Social integration of foreign students in Korean higher education : a case study of Southeast Asian student in Seoul National University

Abstract

This study aims to understand social integration of Southeast Asian students who studied in Seoul National University by using Bosswick & Heckman social integration theory in order to understand social integration and how important of language towards foreign students help them in specially adjust themselves into Korean society. The important of language is used to examine social integration. The qualitative approach was applied in this study.

Four dimensions of social integration theory are acknowledged as the central components of successful integration: structural, cultural, interactive, and identification. And the samples were 20 Southeast Asian students in Seoul National University. The research instrument employed in this study was In-depth individual interview to receive more information in different way about their perspective towards Korean society.

Based on the results, the most respondents think language is important to them to get along with Korean society and easy to interact with Korean people. The results show that most respondents choose to come to study in Korea with their own decision so they can easily to adapt themselves into Korean society and more understanding about character of Korean society.