<p>Phdinee:
umm… to a certain extent that may be true… But if you put it that way, Korea did not have a college/university before the 1950s… The US? dates back to 1700… Also, Korea was categorized a developing country up untill the mid 1970s… Point being, your reason/validation is not applicable. just saying xD</p>
<p>all that is so ridiculous- all these perfect score asians- what does all this cramming and painful almost suffering accomplish-are they happy? otherwise what is the point of life?–its to be happy (atleast in my mind)-- so does memorizing all that crap do it</p>
<p>i could ramble but i wont- i just dont get those ppl</p>
<p>Yes, Pearl, money is a reason too.
But like I said earlier, philosophies in education do differ in US and in Asia, Korea in particular.
And those who come to US for study, graduate or UG, a majority of them choose to stay in the US at least for a while, so that they contribute to the US. And there are many Asians who are already in the US as citizens or resident aliens, they are not exceptions when it comes to education, and they are not going anywhere after college. </p>
<p>Also, having more money won’t change the situation overnite. Maybe 20-30 years down the road if those countries keep doing well. But still it won’t be like the US, simply because those countries tend to be rather homogenious if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>In short, these Koreans are extremely good at producing quick short term results but in the long term it is still true that slow and steay wins the race.</p>
<p>wait oh man u guys are wrong!
those kids in that two schools want it
that’s why they’re there</p>
<p>i know some who graduated and said it was the best memory and exp. ever
one even said they missed it
they said altho it was a hardwork it was fun b/c they didn’t jjust study 24 7 365
but they did other fun activities(which top american univeristies requires )</p>
<p>I’ve really enjoyed reading through this discussion.</p>
<p>I’m Korean, but I was adopted at a young age. I go to a rural public school, and sometimes I wish could attend one of those rigorous Korean schools, if not only to be in a more competitive environment.</p>
<p>I realize now that I probably wouldn’t succeed or even enjoy such an environment, but I still think the school system in my small part of the world could learn a thing or two from the Korean system (and perhaps vice-versa).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You certainly didn’t read the post below:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My mom and I were talking about this a while ago as well. Although she is in opposition of kids not being able to pursue their individual interests (which is not the case in Minjok or Daewon…they are highly funded.), she says that Koreans live by the motto “work hard, enjoy later.” I have never been actually “forced” to be that way by my parents, but the general atmosphere has rubbed off on me (I moved to the U.S. when I was 8…I am now 14). Although my motivation is not even comparable to those students at Minjok or Daewon, I think my current sacrifices are petty compared to the things that I may achieve later on in life. To describe this as an analogy, it’s like picking a fruit when it’s riper; you can eat the banana while it has some green spots, or wait until it’s fully yellow. </p>
<p>Anyways, the problem is not the students at Minjok and Daewon. Just attending the school is prestigious enough to send them to a top-tier university in Korea. However, it’s those students in public schools who have to work so much more on their own to be accepted into the same universities. Consequently, the public school kids generally are the kids who are studying 24/7, no ecs.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I find this absolutely extraordinary. As rare as a 2390 SAT is here, imagine having to take a test comparable to the SAT in say… Korean. Or your second language in school (Spanish for most)–although that would be easier since Spanish is closer to English than English is to Korean. Especially the critical reading section and the writing section. Wow. And then self studying 9 AP tests, again in a foreign language? </p>
<p>Though I would have to say that you do NOT have to lead this kind of lifestyle to succeed in all Asian countries, or even in all parts of Korea. These kids are being bred to enter American universities, which is extremely difficult as an international applicant, especially one from an non-English speaking background. </p>
<p>Just because I disagree with the core values of the educational system in Asia, doesn’t mean I don’t respect these students immensely. They’ve put in more work and more dedication than I can imagine doing, and yet for all their efforts they may end up with a job in Korea that pays much less than a managerial job in America (as another poster pointed out). </p>
<p>It just reminds me how incredibly lucky I am to be here in America… it’s harder for Asians than whites to succeed here, but at least I’m not in Asia ^.^</p>
<p>this is bs.
Korea may be a hard country to study at, but it is not that harsh. From experience, I know that there are many challenges there, and that it is hard to get a good grade, but I disagree with the comments here. I mean, look at how quickly Koreans have recovered from the Japanese capture, and how fast the nation is advancing in technology and ways of life. Korean parents push children becuase they want the best for them.
