My thoughts on Education…

Stereotypes are interesting and most people laugh at it because it is true. Koreans or should I say many Asian countries focus on education as their primary way of life for their future. The level of education is believed to make you a better person and in a higher social status. Korea, although with its stereotyped view of foreigners that they are good at math or they are just smart, believe it or not in 1945, only 22% of the Korean population was literate. Now, South Korea and Finland score the highest in the PISA study that is conducted every three years are the best in math for 15 year olds. Are Koreans pushed for education? Is it too much pressure? I believe so…

Generally all Koreans I know or have met have their children or my friends in summer study sessions. It is basically learning math or some sort of subject during summer. Korean parents almost as mandatory send their kids to study during their summer vacation and winter vacation and even after school. My cousins in Korea always grew up going to extra classes after school ever since elementary school. They have to go to piano lessons, English lessons, some math, some Korean history class, etc they come back home after 10PM or more! I am sure all Koreans do not like to study that much, but here in a foreign country have we lost what is valued most?

Korean kids are still pressured some way or the other to study and study and be the best in class, to get into the best university, to look the best for OTHER parents. Asian cultures are collectivist, meaning they rely on groups. They care what others say about them or their children because they belong in this group and this is more important than being an “individual.” In a way, showing off is best seen in these groups, rumors scatter quickly; people are looked down upon on when something is wrong.

Education is a big part of at least the Korean culture. It is the part of life that will get kids to be better in the world, to be successful, giving their children an education they did not have when they were young. But because of standards of education are rising, is the ministry of education of Korea rising above as well to meet the standards of the parents who make the best education for their children? Like Carlos Mencia from “Mind of Mencia” in Comedy Central and stand up shows nationwide says that in the US, they are lowering the standards of education. It is definitely something to think about. Do you think you would have been different in these different cultures and ways of education? I think I would.

Asian Business Entrepreneurs to a new Generation of Asian Children

Statistics say that Asians are most likely to own their own businesses in a foreign country. These include Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, and the like; owning various restaurants, produce markets, toy stores, clothing, companies, etc. In the US, this is shown in different major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York where every state has its little Korea, little China, and little Japan. You may have also noticed other Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Philippines. Why their own business? Is it because there is a higher opportunity or is it because minority groups cannot advance in the opportunity as professionals in the business world?

During the 70’s when Korean citizens were working with a minimum salary was not enough to bring food in the table, many people moved out of the country to others such as the US. My case, it wasn’t United States, but in the developing Latin American country in Central America called Guatemala. Yes, labor is cheap, but the country is developing rapidly. I will add that in my point of view, Koreans are the largest population living in Guatemala as the Asian minority group. You see them everywhere, everyone knows everyone, and privacy is not a word used most often. Not only is Guatemala a small city, well, not small, but there are a few places where people usually go. This includes Koreans or Guatemalans alike. For example, two major upscale shopping malls, various mid-scale shopping malls, a territory to party much like a downtown on a Friday night, and even restaurants.

My parents moved to Guatemala for an opportunity of owning their own business. It was hard, the first seven years we lived in poverty and hardship. But as time went by networking and meeting new friends and business partners, the investment made by my father who graduated engineer and now is solely a businessman, paid in the long run. The poverty my family lived during the first couple of years has actually made the person who I am today and what I may speak. I attended Spanish-speaking schools; therefore, my second language is Spanish, which I am very proud of. Humbleness has conquered in my family, such as not being spoiled and working hard to get something I wanted.

These world citizens, who migrated to an unknown territory, landed with their own traditions and holidays, what happened with their children if any? Did their culture clash together and make a new “type” of Asian? I have certainly have had clashes between three very different cultures: Korean, Guatemalan, and American. The culture, the language, the food, the traditions, the religion, etc these are all parts of what makes a culture. I have changed from Buddhism to Christian and to Catholic, I have gone from Korean, Spanish, to English or even from conservative to liberal. These new generations of Asian-Latinos, Asian Americans, or even Asians started from business entrepreneurs, moving to foreign nations, opening up with other cultures, learning new languages, learning new customs and traditions, and some stay within their culture, some switch, and some get a mix of both. What about you?