Examination Hell and the Swine Flu!!

Koreans are extremely paranoid of the Swine Flu. They take it VERY seriously. At my school, a vast majority of the students and teachers wear masks, and every student has their temperature taken at least once a day. I was given my own mask, which I don't really enjoy wearing. However, I am required to wear it in "high risk" classrooms, where there are many students suspected of having the virus. Many schools have closed down for a week (though mine unfortunately hasn't) and I am often warned by fellow teachers of venturing out into public places...


Another thing Koreans take seriously is the annual state-run College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Dubbed "Examination Hell," it is a college entrance exam, the Korean equivalent of the SAT. However, this test is FAR more heavily emphasized than its United States counterpart. In the US, colleges look at a wide array of qualifications, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and community service. While the SATs are important, a bad score will not ruin the college hopes of a student with otherwise great credentials. In Korea, however, a bad score WILL ruin you; it is the deciding factor in most college admissions processes, and it causes an extreme level of stress among Korean adolescents. The Journal of Youth and Adolescents even conducted research and published an article linking the high levels of depression found among Korean teens to anxiety and fear over the CSAT.


The CSAT is such a big deal that businesses do not open until 10 am. This is done to ease morning traffic, ensuring that all students get to their testing site on time. The stock market even opens an hour late! Also, According to the Korea Herald, "In Seoul this year, more than 90 domestic airline flights at nearby Gimpo Airport will be either delayed or cancelled so as not to conflict with the exam at surrounding schools." Even airports are shut down for a half hour during the listening portion of the test! Everyone in Korea sees it as their civic duty to remain quiet on national examination day. Extra police are dispatched to patrol neighborhoods near testing sites, ensuring that cars don't rev their engines or honk their horns. According to English Teacher and CSAT Coordinator Kim Eunhee, "If you don't cooperate you'll be seen as an enemy to all."


So, as of yesterday, many people wondered if the test would be postponed due to the recent swine flu outbreaks. The answer was no! However, extra precautions were taken. Students were required to stand in line and get their temperature taken. Anyone suspected of having the swine flu was quarantined, and took the test in a private room (pictured above). Even students that were home sick from school and actually had the swine flu were not given a free pass. They were forced to take the exam in the quarantined room as well. I feel bad for those kids, because there's nothing worse than taking a test when you have the flu, especially such a serious test with such a serious flu!