Expats Single Out Tuition Costs as Biggest Problem

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Staff Reporter

Foreigners living in Seoul think the largest problem in education here is the high tuition fees, according to a survey by Seoul City, Wednesday.

It surveyed 46,153 citizens who were over 15 years old at 20,000 households and 2,500 international residents in Seoul, in the seventh edition of the survey that began in 2003.

As of 2009, 256,000 international residents were living in Seoul. The number of expatriates has jumped since 2003, but the pace has been slowing since 2008 due to the global economic crisis.

There were more female foreigners (52 percent) than males (48 percent) and those in their 40s took up the largest share at 27 percent followed by 21 percent in their 50s and 30s, respectively.

By nationality, Asians accounted for more than 90 percent, including Chinese who made up three-fourths of the total.

"More than half, at 51 percent, of expatriates considered tuition costs as the biggest problem in educating their children in the capital city," the survey said. "The burden of educational expenses was seen as the heaviest among Chinese, with 65 percent of them responding so."

The Taiwanese feel there are not enough schools and Europeans think it's difficult to communicate with local residents.

"We are building more schools for foreigners, including an English-speaking one in Sangam scheduled to open in August 2011. We will try to provide better education at affordable prices for expatriates," a city official said.

Foreigners were most satisfied with urban safety in Seoul, followed by the residential environment. However, the economic environment and educational facilities were the least gratifying categories.

Seoul's public transportation received a high satisfaction rate both among domestic Seoulites and international residents. The subway, which opened its ninth line last year, received 6.5 points out of 10 among locals and 8.12 among foreigners, and was voted the best means of public transportation.

The Chinese were most satisfied with buses, while those from the United States and the United Kingdom liked the subway and taxi services.

Around 38 percent of Seoulites said they do not mind marrying expatriates.

However, the rate of accepting a multicultural society dropped 1 percentage point compared to last year.

In general, young people are more open to embracing multiculturalism.

The trend has stagnated in the younger generation, but is rising among the middle-aged.

More citizens agreed to the need for policies to get rid of social prejudices against married immigrants and few were worried of being deprived of jobs by people coming from other countries.

"It shows that Seoulites are becoming more open to a multicultural society," the official said.