4 ANALYSIS & FEATURE MONDAY OCTOBER 19, 2009

Why study
abroad?
By Chris Williams

Last week’s “World

University Rankings” appear
under the headline “Asia ad-
vances.” So why do East Asian
students go abroad to study,
when they face so many difficul-
ties?
In the rankings of the “Times
Higher” newspaper, Seoul
National University is now
47th, and in terms of life sci-
ences it is up 16 places to 24th.
South Korea now has 2 univer-
sities in the top 100, and 4 in the
top 200. China also has two in
the top 100, and 6 in the top
200. But this statistic is not ad-
justed for the size of country. In
relation to population, South
Korea does better than China.
Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia
and Singapore have also done
well. The University of Tokyo
has moved up 15 places to 13th
and Kyoto up 17 places to 20th.
In the past, the top positions
have been dominated by the
United States, with the United
Kingdom next. Like South
Korea, the United Kingdom
does remarkably well consider-
ing its relative size.
The Times Higher concludes
this year that “the rise of Asia is
in direct contrast to the U.S.’s for-
tunes.” Cambridge University
pushed Yale from second to third
place. The “Observatory on
Borderless Higher Education”
talks of a “new global regional-
ism” which is challenging the sta-
tus of the United States and the
United Kingdom.
But league tables like this are
limited. The big universities
have large administrative de-
partments working on the pre-
sentation of relevant statistics.
Many of the smaller ones are
outstanding specialist institu-
tions. Whatever the league ta-
bles suggest, for an individual
student the best university is
the one that meets their particu-
lar needs, ensures their wellbe-
ing, and provides support when
there is an unforeseen crisis.
The decision to study abroad
is not just about the quality of
the universities. It involves a
wide range of problems outside
the university which can be very
depressing for international stu-
dents. A few true examples from
Britain make the point.
The first hurdle is English lan-
guage tests, such as IELTS.
These have taken root with little
questioning, and are now a ma-
Chris Williams
● Chris Williams is based at
the Center for International
Education and Research,
University of Birmingham,
United Kingdom.
● He can be reached at
chrisunula@yahoo.com
jor income earner for organiza-
tions such as the British Council,
which have dubious accountabil-
ity systems. Academics are not
convinced that these tests are an
accurate indication of language
ability. I am sure I could not pass
IELTS 7.0, because it tests a par-
ticular Americanized cognitive
style rather than the English
language.
Research from Imperial
College last week found that
“overseas students are better at
English than the British.” This
is partly because of an absurdi-
ty in admissions procedures. A
“British” student could be a re-
cent immigrant or asylum seek-
er who has never learned
English before coming to
Britain. It is likely that soon all
applicants will be tested for
English, and then the problems
with tests like IELTS will be-
come more apparent.
The next consideration is high
fees. These usually far exceed
the cost of a course, even when
domestic students are partly
subsidized by the government.
The truth is that universities
use the income from interna-
tional students to subsidize the
tuition costs of home students.
On top of that will be other high
costs, from accommodation to a
cup of coffee. Unlike East Asian
universities where these things
are underpriced to help stu-
dents, in the United Kingdom
they are overpriced to make
money from students.
The next hurdle getting a
visa. Like many other countries,
the United Kingdom has now
“exported its borders.” In theory
this is a good idea. The decision
should be made while students
are still in their home country,
not by an immigration officer at
Heathrow airport. But theory is
not matched by reality.
There has been a large in-
crease in the charge for a visa,
which must be paid in advance
whether or not the application is
successful, and the applicant
has no right to a proper expla-
nation if the application fails.
Poor administration is common.
Applications from some East
Asian countries, for example
Japan, are being sent to other
countries in South Asia for pro-
cessing, presumably because of-
fice costs are lower there. The
result is many weeks of unex-
plained delays.
In one case I had to involve the
