Studying abroad is for learning.

Korean language proficiency is the first requirement.

The Korean language classes at the BMT International Study Abroad Training and Support Center are held almost seven days a week. The students here include recent high school graduates as well as university students. However, everyone who participates in the class is serious and diligent.

Korean language class for students applying to study abroad. Photo: DA

Compared to her classmates, Nguyen Thi Khanh Huyen is a rather outstanding student. She was a 12th-grade student specializing in Biology at Vinh University High School for Gifted Students and recently completed the National High School Graduation Examination with a high score. However, because she aspires to study abroad in South Korea, Huyen did not apply to universities in Vietnam. Instead, she set her sights on Seoul National University – Business Administration department.

This was also a dream Huyen had cherished for quite some time. Therefore, throughout her 12th grade year, Huyen diligently studied Korean on her own, and in April 2019, she took the TOPIK Level 1 exam. A few months later, she obtained the TOPIK Level 2 certificate. With these two important qualifications, Huyen is now eligible to study in South Korea, but she will continue to stay until the end of the year to further improve her Korean language skills.

Foreign language skills are a crucial criterion for international students to feel confident when studying and working in South Korea. Photo: DA

Unlike Huyen, Luong Hong Quan graduated from high school four years ago. The male student, who was formerly a student at Huynh Thuc Khang High School, also spent some time as a student at the University of Transport and Communications.

However, at this time, Quan decided to stop all his work in Vietnam to prioritize learning Korean. Speaking about this, Quan said: "Many people told me to try to graduate with a university degree in Vietnam. But I don't regret sacrificing four years because I want a better future, to study a profession I love and to work in a dynamic, modern environment."

Staff at the BMT International Study Abroad Training and Support Center advise students before they go to study in South Korea. Photo: DA

Having previously worked as a teacher in Thanh Chuong district and then spent five years working in South Korea, Ms. Nguyen Hoai Dung – a teacher at the BMT International Study Abroad Training and Support Center – said: Learning Korean is not too difficult. For high school graduates, it only takes 5 months to obtain a TOPIK certificate. With diligence and determination, students can communicate well in just 3 months.

Prioritize quality over quantity.

Since 2016, the BMT International Study Abroad Training and Support Center has been operating in the field of studying in South Korea and is also one of the pioneering units in Nghe An.

Over the past four years, the center has helped nearly 500 students from Nghe An and some neighboring provinces to study in South Korea, and many are preparing to graduate and start working. Among them, quite a few students from disadvantaged backgrounds have received support from the center, including loans for tuition fees or scholarships from universities in South Korea, such as Nguyen Dinh Tuan from Nghi Quang, Nghi Loc; Nguyen Viet Tai from Nghi Thiet, Nghi Loc; and Nguyen Thi Kieu from Tru Son, Do Luong.

To study in South Korea, students must have at least a TOPIK Level 2 certificate. (Photo: DA)

However, alongside the positive results, the BMT International Training and Study Abroad Support Center also faces difficulties, with a significant number of students absconding or showing a lack of responsibility while studying abroad. Regarding this, Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, Director of the Center, stated: "Even a single case of a student absconding will greatly affect the company's reputation and cause damage to both the workers – the agency sending them abroad – and the universities."

In fact, this has also led the center to cease cooperation with many prestigious universities in South Korea. Therefore, focusing on the quality of incoming students is a priority for BMT currently. This is also why, even though this is the "golden" time to recruit students for studying abroad, the center is quite cautious in selecting students. Moreover, they require students to have a Topik 2 certificate before accepting their application for studying abroad.

Instead of focusing on quantity, current overseas student recruitment emphasizes quality. Photo: DA

Sharing his thoughts on the decision, Mr. Nguyen Phi Long added: "With this approach, we are setting ourselves on a difficult path. But I believe that in the long run, this is a sure direction and guarantees the effectiveness and quality of training. Because I want students to see that studying abroad is primarily about 'learning.' Then, when they have sufficient language skills and qualifications, their chances of staying and working long-term will be greater, and their income will certainly be higher, and they will be more respected."

To achieve this, the center is currently focusing on providing foreign language training for students before they go abroad for their studies, ensuring that 100% of students achieve TOPIK Level 2. The center has also invested in a standard language lab, recruited teachers who have studied in Korea to participate in teaching, and strengthened its links with language centers at Korean universities to test students' proficiency. Currently, the company is collaborating with six Korean universities: Incheon University, Cheongju University, Mokpo University, Deagu Tech University, Dong Eui University, Masan University, etc.

By participating in this program, students also receive special benefits. For example, while other study abroad programs may require students to spend nearly 300 million VND (including a deposit against absconding), this program reduces the initial cost to approximately 170 million VND, without the need for a deposit. Students also have more options with a wider selection of schools and the opportunity to work legally.

BMT International Study Abroad Training and Support CenterIt is located at College of Economics and Technology No. 1, km1 Lenin Avenue, Vinh City.

Phone:02386 655 666Hotline:0975 448 886

Facebook:Study in South Korea with BMT

Web:duhocbmt.edu.vn

E-mailduhocbmt@gmail.com.