[Corona Hakbeon] A Blocked Study Abroad Path and an Uncertain Future

School Enrollment Suspended Due to Fear of COVID-19 Infection and Growing Job Insecurity from Declining Competitiveness

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Lee Hwan-gi (23, pseudonym), who is majoring in economics at university, has dreamed of studying related subjects in the United States since entering college. However, with COVID-19 spreading widely in the U.S., he feels uncertain. The number of universities available for exchange students has significantly decreased compared to before the pandemic. Additionally, he fears the consequences of infection, especially since he is not yet proficient in English.

As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, young people dreaming of studying abroad are sighing. Schools they wish to attend have stopped recruiting students, or concerns about infection make it difficult to embark on study abroad journeys. According to the Bank of Korea, payments for overseas study and training, which refer to money spent on tuition and other expenses by residents studying abroad, amounted to only $2.71 billion (about 3.013 trillion KRW) last year. This is a 22.1% decrease compared to the previous year and the lowest level since 2004.

Kim Yoon-ji (23, pseudonym), who hopes to study piano in Germany, also feels stuck as her study abroad plans are blocked. The German school she intended to attend suddenly stopped recruiting international students. Although some schools plan to recruit students again in June this year, the situation could change at any time. She said, "I don't have a Plan B prepared, so currently, studying abroad is my only option."

Youths also worry that if they cannot study abroad, they will lose competitiveness in the job market. According to the “COVID-19 and Youth Labor Conditions” study released by the Youth Committee under the Economic, Social and Labor Council, among 596 youths aged 29 or younger and 447 specialized high school students surveyed, 91% of young job seekers responded that it has become harder to find employment since the spread of COVID-19. Young people who find it difficult to study abroad fear that this reality might become their future amid the uncertainty of when the pandemic will end. Sung Yoon-joo (22, pseudonym), who hopes to study English in the U.S., said, "I have to start preparing for employment soon, and if I miss this chance, I might never be able to study abroad again." She added, "In the job market, I have to compete with seniors and juniors, but I worry that only people my age will be disadvantaged because of COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.