Despite the differences in language and culture, many Korean students choose to live in the Philippines due to these four reasons.
For years, Korean pop culture has enchanted many Filipinos. From Korean drama and music to food, make-up, and fashion trends, Pinoys can’t get enough of the Korean Wave. As a result, several Korean restaurants, convenience stores, and K-pop retailers have mushroomed in various parts of the Philippines in recent years. It seems like Filipinos love anything and anyone related to South Korea and this fascination won’t go away anytime soon.
Interestingly, many Koreans have taken the appeal of living in the Philippines for various purposes. In a commentary article by Inquirer, it was revealed over a million Koreans arrived in the Philippines in 2017 (100,000 of them already permanent residents). Manila has the largest concentration of Koreans living in the country, with Cebu in second place.
So what exactly draws Koreans, specifically students, to live in the Philippines? Here are four possible reasons why:
Filipinos’ Fluency in English
Most Koreans go to the Philippines to study English. For many Korean families, sending their kids to study in the Philippines is more cost-efficient than sending them to study in other English-speaking countries. With many qualified English-speaking Filipino teachers in the country, it is no surprise that many Korean students choose the Philippines as their learning ground to become more fluent in the English language.
Lower Cost of Living
The Philippines has a lower cost of living than South Korea or other Western countries offering high-quality education. Aside from saving on their kids’ educational fees without sacrificing education quality, parents can also avail of condo units or homes at affordable prices.
For example, some Urban Deca Homes units can be rented for around Php 15,000 pesos a month. These units are well equipped with facilities that make learning from home conducive while providing a secure environment. Plus, the condo development’s location in Tondo brings future student tenants closer to their schools in Manila.
The Warmth and Hospitality of Filipinos
Koreans coming to the Philippines are often welcomed with warmth and love. They may experience the same hospitality and kindness in their schools and residences. With such warmth and kind accommodation, anyone will surely enjoy their stay in the Philippines.
Koreans are also warmly welcomed into the Philippines since many Filipinos are keen on learning to speak the Korean language fluently. In this way, Korean and Filipino students both learn from each other while embracing each other’s culture and way of life.
Close Proximity of the Two Countries
Flying from South Korea to international airports in the Philippines may take at least three to four hours. This is a more cost-efficient option for some families which is why they choose to send their kids to study in top-caliber colleges and universities in the Philippines rather than send them to other countries. Plus, the close proximity of the two countries lets parents contact their kids and vice versa without worrying about a significant time zone difference.
To sum up, there are many ways that the citizens of South Korea and the Philippines can learn from each other while also embracing their cultural diversity. Given these four reasons, it is not surprising to see the Philippines continuing to be a prospective residence for many Korean students.
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