Professor Kessler presents ‘ Cultivating a Wellness Life for International Students in South Korea’ at the National Association of Foreign Scholars in Korea 2024 Conference.

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관리자 2024-10-12 00:00

Presentation Abstract: The South Korean government has launched the Study Korea 300K Project, aiming to attract 300,000 foreign students by 2027 (Korean Ministry of Education, 2023). This initiative seeks to boost university revenues, as many institutions face declining domestic enrollments. However, attracting and retaining international students presents

challenges. Many international students encounter language barriers, differences in communication styles, and experiences of discrimination. Additionally, South Koreans are often unfamiliar with engaging in cultural exchanges with foreigners. Research from Western universities indicates that international students typically face greater psychological, social, and academic challenges compared to domestic students. Given these findings, it is essential to examine how acculturation stressors impact the academic well-being of international students within the South Korean context. This paper aims to investigate these issues, exploring the experiences of international students in South Korea and assessing the effectiveness of the Study Korea 300K Project in addressing these challenges.