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Study abroad is a dream of many students in Vietnam, but those at a Ho Chi Minh City university have had to refuse South Korean scholarships because of financial difficulties.

Majors in Korean studies at Van Hien University have rejected nine scholarships granted by its partner Cheju Tourism College to study Korean language, culture, and sociology for six months in South Korea, according to Dr. Dang Ngoc Le, dean of the university’s Oriental Studies faculty.

Van Hien students were eager to join the scholarship program when they received invitation letters from the college in March, Dr. Le said. But none followed up with it, as the scholarships only cover tuition, he said.

 “They could not afford the US$1,000 airfare and living cost of $1,100, not to mention a VND100 million ($4,785) bank deposit to secure a South Korean visa,” Dr. Le elaborated.

The educator added that his students also gave up because they would not be allowed to work to make money to support themselves there, as South Korean laws ban students from working if they are enrolled in a course lasting six months or shorter.

“I have asked the college to extend their scholarships to one year each and they have promised a consideration,” Dr. Le revealed.

Earlier, four Van Hien students began a one-year Korean language program in South Korea on March 21 under a similar scholarship awarded by Honam University and Gwangju University.