Migrant workers at a factory, students on Sundays...cherishing college dreams 30대 이주노동자 이아무개씨는 지난 4월 경기도의 한 대학에 입학했다. 비정규직 노동자로 10년 넘게 일하면서도, 포기하지 않고 대학에 도전했다. 이씨는 4년제 대학에 합격한 뒤 2년 동안 다녔던 대학을 자퇴했다. A 30-year-old migrant worker, Lee, entered a university in Gyeonggi Province in April. Despite working as a precarious laborer for over 10 years, he did not give up and challenged the university. 이씨는 "공장에서 일하면서 학업을 준비하는 건 쉽지 않은 일이지만, 대학에 가고 싶다는 꿈을 포기하고 싶지 않아서 계속 도전했어요"라고 말했다. Lee said, "It wasn't easy to prepare for my studies while working at the factory, but I didn't want to give up on my dream of going to college, so I kept challenging myself." 이씨는 2017년부터 5년간 경기도 안산의 한 자동차 부품 공장에서 일했다. Lee worked at an automobile parts factory in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, for five years starting in 2017. 공장 노동자로 일하며, 이씨는 방송통신대에 입학해 2년간 경영학을 공부했다. While working as a factory worker, Lee entered the Korea Open University and studied business administration for two years. 이씨는 "공장 일을 하면서도 틈틈이 공부하고 싶었어요. 그래서 방통대에 지원하게 됐습니다"라고 말했다. Lee said, "I wanted to study while working at the factory, so I applied to the Korea Open University." 방송통신대는 2년 동안 경영학을 전공했고, 2021년 2월 졸업했다. He majored in business administration at the Korea Open University for two years and graduated in February 2021. 이후 4년제 대학의 편입학 시험을 준비했고, 지난 4월 경기도의 한 4년제 대학에 합격했다. After that, he prepared for the transfer entrance exam at a four-year university and was accepted to a four-year university in Gyeonggi Province in April. 이씨는 현재 4년제 대학 2학년에 재학중이다. Lee is currently a sophomore at the four-year university. 이씨는 "대학에 합격한 뒤 부모님께 연락드렸더니, 너무 좋아하셨어요. 저도 기�웠고요. 일요일에는 학교에 다니고, 다른 날에는 공장에서 일해요. 앞으로 남은 2년 동안 대학생활을 즐기고 싶어요"라고 말했다. Lee said, "When I got accepted into college, I called my parents and they were overjoyed. I was happy too. On Sundays, I attend school, and on other days, I work at the factory. I want to enjoy my college life for the next two years." 이씨는 "이주노동자의 삶이 모두 힘든 건 아니에요. 일하면서도 꿈을 키우고, 도전할 수 있어요. 저처럼 대학에 입학해서 공부할 수 있는 기회가 있었으면 좋겠어요"라고 말했다. Lee said, "The life of a migrant worker isn't all hard. While working, you can also nurture your dreams and challenge yourself. I wish there were opportunities for people like me to enter college and study."

Dmitri, a 33-year-old Sri Lankan immigrant worker, arrived in South Korea in 2016 due to a labor permit system. He had to stop his education in middle school back home because of his family's financial situation. He started working at a landfill in Pyeongchang County, but struggled to communicate and often wished to return home.

After seeking better job opportunities, his fellow countrymen advised him to learn Korean. He attended classes during the day and studied Korean at night. Even on his day off, Sunday, he continued to learn the language. With this commitment, he developed an interest in higher education. Inspired by his colleagues, he set his sights on attending university.

He visited the University of Dong-A and attended an entrance seminar, finding out about the "Seondeul Early School," a program that offers free education on the lower Korean high school exams for foreign workers without a high school diploma. Dmitri passed the lower and middle school exams consecutively last year and this year, and also achieved the top score of 6th grade in the Korean language proficiency test.

This is a remarkable transformation from someone who couldn't even understand "Hello" ten years ago. This is not just Dmitri's story. Vietnamese married women Bak Jeong-hyun (34) and Lety Kieu Qin (30) also studied at the school, completing their middle and high school education within six months and passing the lower-level Korean high school exam in November.

Cambodian immigrant worker Petday (37) is also preparing for university while balancing work and studies. Teacher Byung-hye Park, who has guided these students, was struck by their determined eyes despite working all weekdays and attending classes on Sundays. Park remarked, "Though exhausted, students still eagerly attend the classroom, and their determination and love for life have taught me a lot."

Since its launch last year, the program has welcomed 72 students from various countries. The University of Dong-A uniquely opens its lecture halls and teaching staff to employed foreign workers, a feature enabled by its long-standing experience in educating migrant workers under the Ministry of Justice's Social Integration Program since 2009.

President Eui-yeong Lee stated that what matters more than a diploma is the confidence gained by migrant workers in returning to Korea, saying, "I will turn this into a stepping stone leading to graduation and skill enhancement." Dmitri now plans to study welding or smart car technology at the University of Dong-A, aiming for a career as a technician in South Korea. He emphasizes that his journey began with "Hello."