Editorial
Should Universities Increase the Number of International Students?
Schools must think about what true internationalization means
By Min-Jeong Ju
2025-07-21
Recently, Gachon University became the top university in Korea for the number of international students. It also created the nation’s first “International College” just for those students. At first glance, this policy seems like a step toward globalization. However, the experience of many students and professors tells a different story. One major issue is the academic attitude of some international students. A professor who teaches a liberal arts course shared that, “The university told us to make sure international students receive high grades.” This is because their visas depend on maintaining good academic performance. But this approach is lowering students’ motivation to study. The professor added, “We prepared a very easy test for students who hadn’t studied at all, but many still failed. In the end, we had to give them low grades, even if we had to report it to the school.” In a system where grades are almost guaranteed, students may stop taking classes seriously, which creates stress for both professors and Korean students. There are other problems as well. Last year, dormitory space for Korean students was reduced to make room for 250 international students. Gachon University has three dormitories, one of which is reserved exclusively for international students. Even so, reducing space for local freshmen to accommodate more foreign students suggests that the school is not fully considering the needs of its current students. This year, the university launched a new “International University,” continuing its policy of attracting international students. Welcoming international students can indeed help promote global understanding and diversity. However, increasing the number of students without improving the quality of education or the satisfaction of the campus community can erode the university's foundation. Internationalization and support for international students are important goals. But if those policies create stress or dissatisfaction among Korean students and professors, then the university should reconsider its direction. True internationalization doesn’t mean simply accepting large numbers of students from other countries — it means educating them well and helping them succeed. What Gachon University needs now is not more international students, but a better learning environment where those already here can grow into responsible and successful learners.