,000.
Overall, the number of Koreans enrolled in higher education institutions overseas has declined sharply over the past 15 years, from a peak of 262,000 in 2011 to 123,000 in 2023. . However, it has declined in recent times as Western countries have become more popular and other destinations, especially China, have begun to capture a larger share. Tensions with China over South Korea's introduction of US missile defense systems in 2017-2018 undermined China's appeal to South Korean students, with the current market share of English-speaking countries at 55%, compared to 2008. This is an increase of 1 percentage point.
In the US, even though the total number of Koreans studying in the US decreased by 35% (and by 47%) between 2008 and 2023, their market share increased from 28% in 2008 to 2.5% in 2017. % to 33% in 2023. percent since its peak in 2010). That's because, apart from Canada (which saw a 6% rise), the declines were greater in other regions: 71% in the UK, 45% in Australia and 86% in New Zealand.
This trend will become even more pronounced from 2019 to 2023, which includes the pre- and post-pandemic period. The US experienced a 25 per cent decline over this period, compared to 30 per cent in Canada, 58 per cent in the UK, 50 per cent in Australia and 79 per cent in New Zealand.
The reason is historical. After being liberated from Japanese colonial rule, primarily by the US military, Korean society has been heavily influenced by the US. Many of the existing elites were educated there, and American qualifications and experience, especially those gained at top-ranked institutions, are still highly valued in South Korea.
Despite this, Korean students and their parents remain anxious about going to the United States. These include the safety implications of widespread drug use in large cities, rising costs of living, and possible policy changes regarding international students after the next presidential election. Additionally, last year's Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action has raised concerns about how it will affect international recruitment.
However, it will not be easy for other English-speaking countries that want to capitalize on such concerns to increase South Korea's market share. Quality English education in English-speaking countries is thought to give students a competitive edge on the world stage, and the prestige of US institutions gives students a head start.
For other countries to compete, they need to focus on quality and brand building to ensure that the educational background they offer actually improves their chances of getting a job in South Korea. Second, Korean employers value professional experience as much as foreign degrees, so there is a clear path to immigration and work opportunities in the host country, including the right to work after study abroad. extremely important. Finally, it is essential to offer a unique educational experience that sets it apart from that offered by South Korea's elite educational institutions, perhaps through specialized programs and research opportunities.
The success of these strategies depends on understanding the specific educational aspirations and cultural backgrounds of Korean students. That may always be easier for U.S. institutions than for their English-speaking counterparts, given the historical relationship between the two countries.
Kyuseok Kim (Mick) is a doctoral student at Korea University, specializing in higher education management. He has over 13 years of experience in the international higher education field and has held positions at both a research university and a US branch in Korea.
