Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seanyboy]

Hi there,

I'm a Canadian (not Kyopo) thinking of taking an MA in international relations/policy at a university in Seoul, and looking for general advice and also specific recommendation of individual programs... if anyone has some experience with graduate schools in Korea I'd really like to hear from you...

My ability in Korea is just starting to get up into the low-intermediate range, so I'm interested in hearing how accommodating various programs are as regards language issues, what the ability of other foreign students tends to be. By next year I think I could manage in the classroom, but writing a thesis in Korean seems pretty daunting. Would anyone be able to recommend an English language course?

Finally I'm interested in the application process - how competitive is it? Are all foreign students considered equally or are there quotas for different countries? What are the most important criteria? Is there any chance of a student visa that would allow part-time work?

If there is some other website, foreign students union/club, or guide to these programs I'd appreciate a link, I can't find much beyond the university websites which of course don't give the student-perspective I'm looking for. Many thanks for your replies.

[seanyboy]

bumpity bump.... any help at all would be most appreciated....

[jkelly80]

Have you looked into this?:
http://gsis.yonsei.ac.kr/

[magnolia23]

There are a few schools in Korea that are accredited by the ASPIA (association of professional schools of international affairs). i'd check out their website, those are probably your best bet in terms of quality of teaching and likelihood of being taught in English.

http://www.apsia.org

[Yaya]

Since you're not a gyopo, try getting a scholarship to one of the programs. I've talked to a few who attended Sejong University and they said they got scholarships PLUS were able to keep jobs. Many of these schools are practically bribing foreigners to attend so that they can look "international."

More food for thought: many of the foreigners I've asked who attend grad school in Korea say they wouldn't be doing it had they not gotten a scholarship.

[Kimbop]

Bumpitty bump-- Any IR majors out there? From a Korean uni?

[teachteach]

Best advice, don't study IR.

[PRagic]

Yonsei's GSIS program is probably the best in Korea. Take a look at their web site.

Follow the other poster's advice and apply for scholarships, too. Can't hurt.

[jkelly80]

My life for you! CI-BO-LA!