Korea University program

By Susan Menadue-Chun

The glowing front page extended coverage of Korea University’s Summer school program and its commitment to foreign students is deceptive.

Are the readers or the KU President Lee Ki-su aware that KU’s Graduate School of International Studies’ Korean Studies has a drop out rate of 80 percent in the first semester? In March 2010, six students entered the Korean Studies program, two students remained. In September 2009, five students and now only 1 student remains. There are similar statistics for preceding semesters.

The Korean Studies students are a small, isolated and tightly controlled group at KU. I am a Korean Studies dropout within one week of enrollment. I realized the situation at KU GSIS was untenable and decided to continue my studies abroad where I will not have to compromise my integrity and a code of ethics is adhered to and student rights are protected.

I chose to study at KU as I hold a strong affinity to Korea. The intention of my chosen area of research is to raise awareness of the poignant history of Korean Diaspora.

An 80 percent dropout rate indicates a serious chronic problem at KU. For years, students have suffered in silence for fear of intimidation.

At KU, the dropouts are overlooked. Pastoral support for foreign students is non existent. I suppose for a few chosen students sitting on the grass for a flashy photo shoot with KU President Lee Ki-su is as good as it gets?