▲ JDC junior journalists are walking through the decoration of Art festival in NLCS Jeju. Photo by Kim Jinmi

[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

These days, Jeju is developing into a complex city with international distribution,·financial, and·educational functions. Among the efforts of the local government, Jeju had constructed of the Global Education City. This project has the intention of replacing the need for students to study English, or other subjects, abroad. By doing this, they controlled the outflow of foreign and domestic currency, and reinforced an international competitiveness in the field of Korean education.

One of the international schools located in Jeju’s Global Education City that maintains the reputation it earned in its homeland is called North London Collegiate School (NLCS) Jeju. NLCS Jeju was the first international school to be opened as part of the Global Education City on Jeju Island on September 26th, 2011. The NLCS Jeju enrolls boys and girls. The school offers a curriculum based on the NLCS (UK) curriculum, which in turn is based on the British Curriculum.

"Try yourself out," said NLCS principal Peter Daly, reciting his school’s motto confidently. NLCS Jeju has strong links with NLCS in London, England. It has about 160 years of history. NLCS (UK) was founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss. Following the education philosophy, “Students discover their own quality by themselves, and achieve it with a feeling of pleasure”', the school has been putting on a marvelous show.

"40% of our graduates enter Oxford, Cambridge, or IVY League colleges, which are considered as some of the world’s most prestigious universities," the principal added.

While the international school has its advantages and unique characteristics, they have some unsolved problems. Students couldn't keep up with the lessons that are taught in British English, so they have to take private lessons. In addition to that, some of them learn what they will study next, in Korean.

The other limit is the international schools can't be true to schools' name. The rate of foreign students is significantly lower than Koreans.

“90% of our school's enrolled student are Korean." the principal explained. The same goes for other international schools. If NLCS Jeju strengthens these matters and nature its positive features, the school could position itself to cultivate the global talent of the 21th century.