Queen in redressing practice by
civil servants that was technical-
ly unlawful. As Head of State,
the Queen is formally responsi-
ble for passports. The immigra-
tion office was keeping passports
for up to three years because of
inefficiencies, during which time
the person concerned could not
travel home, even if a parent was
ill or had died.
Within days of complaining I
had a phone call from a polite
civil servant who promised that
the visa would be issued by the
next day. She asked if that was
acceptable. I replied that I
thought it was disgusting. Just
because I happen to understand
international law with sufficient
creativity to involve the Queen
should not be a reason for a fast-
track service.
Having gained a visa, the
next problem is the immigration
officer at the place of entry. The
“exporting borders” policy
means that now the only job for
these officials is to check
whether the person standing in
front of them matches the de-
scriptions and photos on the
passport and visa. So why do
they continue to ask young East
Asian women if they have
boyfriends in the United
Kingdom? This question has no
basis in the regulations, and
having a boyfriend is no legal
reason to refuse entry.
If this happens, give the an-
swer that you assume the immi-
gration officer wants to hear,
and get the entrance stamp in
your passport. Then ask the offi-
cial his/her name, which should
appear on the ID badge. Write
it down, and if you have time,
ask them to call their supervisor
and make a formal complaint.
Supervisors are usually more
intelligent than the desk staff.
Some are genuinely helpful.
In contrast, immigration offi-
cers at airports in East Asia are
pleasant and efficient. When the
immigration official completes
the formalities in China, a row of
lights illuminates on the desk
and the visitor is invited to press
a button to give the official a
score of 1 to 5 for efficiency. I can
predict with absolute certainty
that the British immigration au-
thorities would never introduce
this system. Yet as a visitor, this
makes you feel that a country is
confident about the quality of its
public officials?
Once you are in Britain, you
may find that the police regis-
tration system is operated by
unhelpful officers in a way that
is even contrary to their govern-
ment instructions. If you suffer
theft of your property, you may
find that the police officer does
not seem to believe you and does
not report the crime. But again,
if you complain, you are likely to
meet some of the best police offi-
cers in the world.
Of course, it is not all bad. The
quality of teaching in Britain will
usually be first class, and acade-
mic staff is usually helpful and
friendly, valuing international
students as partners and friends.
In general there will be no cor-
ruption, and departmental poli-
tics will rarely affect students.
And if you complain enough, you
will probably even meet excellent
government officials.
In the immediate future, East
Asian students will still travel
abroad to study. Recently, pro-
fessor Xu Jialu, a former mem-
ber of the Chinese National
People’s Congress, said that the
expanding economy demands
“huge” numbers of highly edu-
cated young people. Because of
the shortage of places in China,
many will still need to seek
their education abroad.
But that will change. Japan is
already realigning the focus of
its international recruitment to
other countries, because it is
well aware that Chinese univer-
sities are expanding and im-
proving rapidly, and the status
of an overseas qualification is
declining. There is a joke in
China that when students re-
turned home in the past, they
were “turtles” — high value rar-
ities which were in great de-
mand. Now they are just “sea-
weed,” something that drifts
back across the sea in large
amounts and only has function-
al value.
From what East Asian stu-
dents abroad say about their
home countries, there is a simple
message about how to encourage
Asian and other international
students to study in Asia — get
rid of corruption and power-play
in universities, and treat stu-
dents as equal partners within
the academic community.
The reason for international
study should be academic and a
desire to increase international
understanding, not western
countries making money be-
cause of avoidable failings else-
where. As “Asia advances,”
British academics have two re-
quests — don’t blame us for
what our governments do, and
do invite us to come and work
with you.

