Last month, Concordia's dedicated High School Counselor, Dr. Cecilia Erasmus, embarked on a crucial visit to Seoul. This university tour for international school counselors was planned in collaboration with International School Bangkok and with the assistance of Concordia's Korean University specialist, Mr. Kim. The strategic trip aimed to help counselors better understand the changing admissions landscape within top Korean universities. Concordia Hanoi remains vigilant about understanding the latest developments in Korean higher education, and is committed to ensuring that our students receive accurate and effective guidance as they pursue their university aspirations in Korea.

During her stay in Seoul, Dr. Erasmus visited several prestigious universities, including Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, KAIST, Hankuk University, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Kyung Hee University, and Hanyang University. These institutions are renowned for their academic excellence and represent the premier institutions of Korean higher education. Each university offered unique insights into their programs, admission processes, and campus culture, providing Dr. Erasmus with a comprehensive updated view of the Korean university landscape.

The primary purpose of the trip was to remain informed about the frequently changing Korean university admissions policies. Dr. Erasmus met with the admissions teams for both Korean and international students, focusing on understanding the latest changes and new policies firsthand.

"Personally, as a school with a significant Korean cohort, it was crucial to up-skill my knowledge and the school's understanding of the Korean system," Dr. Erasmus explained. "There's often uncertainty in the Korean community about current regulations, so it's vital that we provide accurate, up-to-date information."

An important takeaway from the visit was the clarification of different admission systems based on students' time spent outside Korea. Dr. Erasmus noted, "There are distinct requirements for students who have been out of the country for 3+ years versus those out for 12+ years. It's crucial for parents to understand which track their child falls under, as the requirements differ significantly."

Mr. Kim assists Concordia as a Korean University consultant, and he has visited our school on several occasions to work with families and answer specific questions from students and parents about the Korean university admissions process. These informative sessions are part of a Korean University Boot Camp opportunity offered to our Korean community and hosted on Concordia’s campus every other year. In August, 2025 Mr. Kim will return to Concordia Hanoi to conduct our next Korean University Boot Camp. These sessions are part of our ongoing efforts to provide valuable insights about higher education options in Korea. Not only does our counseling department remain dedicated to receiving the most up-to-date information about Korean university admissions, but we also believe in keeping our parent community well-informed about this crucial educational pathway.

Beyond the academic focus, Ms. Erasmus experienced the cultural richness of Seoul, visiting Korean restaurants, tea houses, and coffee shops in the historic Hanok villages. However, her highlight was establishing personal connections with Korean university admissions representatives. "Building these relationships gives me confidence in advising our students about the admissions process to these universities," Dr. Erasmus reflected. "I truly admire their intellectuality, sophistication, culture, and academic stance."

This visit not only enhances Dr. Erasmus's expertise, but also strengthens Concordia Hanoi's ability to guide students interested in pursuing higher education in South Korea. Given the significant interest among our students in attending these prestigious Korean universities, this firsthand experience reinforces our counseling department's capacity to provide informed guidance. By staying current with the evolving admissions landscape, we empower our community with the knowledge needed to pursue their educational aspirations in Korea's dynamic university system.

Learn more about Concordia's High School program