Illustration by Jeong Hyen-joo

The number of foreign exchange students who choose Korea to study abroad is increasing rapidly at several major universities.
According to official statistics provided by Seoul National University, Sogang University, Hanyang University, Korea University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Chung-Ang University, each showed increases in their foreign exchange students compared to 2008.
In 2012, foreign exchange students at Korea University reached 1,215 students, which more than doubled the number of 593 students in 2008.
The number almost tripled at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, amounting to 308 students, whereas around 103 foreign exchange students attended in 2008.
A total of 666 foreign exchange students have come to Chung-Ang University so far this year, revealing more than threefold increase in the number of students compared to 181 students in 2008.
The growing number of foreign exchange students is attributed to these Korean universities’ consistent efforts in forming partnerships with universities abroad.
“The reason for cooperating with more universities in exchange program is to meet the growing needs of our students who want to study abroad,” said Park Jong-hoon, the manager of the Office of International Affairs at Korea University.
Some officials say this increasing inflow of foreign exchange students also reflects the increase of foreign students’ interests in Korea and Korean culture.
“My interest in Korean history and culture, especially K-pop, brought me all the way from France to Korea to study,” said Telitsine Aude (University of Versailles, 4), who is currently studying at Ewha. “There are many friends of mine who have decided to study in Korea because of their interests in Korean culture like myself.”
The countries where foreign exchange students come from have also diversified. Compared to the past when students from China and Southeast Asia were predominant, students from the United States and Europe have increased in numbers.
“Our school showed an increased rate of about 36 percent in the number of students coming from the United States and Europe, compared to that of 2010,” said Yoo Hee-sok, the manager of Sogang University’s Office of International Affairs.
According to the Office of International Affairs at Korea University, about 660 students came from Europe, which makes up more than one-third of the total number of foreign exchange students in the fall semester of 2012.
Chung-Ang University also pointed out the noticeable change in students from Europe. Only 22 exchange students came from France in the fall semester of 2011, but the number has risen to 42 this year. Also, 23 students from Germany have attended this year, whereas none came in 2008.

저작권자 © Ewha Voice 무단전재 및 재배포 금지