Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:05 am Post subject: SNU for Grad School?

I've been thinking about grad school plans recently and Seoul National Uni was recently mentioned to me. I was looking at stuff on their website and, while the courses that I could take are very limited (due to my relatively poor grasp of Korean), they seem interesting and possibly good for starting a career that doesn't involve teaching, unlike an English degree. The thing is, they've got these hokey names, like "International Area Studies" and "International Commerce" and such. There's more information about the handful of courses that I could take here: http://www.snu.ac.kr:6060/engsnu/inter_pro/inter_pro_06.jsp

Does anyone have any experience with taking graduate level courses at SNU? Or with these particular areas of study? I'm preferably looking for something where I can play with numbers, as that's my area of expertise, but am not familiar with what people who study in these areas go on to work as.[/url]

insamsaram · Joined: 16 Jul 2004

I haven't attended but have researched extensively in the event I will attend.

Basically there are several GSIS schools in Seoul (just put in "GSIS Seoul" in a search engine and browse all the programs). I would recommend Ewha or Yonsei or Koryo or even Kyunghee (Suwon campus I think) or Sogang over SNU. But you should research the individual programs and requirements to see which one fits you best (for example Ewha requires an internship whereas others don't and the credit and/or thesis requirements and funding vary according to the program).

Also, Sogang and Yonsei give scholarships to all its students who are in good standing after the first semester. These are all Masters of International Studies programs dealing with International Politics/Cooperation; International Commerce, Management, and Trade; Area Studies, etc.... Some, like Yonsei, also offer MBA programs for international students.

Actually, for Koreans entrance is incredibly competitive (I think 3% accepted at Koryo), so it seems like a good chance for foreigners to get a great education without the difficulties they may face in their home countries (and way cheaper than similar programs in the US for example).

All classes are in English and Korean language is not even mandatory unless you pick Korean Studies as your degree program.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 7:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info. I may look into Kyunghee Uni, since it's a lot closer to me.

Cedar · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 3:31 am Post subject:

I'm just starting at Yonsei GSIS. If you want to know more about it later on, PM me in a few weeks when I've met some upper classmen.

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Uh, if you hope to get a real education, think again. My KA friend got a master's from the Korea Univ. GSIS and regrets it. He's actually gonna go for an MBA later on.

Koreans enter GSIS to improve their English and such. Whether it actually improves their job marketability is up to debate. I guess some companies would be impressed that a foreigner got his master's from a Korean university but well, you're competing against people who got regular master's degrees from more recognized schools in the West.

Sejong Univ. in Seoul offers a joint MBA with Syracuse Univ., but I wouldn't put much faith into it.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:20 am Post subject:

danieltudor · Joined: 26 Sep 2003

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Taiwan National University

Same thing.

And this is considerd to be the 'Harvard' of Taiwanese universities.

If you can, I advise you do it in:

Canada
U.K.
U.S.
Australia
N.Z.