For reflection, I wrote a short essay that is mainly about my personal experiences related to education. Apologies for posting it so late..! I forgot to post it through this website..
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Education has always historically, socially and politically been a major and controversial issue since there are substantial different ideal education environment depending on each person’s beliefs and values. Considering its importance, it is undeniable that such topic has deserved worldwide attention. In terms of the UK education system, British education relatively has a high reputation, however, it might be true that there are still several aspects, requiring improvements. As my reflection on this course, I will firstly explore Korean education system as an international student myself from South Korea, subsequently do general positive reflection on this course by presenting issues that I found in British education system and briefly do general personal reflection on this course to conclude it.
The main reason I decided to proceed my education in the UK was due to the differences between the British and Korean education system. Personally, I believe there are considerable problems in South Korean education system, having unhealthy obsession with education, specifically in terms of high school and the university educational circumstances. In South Korea, 85% of adults have completed upper secondary education that are higher than the OECD average of 76%. Since having undergraduate degree is extremely common, students have competed to enter top universities under intense pressure. The average Korean high school students have a 15-hour school day from about 7am until 10pm and most students go to private education institutions after that, studying until 12am or even more depending on years. In addition to this stressful educational system, there are also considerable problems with regard to general educational circumstances. For example, Korean students barely ask questions to teachers because Korean education specifically tends to highlight cramming method of teaching rather than interactive teaching strategies. Also, most tests from elementary schools to high schools are multiple questions and there is no essay-based question. Such culture has impacts on universities as well, mostly having only lecture-based classes, which results in difficulties to ask questions and interact with professors.Due to these aspects, I decided to study in the UK since I thought I could have more chances to think critically and to discuss openly. And it has been already roughly five months since I started my education in Edinburgh which might be short but the long period at the same time. From my experience, I think it is true that there are much more opportunities through not only having closer relationships with professors but also through seminars and tutorials. Nevertheless, it might be true that there are some problems in British education.
In terms of this course, “The Future Of Our University” was the only optional course that I took in semester 1. I chose this course because the course structure seemed so fascinating, and I thought it is a perfect course for me since I am really interested in rethinking existed problems in the current educational system and finding ways of formulating ideal educational circumstances. Indeed, I really enjoyed this course through the semester. I have found this course is really interesting because I could observe and involve in a process to organize the way of learning and to structure the course itself as well. Also, it was really beneficial and useful time to think about topics from completely new perspectives through listening to others. To be honest, I had not known that before I took this course that there are also considerable problems in British educational system since I barely knew about the system. Obviously, I still do not know in depth regarding such issues, however, I have been thinking and learning about these issues by taking this course. In fact, I have found some issues during studying here. Firstly, it has been argued that a large number of UK universities have proceeded radical expansion through recent years, having contracts with considerable private sectors and accepting considerable international students that pay a large amount of money (e.g; from £18,800 to £32,100 depending on degrees, the Edinburgh university), which is not a problem itself but it might be criticized as an issue of the marketization of higher education. Arguably, I believe that ideal schools and universities should be purely educational institutions where students actually learn and obtain knowledge rather than private business, only aiming to pursue its profits. Secondly, it could be pointed out that the ways and forms of assignments are quite limited such as essays and exams that are not sufficiently flexible. It might be possible to consider more creative and practical ways of learnings and evaluation rather than just writing essays. Lastly, it might be true that there are issues of bureaucratization, that are often discussed in social sciences sphere. Before I started my education in here, I had thought such issues do not exist in British universities. However, after taking this course in last semester, I could find considerable articles and academic journals that discuss these issues of bureaucratization in British universities, specifically regarding rise of academic bureaucracy, and indeed I could observe that a large number of universities have gradually become more hierarchical.
Although I really enjoyed this course throughout the semester by learning and exploring considerable aspects, I have constantly encountered some personal academic and cultural challenges due to a lack of confidence and language skills as an international student.Specifically, I have found difficulties in terms of active tutorial and seminar participations. Before I started my education in here, I did research to prepare a big transition from a high school in South Korea to the UK university. Through that research, I have had awareness that active academic participation is vital including expressing thoughts and interacting with students through discussions. Despite that fact, it has been extremely challenging for me due to aforementioned issues and it is deemed that I could still probably encounter such difficulties. However, I firmly believe that I can overcome and improve such issues throughout this second semester and the rest of studying years. And I believe that this course is a such good opportunity to do so and I am excited to continue this journey.
What an interesting perspective! I think one of the most valuable parts of this reflection for me is seeing the problems in the university of Edinburgh, which we have all discussed at length, put in a broader context and compared to South Korea. Its interesting to hearing your experience that you came to the university of Edinburgh specifically to avoid the more extreme versions of the problems which we are discussing in regard to the university here. It also quite encouraging for me to see someone who could think critically about the education system in Korea despite being in it to such a point that you decided you wanted to leave and find somewhere with more critical thought. I think many people may have simply given up and stayed there just going through the motions in order to pass. Its great to see you have pushed yourself outside your comfort zone, even in choosing to write in essay format, which you said was not used in Korea. I’m glad you found this course and it really seems you’ve gained so much from it already. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Hi Chawon, thanks for sharing this. I agree with Gray – I think this a really interesting reflection on the comparative differences and challenges facing educational systems in both the UK and South Korea. Given that the UK government seems to be so focused on the PISA league tables and the South Korean models of education I think your reflections on the limitations/challenges of studying under that model are very relevant.
Rather than repeat what Gray has said in his comments I’d like to pick up on the points you made regarding the personal/cultural challenges of engaging with such a different educational system as I think it’s something that is of particular relevance here at Edinburgh given the large number of foreign students that the university/city welcomes. I have a lot of respect for people such as yourself who put yourself in the very difficult position of not only moving so far from home but also engaging with challenging academic study in a non-native language and an unfamiliar culture/educational system.
I think your reflections highlight that perhaps those of us who are from Edinburgh/the UK/are native English speakers perhaps need to be doing more to actively open up space and time in discussions for international students to feel comfortable and confident to contribute? I’m not sure if this is something that you and other international students feel? It would be interesting to hear some perspectives on this as the contribution from people of different backgrounds invariably adds an extra depth and richness to discussions in my experience.
Thanks again for sharing your reflection 🙂