Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drkhv7]

Hi,

I took the TOPIK test this Spring and scored a Level II. Although this is a VERY modest start (the beginning test is MUCH easier than intermediate from what I've seen) I was curious if there are any Korean universities, preferably in a desirable (urban) location which offer free tuition or scholarships to foreigners (probably more specifically English-speaking foreigners) on the basis of having passed a TOPIK test. I'm looking for a Korean-language program but it doesn't need to be a degree-track program, but I'd prefer something that will sponsor a visa, room&board like at Geumbang ...

I'm aware of the Geumgang Univ program which offers free tuition and I saw something about scholarship opportunities at Chonnam University for people who have taken the TOPIK but I couldn't figure out the details and i got nowhere on the website.

Does anyone have info on what (if any) doors are opened by having a Level II TOIPIK certificate?

Is there any way to teach privates legally on a student visa without marrying my Korean girlfriend ? I'd like to have some income while I'm studying ...
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Also, does anyone know if I would need explicit permission from my school to quit after 6 months (I'm in my 3rd year in Korea, new school, same employer) in order to start a student visa the next month? I've heard that you need the school to provide you with a waiver of some sort in order to re-enter the country if you quit early on your contract.

Thanks in advance for the tips on either the first inquiry (TOPIK and scholarship/tuition waiver opps) and the

Cheers

[ABC KID]

[mm]

Many of the smaller universities in Seoul (mine included) are accepting students into undergraduate and graduate degree seeking programs with 80 to 100% tuition reimbursement. They are trying to globalize many universities in Korea and they do this to attract foreign students. They also offer free korean classes in the evenings to the foreign students.

My suggestion would be to google search Seoul Universities, get a list and start emailing them or calling.

[furtakk]

I studied at a Korean university for one semester (language program) and half of my class was on full scholarships. Basically the non-Chinese half of the class. I have no idea how they acquired scholarships, but they were all on track to enroll in undergrad programs. There is some Korea-wide program as far as I know because although they did the language program at that particular university, they were all headed to different schools when they completed level 4 of the program.

[mm]

Foreign students are usually granted scholarships to study in Korean universities, I think it would be hard to find a foreign student who was not on scholarship. The universities are somewhat desperate to internationalize their programs.

[coralreefer_1]

It really depends on your situation and the kind of program you are entering.

Not to discount what another poster said, but I have never heard of any foreign student studying Korean in a university for free unless...

A: They were an exchange student studying for a semester

B: They were already admitted into a program that will be mostly classes in some other field of study with complimentary classes thrown in (I believe many GSIS programs are like this, but not sure.) As in..you take your regular courses plus also Korean courses also.

There MAY be some smaller universities that may admit you..however it should be noted that as of spring semester 2011, many universities are becoming more strict about allowing foreign students into their universities in regards to Korea language. In most programs, level 4 is required for admission, while a few select programs demand a level 5. That is just to be admitted into the program, not the scholarship.

If you are admitted, it is most likely that you will get a scholarship, but that is not really so much based on your Korean level as nearly ALL foreign students get some sort of scholarship, usually beginning at 50% and higher. The key is to be admitted, and most will like to see some Korean level one way or another.

There is a way around this however. If the programs requires a level 4 certificate but you do not have it..then the next best option other than passing level 4 would be to spend a semester in their Korean Language education courses. If you do this (study Korean at the same university you wish to enter) then the university is a bit more lenient to you Korean skills (or lack thereof) and often times will let you slide in even though you cannot pass a level 4, simply because it is a way to kind or "reward" foreign students who spent money studying Korean in their program. If you already passed level 2, then a 10 week semester of Korean should put you on the borderline between level 3 and 4 by the end of the 10 weeks( assuming you are studying fairly well)and I would be willing to bet if you tried to enter the same university that you were studying Korean at for that time..you would be admitted.

After much postponement, I will enter Korea University Business program in the spring, and although the 100% scholarship requires a level 6 TOPIK, there are other option that will grant 75% scholarship without any TOPIK score required at all. Of course a TOPIK helps (which I have) but it is not required.

As far as teaching privates, it is illegal as you probably know, doesn't matter your visa.

[mm]

I don't think anyone ever said that students who were studying solely Korean were granted scholarships. It was pointed out that scholarships were given to many foreign students in degree seeking programs that allowed them to study Korean at night for free.

[coralreefer_1]

Perhaps I misunderstood furtakk's comment, but it sure read like that poster was studying Korean in a Korean language program that others in the same program were getting scholarships to study Korean in which they had plans to enroll in undergrad programs. I'm not saying furtakk is wrong, just stating that out of the 6 years I have been here studying various things in a university, Ive never heard of it unless they fell into one of the options I mentioned, or were on the NIIED program.

[seaphrael]

I believe you can legally teach part time on a student visa AFTER you've held the visa for six months. The immigration website has information about the two types of student visas- D-2 and D-4. One is for students studying solely at a Korean Language program through a university (like Yonsei or Sogang KLI) and the other is for students attending university or graduate school.

You need a letter of release from your employer to get out of your contract early. If this is your first year with a new school, they might not give it to you, but if you've worked at the same place for more than a year they should give you one as long as you quit with 30 days notice.

There are scholarships out there- I would inquire at the school you want to attend, I am sure they have resources.

[mm]

From what I understood from his post, its because they were accepted into an undergraduate program in the future is why they were granted scholarships, but I could be wrong.

I have also never known anyone to get a scholarship to study only Korean in a language program at a university.

[Hugo85]

[furtakk]

I'm not sure what the name of the program was, but they definitely had scholarships. However, like I said they were all expected to go on to undergrad. I do not think you could acquire one just for language study. And to be honest, I doubt you could acquire one for undergrad if you are coming from a wealthy country (at least for this particular program). All of the scholarship students were from developing countries. They were also only studying Korean until they complete level 4. After that and if they pass the TOPIK they can enroll in their undergrad program.

[Hugo85]

[drkhv7]

Hey thanks for the replies ... From your responses I've gathered that:

1. I should look into niied scholarships.

2. I should inquire at specific univ where I'm interested.

3. There are few (if any) programs as nice as Geumgang Univ's free room/board/tuition deal.


If my school didn't grant me release, when could I start a new student visa?

Is it possible to work in a hagwon or part-time somewhere (or elsewhere) on a student visa?

Does anyone have a specific language progam they can recommend which offers stipends/scholarships? Thanks

[coralreefer_1]

I cant answer about specific programs, but I have to ask: Why are you quitting your job and interested to change to a student visa? You can keep an E2 and still study at a university. This law was changed just last year. Assuming your schedule allowed it, you could keep the same job if you wanted, or just change to another hagwon/PS and keep the E-2.

As far as working, you can still teach English on a student visa (you will get an E2 extension of the original D-2) but you have to fill some requirements (time in country, permission form professor, and still satisfy all requirements for an E2. In that case you will LEGALLY only be allowed to work 20 hours in the 5 day week, with unlimited working hours available during weekends, holidays, and school vacations. However if you do go that route (getting a D-2 as opposed to keeping an E-2, you will likely not get such benefits as free apartment/pension plan...etc.

The good point is however, that if you do change the visa and get the D-2, and then get the extension, if there is some issue with the hagwon, they have no control over your visa, so if you quit, fired..etc..you only lose the extension, not the visa which in some ways gives you more power over your own destiny in regards to putting up with crap since you do not have to leave the country, so long as you are paying your tuition and attending class.

Good Luck!