Joongang Daily Newspaper, November 6, 2013

South Koreans to “Study Abroad” in

Hot potato, Pie in the sky, Sour grapes.... International school is the place that can be explained with these clichés. The establishment of in Songdo in 2010, the first foreign educational institution in the metropolitan area, and the subsequent foundation of NLCS Jeju, KIS Jeju, and BHA in Jeju English Education City in 2011 and 2012 caused international schools to become “hot potatoes”, drawing attention and raising controversies among people. These schools were opened to replace the demand for studying abroad, but they were just 'pies in the sky' for most parents due to their expensive tuition and constraints due to their location, and ‘sour grapes’ for many Gangnam mothers as entering kids on those schools without any proof made them feel nervous. I glimpsed over on international schools.

What I had gained and lost in Songdo or in Jeju

International school is a place where parents can educate their children with the U.S. private school or the U.K. public school system in Korea without sending their kids abroad. All Korean students are allowed to study in international schools, unlike foreign schools that require 3 years or more of residence in a foreign country. However, the annual tuition fee is as high as 50 million won. In addition, none of them is located in , meaning that students would face long commute to school or the family should move in near the school. The oldest school is Chadwick International opened in 2010, implying that international schools have not been verified in many aspects. I met mothers who had sent their kids to international schools in Songdo and Jeju and asked them why they had made such decisions and whether they are satisfied with their choices.

Ms. Kim Ju Seon (41) had transferred her kid from a public school in Daechi-dong to Chadwick International in Songdo last year and her child had commuted from Dogok-dong to Chadwick for a year. This year, the whole family moved to Songdo. Her second kid was accepted at Chadwick International, and she thought it was better to settle in Songdo as soon as possible. Ms. Kim said, “My kid adapted well to so-called Daechi-dong system, and other parents said that I was being unreasonable to leave Daechi-dong when I told them that I would transfer my child to another school. In the beginning, there were rumors that my child had gone abroad to study since the school was not as good as expected.” She explained, "Such response must be due to Gangnam Mothers’ anxiety towards the unproven school,” and added, “Now, the number of Daechi-dong Mothers asking me admission information for international schools have rapidly increased. "

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

Then why did parents choose international school from the beginning?

I could find the answer from the word of Ms. Bak Eun Kyung (39), a mother who had sent her child since the first year of Chadwick International. “The first way of letting my child behave is to say that I am not letting my child to go to school. That is how much my child likes Chadwick.”

Ms. Jeon (45) had transferred her child from a public school in Seoul to North London Collegiate School (NLCS) in Jeju, and later to Branksome Hall Asia (BHA). Her child is currently in the 3rd grade. Ms. Jeon said, "Teachers in a Korean school tell kids to be quiet when they ask questions, but here at BHA teachers answer kindly to all the questions from kids, and my child likes going to school very much. My child smiles more.”

Ms. Shin Mi Seon (41) moved from Daechi-dong to Canons Village, located right in front of NLCS Jeju, said, "My family had lived in Bundang, and after participating in English programs in the New Zealand, we moved to Daechi-dong when my son was in the 6th grade. The life was tough in that place. I have a nephew, a middle school student living in Daechi-dong. He goes to private English and math class right after the school, and comes back exhausted at around 11:00 PM.” She also said, “I thought I would not be able to get away with such life had I lived in Daechi-dong, whether I want it or not.” It was the reason for moving into Jeju. Most of the 180 households living in Canons Village were parents or school officials. Mr. Shin, the husband, lives in Seoul alone due to his job.

Ms. Kim Eun Ji (39), whose first and second child go to NLCS Jeju and BHA respectively, said, “Kids do not have time to play, just like days that they were at a Korean school. In terms of what kids do during their spare time, however, it is different." It means that students in Korean schools take private classes one after another right after school, but kids here spend time doing their homework that requires their own thinking.

"Found My Own Life" vs "Depressing due to All-in for Kids"

Actually, there are number of cases that chose international school not for kids but for parents. That is the case for Ms. Kang Ji Young (42) who came from Mokdong. Ms. Kang said, "I transferred my child to Chadwick when my nephew from Canada enrolled in Chadwick International. At first, I planned to put my child back to a local school if necessary, but I am satisfied." It was more than satisfaction. Kang told me that she had finally found her life. Kang was a typical helicopter mother when she lived in Mok-dong. If her child was studying with a workbook, she sat in front of him and helped him. Her schedule for the whole day was arranged for her child. There was no personal time. But now it had changed with the help of school system, which encouraged students to study by themselves. "Now, my work as a mother in the past is not needed anymore." she said. However, the international school is not a heaven for all the parents. A lot of mothers feel difficult because the life in Jeju is a lot different from the life in Seoul, especially if she is the only parent living in Jeju. Ms. Kim (41), who sends her two children to BHA, said, "The school and the house are here in the middle of nowhere. It takes 30-40 minutes by car to go and buy something, so there are a number of depressed mothers," she said. Ms. Song Soo Hyeon (40), who is sending her three children to an international school in Jeju, said, “In the beginning, mothers get along with each other as the life in Jeju is quite simple and they are not staying with their husband. Then they fall out in some cases simply because of the minor misunderstanding." She also said, "Mothers coming to Jeju are determined to all-in for kids. At times, they are depressed as they had to arranging their day to a child’s school schedule, but they consider it as a sacrifice in order to educate their child as a global leader and try their best to endure the hardship.”

