Today, I want to discuss a topic that emerged during a conversation with a friend in Korea: What is the greatest benefit of having our children study in the United States?

While there are obvious advantages, such as gaining proficiency in English and experiencing the richness of a diverse cultural environment, if I had to highlight just one key reason, it would be this:

What makes studying in the United States so beneficial for our children?

The word I want to emphasize today is "limit." On the left, we see a graph representing the unemployment rate in the United States, and on the right, the number of individuals currently employed.

unemployment rate

The data reveals that while the unemployment rate spiked during the pandemic, it has since returned to pre-COVID levels. Similarly, the job market experienced disruptions during the pandemic but has now stabilized. The graph also indicates that a person currently unemployed in the U.S. has access to approximately 1.8 job opportunities. In essence, the U.S. job market can absorb all unemployed individuals while still maintaining additional capacity.

US unemployment

By contrast, the Korean job market tells a different story. Employment rates among the economically active 30–40 age group have declined, while employment among those over 60 has risen. This indicates a challenging landscape for young job seekers in Korea. However, my intent in sharing these graphs isn’t merely to highlight the promising job prospects in the United States. Instead, these details serve as a foundation for the broader point I want to make.

If we examine the graph representing annual salaries in the United States, it shows that many individuals earn a median wage, with less disparity between the lower and higher ends of the spectrum. When comparing starting salaries after graduating from college, the data (left: Korea, right: United States) offers further insights.

In Korea, the average top salary is 51 million won, while in the United States, it is approximately $78,155. The median salary is 35 million won in Korea and $45,996 in the United States, and the lower salary average is 28 million won in Korea and $24,048 in the United States. It’s important to note that the Korean data reflects business majors from universities ranked in the top 10, whereas the U.S. data reflects business majors from universities ranked in the top 30. My intention here isn’t to simply state that salaries in the U.S. are higher than those in Korea.

The Key Reason for Studying in the United States

The single most important reason I advocate for our children studying in the United States is this: the environment for defining personal limits is fundamentally different. The most significant distinction between students educated in the U.S. and those educated in Korea is how they set the ceiling for their potential. Students who study in the United States often set exceptionally high upper limits for themselves.

This unique environment—one that encourages individuals to push beyond their perceived boundaries—is the key reason I believe studying in the United States is advantageous for our children. It offers an opportunity to surpass limits and expand potential. This is the message I share with the high school students at our academy as they prepare for college and beyond.

Do not define your limits based on your current perceptions or abilities. Do not constrain your potential to what is visible today. The ability to grow into someone who can exceed their boundaries in the United States—a land of abundant opportunities—is the greatest advantage. This is why studying and growing up in the U.S. has become such a transformative experience for students.

I encourage you to keep this perspective in mind. With that, I’ll conclude today’s message.

A-One Institute is dedicated to being an educational institution that leverages not just the academic strengths of its students but also the unique advantages offered by their environment.

Thank you.

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Why Studying in the U.S. Empowers Your Child's Potential

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