8/14/2019 Helping Poor University Students

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Helping University Students05-11-2009 17:19 By Michael Stevens, adapted by Rob Ouwehand

Over the past couple years, many Korean university students have protested increases in

tuition at many Korean universities. Added to their stress is the knowledge that many ofthese students will have hard time finding work in the near future, if at all, due to the worldeconomic downturn. Many students and their families may default on loans, which couldlead to long-term credit problems.

Likewise, universities are also having financial difficulties, and are trying to figure out howto improve their programs while also lowering the cost of operating. One method used inthe past was attracting businesses like McDonald's and Starbucks to their campuses.Other schools tried to shut down unpopular departments such as sociology and someEuropean languages. However, both of these methods met strong resistance from theirstudent bodies.

It left universities with no alternative except to increase tuition for all students. The KoreaTimes reported last February that, a freshman entering the medical college at KoreaUniversity will most likely have to pay 16 million won in tuition and admission fees for theirfirst year and these costs are expected to increase again.

Regrettably, the financial burden of having university-age students may be too great forsome families. Many qualified students may be denied the opportunity to study atprestigious universities in and around Seoul. However, it is vital for the government toensure that these students have the opportunity to go to these universities.

There are a number of ways the government can do this: first by giving tax breaks to allfamilies whose university-age children perform at least 200 hours of community serviceduring their summer and winter breaks, helping the poor or the elderly. Second, thegovernment could start summer work programs which hire university students to cleanstreets and parks to help beautify Korea.

These two suggestions will not only help students pay for university but also will instill inthem a sense of civic responsibility and the strong work ethic that is desperatelyneeded in todays youth.

The benefits of such programs for Korea are also numerous. It minimizes so-calledhandouts and it isn't just another social welfare program that where tax payers pay out,without getting anything in return. This might even help the Korean tourism industry, sinceone of the most common negative images of Korea is that it is polluted and dirty.

While it is true that education is extremely important, it is equally vital that students do notjust get free handouts, since no one ever truly understands the value of money or aneducation until they've had to work for it.

The writer is student of Biblical studies. He can be reached at eslcity@gmail.com.http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/05/137_44706.html

http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/05/137_44706.htmlmailto:eslcity@gmail.comhttp://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/05/137_44706.htmlhttp://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/05/137_44706.htmlmailto:eslcity@gmail.commailto:eslcity@gmail.com