Why South Korea?
I initially chose Korea because it offered what I was looking for: safety, reasonable living costs, strong higher education, and an active student life. I also wanted an international environment, so it was important to me that my university had many international students and offered programs fully in English.
Financial aid was another important part of my experience. I receive a full tuition scholarship by maintaining a high GPA, although the amount of support can decrease if my GPA drops.
What studying 4 years in South Korea is actually like
Before coming to Korea, I expected studying there to be extremely difficult, but I did not know about the Curving System. Instead of being graded only based on your own score, your results can be evaluated in comparison with other students in the class. With around 40–60 students in a class, this creates a constant sense of competition.
For example, getting 98% does not necessarily guarantee an A+. If ten students out of a class of 40–60 receive 100%, your grade could even be a B+ simply because someone scored one percentage point higher than you.
There is a constant feeling of competition between students, every day.
My University and Student Life
One of the things I value most about my university is its international focus. It collaborates with many universities and has exchange programs, dual-degree, and double-degree programs. In some cases, students can study at two universities and graduate with two degrees within four years.
The university also makes it relatively easy to meet people from different countries. Students are generally open and welcoming, and there are many events designed to bring people together. Culture Day and Sports Day are some of the biggest examples, with students preparing for them for months while getting to know each other and different cultures.
From South Korea to France
My university also offers exchange opportunities, which eventually allowed me to spend a semester in Paris at ESSEC Business School, one of the leading business schools in France. I chose Paris partly because I liked the location and saw it as an opportunity to combine a strong academic experience with traveling around Europe.
After four years of studying in Korea, moving to France gave me a chance to experience a completely different academic environment.
From South Korea to France: Two Different Academic Worlds
The biggest difference I noticed was the level of competition. In Korea, the Curving System creates constant competition because your grade can depend on how you perform compared with other students. In France, students are generally evaluated based on their own performance rather than being ranked against their classmates, so the academic environment felt much less competitive and less stressful than in Korea.
The assessment itself was also different. In France, some professors rarely use traditional exams. Students often complete projects and presentations instead, which evaluate their knowledge throughout the semester. Some courses also offer opportunities to retake exams, which is not common in Korea.
What Korea Taught About My Future
After experiencing both systems, I realized that Korea feels like a better place for me to build my life. It offers many opportunities, and I find the transition from university to employment more straightforward. Universities also seem to provide more support with employment than I experienced in Europe.
For international students, language can be another factor. In Europe, knowing the local language can be especially important when looking for a job. In Korea, however, there are many companies where knowing Korean is not necessarily required.
At the same time, Paris gave me a valuable perspective on what university can look like outside Korea. Studying in two different countries helped me understand that there is no single ideal education system. Different environments offer different advantages.
What I Would Tell Future Students
My biggest advice to students who want to study in Korea is not to stress too much about grades and to choose your environment carefully. The academic competition can be intense, but the people around you can make a major difference in your experience.
After four years in Korea and a semester in Paris, I think the most important thing is to find an environment where you can not only study, but also build your life, meet people from different backgrounds, and explore opportunities beyond the classroom.