Escaping from private education is a fantasy

Ms. Lee (35), one of NLCS Jeju parents, said, "There is a private institution teaching English and math in English. Mothers considering going back to Korean schools tend to pay more attention to private education, but it is a matter of choice in Jeju, not a required one.” She added, "Students usually live near the campus, and it is approximately 40 minutes drive to go private institutions in Nohyeongdong, making it virtually impossible to get there on weekdays.”

Kim Eun Ji sends her two children to an international school in Jeju. She said, "Private education is an option in this place. It is the reason that I did not enroll my kids in KIS Jeju.” In its information session, she asked if students should study math before the school semester, and they answered that students should do if it was necessary. She claimed, "The other two schools in Jeju told me not to send my child to private institutions. If I was going to educate my child in Korean style, such as sending my child to the private institutions, what is the point of coming to Jeju?”

Some parents claimed that kids are still being privately educated just like the days at Korean schools, but the subject is not the same.

Ms. Song (50), a parent of a 10th grade BHA student, said, "Some students take private tutoring on math as it is insufficient compared to Korean schools. A number of kids are privately educated improve their English, but it is the trend to send kids private classes for art, music, or for PE.

Lee Eun Ah (43), a parent of 3rd grade at Chadwick International student who had moved from Bangbae-dong to Songdo, said, "Just like anywhere else, kids here get a lot of private education. But it is not a Korean, English, or math class. Private education here is focused on art, music, or PE classes that are not in the school curriculum such as fencing or trumpet, which is necessary in order to go to foreign universities.”

Is It English or Korean? A Never Ending Question

International schools in Jeju do not have any regulation limiting quota for Korean nationals. Only KIS Jeju released its percentage of foreign students and it was just 3%. Except children of foreign faculty members, virtually all of them are Korean nationals.

Shin Mi Seon said, "I saw a parent sending her child to boarding school in a foreign country because his English had not improved. Foreign students in my kids’ class are either children of foreign teachers or Chinese students. “

Chadwick International, at least, has the limit for the proportion of Korean nationals (30%, 40% starting from fall of 2014) and thus has higher percentage of foreign students than international schools in Jeju, but still is not 100% English-speaking environment. It is not solely due to the practical limitation that there are many Korean students and staff members, but also because of the school policy. Chadwick International is teaching Korean and Korean History classes in Korean. In addition, the school gives students instructions to use Korean to visitors and to school employees in the campus. There is no punishment for speaking Korean.

Chadwick International PR Director Helen Lee said, "It was the part we had to ponder over and over again. We emphasize on Korean because it is difficult to speak English fluently without being proficient in Korean. “

Kim Yeon Jin (45), a parent of 9th grade BHA student, claimed, "It would have been better if there were some foreign students, but on the other hand, getting along with Korean friends and forming peer culture can be merits.”

Generally Satisfied to Its Outstanding Curriculum

Chadwick International will have its first graduates in 2016. Yoo Min Jung (40), a parent of Upper School freshmen student, said, “I am somewhat anxious because there is no data for the entrance to prestigious universities. But since my child did not get Korean version of standardized education, I expect my child to be accepted by prestigious universities in the U.S. and in other foreign countries.”

Why is she so confident without any clear indicator for academic achievement such as the university entry rate?

First, parents have faith in the school curriculum just like private schools in the U.S. and public schools in the U.K. because international schools have their main campus in the foreign countries or their foundations are already operating foreign schools in Korea. But that is not all. Three out of four international schools in Songdo and Jeju have introduced IB program, which requires excellent curriculum to be certified.

Kim Yeon Jin mentioned IB program for the reason of choosing BHA among international schools. "As far as I know, Ivy League universities give credits for students who had taken IB Diploma course when selecting new students." Ms. Song sends her each of her children to BHA and KIS Jeju. She said, "I am more satisfied with BHA. Students can study all subjects systematically with more integrative approach due to its IB program."

Clear Difference in School Atmosphere…… Some Dissatisfied with Poor Management

Although they all are international schools, atmosphere of each school is distinctly different from one to another. Chadwick International, whose main campus is located in the U.S., is certainly liberal. The school does not have a uniform. On the other hand, NLCS Jeju is more strictly managed because its main campus is in the U.K. BHA is a Canadian school and the atmosphere is free in the lower grade, but strictly manages the dorm since 4th grade as it is a girls’ school. KIS Jeju is the only public school and its tuition is relatively inexpensive (around 15 million Korean won), but has the reputation of excessively focusing on the university entrance, a typical Korean school curriculum.

As schools had been established in Korea quite recently, parents sometimes complain school because of issues regarding school management.