Challenges facing British social More students take up Korean studies

In an interview with The Korea departments as well as regional de- lows for this.

science and humanities education Herald after the forum, Paul Webley
discussed the recent rise in Korean
studies in the context of the growth
partments. This means that teach-
ings are divided between many de-
partments.
Also, studying in the West, one
grows up with Western knowledge.
But the other aspects of, say, Korean
By An Ji-yoon ness at only regarding science in all area studies degrees, and A bachelor in an area studies de- culture and history are completely
and technology as the best future spoke more specifically on the neces- gree is predominantly focused on foreign. These nonetheless need to
Korean humanities professors of the country worthy of invest- sity for cultural diversity and inter- linguistic competence. Though lan- be understood to gain a deeper
have long deplored the wither- ment. The consequent shortage disciplinary studying in higher edu- guage classes would be held at the knowledge of the topic. A degree in
ing of their departments, in of funding for humanities and so- cation. The following is a question- regional department, other aspects Korean studies would provide this,
what has been termed “the crisis cial sciences means that “higher and-answer with him — Ed. of that nation’s history would be whereas a degree in history would
in humanities.” In more recent degree social science research is held at the subject department. For only permit a glimpse into the re-
years, we hear about a “crisis in now undermined,” Webley said. example, a student in Korean stud- gion. The spreading of area studies
engineering,” due to the rising The necessity to embrace in- Korea Herald: What do you ies is able to take a module in is, thus, a combat to euro-central-
supremacy of medicine. Bright ternationalization was also em- see as the predominant reason Korean music offered at the depart- ism: combating euro-centralism in
Korean students increasingly phasized by Webley. As the in- for the general increase in inter- ments of music, allowing and en- disciplines around the world.
shun engineering departments ternational student market in est and number of applicants for couraging both an interdisciplinary
and flock to medicine as medical the United Kingdom reaches 14 Korean studies? and global approach to the subject. KH: Just out of curiosity, what
doctors are better paid. percent and the number of Paul Webley: Korea is hugely Similarly, a music student is offered percentage of students pursu-
In advanced countries, hu- British university campuses more visible in the West now than a choice of modules in Chinese and ing Korean studies is Korean?
manities and social science de- abroad also rapidly increases, ever before. In the recent past, the Korean music as well as Western And what do these students gen-
partments face similar prob- international-staff mobility and country has developed so quickly that musicology, which could result in erally pursue post-studying?
lems. Last week, Professor Paul collaboration between universi- its culture and history are better the student working with the PW: As undergraduate degrees
Webley, director and principle of ties was encouraged. “The bene- known. The impact of Korean compa- Centre for Korean/Chinese Studies. are intensely focused on linguistic
the prestigious School of fit of students being educated in nies is substantial. Other aspects This sort of education system not competence, it would defeat the
Oriental and African Studies, an international context” was such as Korean film, Korean food or only allows students to experience whole point of the course for
University of London, illustrat- called to attention. “When you even little things such as the secre- broader contexts of their specified Koreans to study the language! For
ed the problems faced by the recruit, you recruit the best tary general of the United Nations be- subjects, but also allows for a more masters, there are often students
British education system during leader(s) globally, not national- ing a Korean, have had a huge effect. varied class participation due to the with heritage background. But as
a lecture in Seoul. He was invit- ly,” stated Webley. The visibility of Korea is much sheer variety of students’ back- courses aim to attract students pas-
ed by the Korea Foundation. In conjunction, as students be- more explicit than it had been 10-15 grounds. I remember attending a sionate about that region, the re-
Webley summarized the chal- come “customers who pay a good years ago. The naive view that class in first year masters of reli- sults in student backgrounds are al-
lenges faced by British universi- deal,” Webley discussed the need Korean culture was a mix of gious studies. Out of 11 students, ways extremely varied. Even from
ties into three sources: shifts in Professor Paul Webley of SOAS for universities to accommodate Japanese and Chinese culture has there were nine different faith back- looking at the list of staff at the
governmental policies and the student demands. Beyond sim- changed, and it is now understood grounds: Buddhists, Muslims, Centre of Korean Studies, only an
consequent commercialization of universities; rapid envi- ply providing facilities, Webley spoke on the importance of as an entity of its own. As such, an Christians, Jews, all over. Where astonishing number of four out of 12
ronmental changes in which universities operate and the offering courses that students want to study. “The need to awareness of other countries and else but at SOAS would you get such members are Korean.
resulting competition for students and staff; and lastly, the act between being aware of government policies and eco- cultures widens people’s knowledge a cultural diversity? As the majority of undergraduate
rise in student expectations as students contribute sub- nomic success, but also being sensitive to what students and this kind of knowledge is far degrees in Korean studies are com-
stantially to the financial systems of universities. would like is the issues of 21st century,” concluded Webley. more sought nowadays than before. KH: If the emphasis lies on cul- bined with a different discipline, the
Through describing the recent merging in the United Webley was invited as a speaker of the 19th Korea tural diversity, why study area combination of competence in the
Kingdom of the “department of innovation, university and Foundation Forum held at the JW Marriot Hotel in south- KH: Korean studies at SOAS studies? Put another way, why Korean language with proficiency
skill” to create a “department of business, innovation and ern Seoul last Tuesday. offer both single and combined study “Korean studies” when in, say, economics would perfectly
skill,” Webley alluded to the British government’s busi- Established in 1991, the Korea Foundation aims to pro- degrees, with secondary sub- you can study “history” and prepare graduates to work for a
ness-like approach in running the education system like a mote a better understanding of Korea in the international jects available in 15 different learn the significance of Korean Korean business company. Others
company. “Facing the government, we have a utilitarian community and to foster global friendship by conducting disciplines. What are the advan- history within a larger pool? could go into NGOs. As most people
approach to higher education ... the reality of the govern- exchange activities between Korea and other countries tages in integrating Western PW: In order to truly understand at SOAS are in love with their re-
ment has been the emphasis on skills and state promo- around the world. Other than annual forums, the founda- “pure” subjects with regional a region and a history, you need to gions of interest, they tend to pursue
tion,” Webley said. tion also offers fellowships and grants for students study- (area) studies? And how suc- be linguistically informed to gain jobs that involve that region in some
Quoting the minister of higher education’s request to ing Korean studies outside the peninsula and organizes cessful are such amalgams? that regional knowledge. The lin- way or another, regionally or inter-
universities “to place great emphasis on economic out- intellectual and cultural exchanges. PW: SOAS is made up of subject guistic component of area studies al- nationally.
comes,” Webley criticized the government’s short sighted- (jyan2787@gmail.com)