Lee Jang-moo, president
of Seoul National University |
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Despite its self-proclaimed goal of globalization, Seoul National University faces criticism for being insensitive to the needs of its foreign students, with language barriers and racial affronts being cited as the most troublesome areas.
In protest, Yavuz Selim Kacar, president of the SNU's international student association, has decided to quit the post.
"Although SNU talks about globalization, the reality can't be further from the truth. We cannot even communicate well with the only official in charge of foreign student management," Kacar, a 24-year-old Turk who majors in economics, said during an interview.
SNU has 936 international students from 65 countries in its undergraduate and graduate courses, accounting for more than 3 percent of the total 27,000 students.
Although the nation's most prestigious school has seen a rise in global university rankings by various organizations, the ratio of international students is relatively low compared to other schools at the same level.
SNU President Lee Jang-moo last month visited Harvard University. Foreign students in SNU, however, think it is nothing more than propaganda.
"We have difficulties in even registering for classes as our school doesn't offer an English Web site," said a student from a Southeast Asian country.
A Western student complained that some departments don't provide English classes for their compulsory courses, making it difficult for foreigners to graduate.
The university scrapped this fall semester's "SNU Buddy" program, which was set to help foreign students acclimate themselves to Korea.
Some students from Islamic countries have requested the university to provide a prayer room, but the school rejected the proposal without any convincing reasons.
They also appealed to the school cafeterias several times for a Muslim diet but not a sign of change has been shown.
Some lecturers prove to be insensitive enough to say things derogatory about non-Korean students.
"When a lecturer was irritated with a board marker that's not working properly, he openly said, 'It must be made in China'," a Chinese student said.
Some Japanese students said they were upset when a lecturer questioned them about Japanese invasions of Korea during a history class.
An American graduate from the school said he had a hard time at the school due to the language barrier and cultural differences.
When asked whether he is willing to recommend SNU to his friends considering studying in Korea, the business administration major said in an e-mail to The Korea Times, "Not currently."
"The support for foreign students might look good on paper, but barely satisfies basic needs," he said.
"If a university is willing to promote itself overseas, it should first develop a firm structure before going out and announcing openings for foreign students."
Asked about its stance over the problems in a written inquiry by The Korea Times, SNU offered no response.
kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
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