One parent who had transferred her child from NLCS Jeju to BHA said, "I had put my child to this school because the school said that it teaches Chinese, and a year later, it suddenly changed the class into Latin class due to the issue with hiring a teacher." She further claimed, "One day, a homeroom teacher was ill and did not come to class, and kids in that class was not attended. In response to that claim, school replied, "We call for substitute teachers at the administrative office. There is no way that the kids were left unattended."

Their college acceptance rate will decide their future in the long term

Most of parents sending their children to international schools have deep anxiety in their heart. Unlike most foreign schools in Korea, international school students are eligible to apply for universities in Korea as students are deemed to have graduated from Korean high school. In reality, however, it is hard for those students to enter universities in Korea.

Ms. Yang has a 7th grade child in NLCS Jeju preparing to go to specialized high schools. She said, "My child still has the possibility of going to universities in Korea and in foreign countries.” Seo Ji Young (39), a parent of KIS Jeju student, also said, "My child can prepare for universities in Korea and in foreign universities at the same time. You have various options to choose from and it is one of the best merits of this place.”

However, Ms. Yu, whose child is enrolled in Chadwick International, claimed, "There are some students who had chosen the option to apply for universities in Korea and for special purpose high schools in the middle. However, many of them face difficulty not because of their ability to learn but because of the different styles of learning. "

Some parents said they will make decision after looking at the result of college entrance from international schools. Ms. Kim (41) said, “This is the first year that NLCS Jeju will show the university entry result. Students are applying for foreign universities at the moment. I will not hesitate in going back to Seoul if the result is not good.” Parents expect the entry result to be similar to the record of early days of Korean Minjok Leadership Academy and that by Global Leadership Program (GLP) of Daewon Foreign Language High School.

Number of students had dropped out of international school for several reasons. According to the Office of Congressman Sim Jae Cheol from Saenuri Party, dropout rate of international school during 12 months starting from September 2012, NLCS Jeju recorded 21.6%, followed by KIS Jeju (14.6%), BHA (14.5%), and Chadwick International (7.8%). Dropout reasons varied: studying abroad, preparing for universities in Korea, difficulty adjusting to school, personal matters and more. Some could not afford to pay tuition with salary and went to the Philippines to study, while some others dropped out to prepare for international middle schools or specialized high schools.

Ko Yong Min, Chief of International School Support Team in Jeju Office of Education, said, "The goal of international schools in Jeju was to hold students going outside the country, and in that sense, schools are playing their role to some extent." Ms. Kim (38), a parent of international school student in Jeju, said, "Being able to go back to Seoul at any time is one of the greatest advantages of international schools."

Songdo or Jeju? It’s a matter of education philosophy Going to Chadwick to be with family, more options available in Jeju

"I moved."

If a family did not have any problem living in and moved out from Gangnam, especially when the child is old enough to go to school, they are going to Songdo without any doubt. If people ask, "Chadwick?” they all nod their heads. Father continues to work at the center of Seoul, and mother did not go outside Gangnam area. They are settling in the new place just for the sake of their children. "Sending kids from a private class to another… Ugh, we cannot do that. It is not good for my kids, either. Even though Jeju is in Korea, if we go to that island, the family has to be separated, eventually. Then, there's only one option left."

After moving to Songdo, Mr. Park (42) leaves home before 6:00 am every day. It is the only option if he wants to avoid being jammed in the middle of the road. He cut out a lot of appointments after work. Even if he set up an appointment, he goes back to home no later than 10:00 pm. It is a lot of sacrifice. However, he said that he is "satisfied."

Kim Yoo Jin (40), whose had moved in from Pyeongcheon to Songdo, said, “Some students had commuted from Gangman when the Chadwick had opened, but approximately 80% of families whose child is in the Village School have moved in Songdo.” Lee Eun Ah (43), who moved in from Bangbae-dong, added, “Families that do not want to be separated with each other tend to send their kids to Chadwick International.”

NLCS Jeju, KIS Jeju, and BHA, all of which are in , all have the option to live the dormitory or to commute from home in higher grade. Currently, students can use the dormitory from 5th grade in the case of NLCS Jeju and BHA, and from 4th grade in the case of KIS Jeju. So when kids are young, kids live with their mother in Jeju and their father lives in Seoul. When kids get old enough, parents live in Seoul and regularly visit their children and vice versa. The percentage of students commuting from home even they can enter the dormitory is 36% for BHA, followed by 28% for KIS Jeju and 25% for NLCS Jeju.

The choice Songdo and Jeju is largely decided by the education philosophy of each family. Nevertheless, this is not all. Other factors such as the origin and type of teaching method and the number of foreign students are also taken into account. Chadwick International is a foreign institution and should have no more than 40% of Koreans nationals in the total number of students, but international schools in Jeju can enroll 100% of Korean students.

Ms. Yang (42) has a kid studying at NCLS Jeju, whose main campus is located in the U.K. She said, “After coming back from the United Kingdom, my child said on and on that he wanted to go back to Great Britain. I thought I would send my child to British style school, and I did not consider sending my child to any other school.”