WNAM REPORT: A Vietnamese student who studied in Korea expressed frustration about spending most of his internship doing tasks unrelated to the job description, simply because he is a foreigner.
“I was hired as an intern for a software engineering role, but I was quickly transferred to a global business department handling Vietnam-related tasks. The company didn’t give me a chance to apply my major and only seemed to expect me to serve as a translator,” he said.
Many international students share similar experiences, dreaming of a “Korean dream” but finding it difficult to secure opportunities to work in their field and settle in the country.”
“I’m only doing translation work and preparing meeting minutes. I asked my supervisor for tasks related to my major, but nothing has changed,” said B, a Myanmar national who spoke during an online interview late last year.
B, who holds a master’s degree in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined a Korean forestry research institute hoping to continue their studies in a technologically advanced environment and gain field experience. However, the institute assigned only tasks related to translation, leaving no room for professional growth.
Similarly, C, a Chinese student with a master’s degree from Sungkyunkwan University, had to leave Korea despite a stellar academic record, including a GPA of 4.21 out of 4.5 and Level 6 proficiency in the TOPIK Korean language test.
After struggling to find employment or acceptance into a Ph.D. program, C resorted to part-time work at a restaurant before ultimately moving to Japan. “Japan offers better opportunities for foreign students to dream about their future,” C said during a virtual interview on Jan. 20.
Even those who manage to pursue advanced studies in Korea face challenges. D, a Chinese researcher who earned both their master’s and doctorate degrees in Korea and currently works as a postdoctoral researcher at Hanyang University, expressed similar frustrations. “It’s not easy to work in academia or find a job in Korea. The opportunities for foreigners are just too limited,” D said.
Long-term employment strategies needed
According to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Development, only about 30 percent of foreign students with STEM doctorates from Korea (579 individuals as of 2022) remain employed in the country.
As Korea grapples with a shortage of advanced technology specialists, calls are growing for systemic support to help international talent settle.
During a National Assembly audit last year, Rep. Choi Soo-jin of the ruling People Power Party said, “To advance in cutting-edge fields like semiconductors and AI, foreign researchers are essential. The government must go beyond attracting talent and provide support for employment and settlement.”
A shift in corporate perspectives is also necessary. Jang Hye-jin, head of a foreign employment consulting platform, said, “Companies need to create more internship opportunities for foreign students to gain experience during their studies.”
Choi Seo-ri, a researcher at the Migration Research Institute, said, “Industries lack experience in hiring foreigners. Companies must consider how to integrate foreign talent not temporarily but as part of a long-term strategy.”