There may be many other opinions, but this is the complete truth.
The parents in the article are some of the few that seem to go too far. All in all, I believe Korean parents are the best when it comes to caring for their kids. There life revolves around what is best for their children, and you cannot think badly of this. These harsh ways of “educating” children exist in every nation, it is just, they are a minority. Media is singling out our nation, but in reality, it is happening everywhere. DO NOT believe these comments above.</p>
<p>Not all Asians are like this… Sure, some are competitive but not at this extraordinary level. </p>
<p>These kids are the best of the best. The brightest students Korea has to offer in the college meatgrinder competition. This still does not mean anyone would want to live like this… My philosophy is enjoy the now, because the concept of “striving toward the future” is too overrated.</p>
<p>i agree most asians aren’t like this. and the ones that are dont make more money or anything than the ones that dont do this.</p>
<p>The one constant throughout this entire debate:</p>
<p>Koreans rock at Starcraft. :3</p>
<p>… you can kick me out for the non-sequitur now</p>
<p>And to answer the question of “Why do they do this? Are they happy?” from another poster, I’d say they do this because they have to to succeed in the cutthroat competition in Asia. Be grateful you don’t have to. And also this is a huge part of the culture, the emphasis on education… whereas America has a very anti-intelligence kind of culture that focuses more on sports… so it may be hard for you to imagine, but “nerdy” kids are NOT looked down upon. It’s considered something to be proud of. </p>
<p>And I think this article exaggerates some stuff… we have a posting from a student from minjok saying this also, if you scroll up the thread.</p>
<p>Well. even with the best of the best, this is not true for most. I had all A’s in my classes and I was ranked #2 in my school of over 2000. My parents just gave me a pat on the back and that was that. They have NEVER told me to study. EVER.
I’ve gotten a C before. They just said, “Try to do better next time” Its the same this year, and it’ll be the same for the years to come.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>While the education system in Korea (as well as Japan, Taiwan, India, China, Russia, etc.) are a bit “out of whack” – where there is fierce competition to get into the top schools (due to the fact that the job market is really competitive – many more college grads than jobs), the most fierce competition is reserved for gaining entrance into the top universities in each of those respective countries.</p>
<p>Think that getting into Harvard is hard? Try getting into Seoul National University, University of Tokyo or the Indian Institutes of Technology.</p>
<p>And it’s not like we see some of that here as well. Parents spending 100K+ to send their kids to the top prep schools (in NYC - it starts as early as pre-K).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s not like that stuff isn’t available in Korea (it’s just cheaper here; which is the reason why so many Europeans come to NYC to do their shopping).</p>
<p>And it’s not like the Koreans (or other Asians) made them the “hot, prestige brands”.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Right - S. Korea recently passed Germany and the UK in the no. of int’l patent applications.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Korea, Taiwan, etc. used to have among the lowest suicide rates in the world (the highest currently are in Eastern Europe), but w/ industrialization and hyper-competition - the rate as skyrocketed.</p>
<p>wow, this article is an eye opener. I never realized that schools like that actually existed. However, I do admire the determination those kids have.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Actually, the Ivies and other top schools are following the $$$ (it’s no coincidence that many foreign Ivy students are the scions of wealthy industrialists).</p>
<p>And it’s not like this type of hypercompetition isn’t seen in schools in Africa either - where there is immense competition to get into the top middle and high schools, universities - w/ the top prize being a schollie to an American university.</p>
<p>Why are we referring specifically to Korea here? What makes Japan and China different?</p>
<p>^^ because maybe if you read the first post you would’ve understand.</p>
<p>I searched for this and didn’t see it in this thread. Here’s another take on this topic from a gentleman who has personal experience at these top schools: </p>
<p>[Scribblings</a> of the Metropolitician: Korean Foreign Language High Schools – Heaven for Korean Students?](<a href=“http://metropolitician.blogs.com/scribblings_of_the_metrop/2008/04/korean-foreign.html]Scribblings”>http://metropolitician.blogs.com/scribblings_of_the_metrop/2008/04/korean-foreign.html)</p>