Asian international graduate students’ experiences with their advisors in Korean higher education

This qualitative study explores Asian international students’ academic experiences in Korean graduate education, focusing on their relationships with Korean advisors. The findings identify three themes in how these international students perceive their Korean advisors, namely as (a) academically and professionally supportive, (b) responsive but not proactive, or (c) non-responsive and laissez-faire. The findings also highlight the importance of cultural differences, level of degree, and departmental and disciplinary cultures in building the relationship between international students and their Korean advisors. The study sheds light on the significance of the advisor’s role in the success of international graduate students and on cultural nuances in Korean graduate education. Implications for graduate education practices in Korea and beyond are discussed.