Attribution of success and failure in academics among Korean students and Filipino professors in the selected private colleges in Metro Manila

This qualitative study examined differences between Korean college students (n=40) in the Philippines and Filipino professor (n=15) in attributing the success and failure in academics of the Korean college students studying in the Philippines. The samples were selected from private colleges in Metro Manila. Ten Focus Group Discussions were employed for 30 Korean students. And the rest of the Korean participants served as respondents in an in-depth interview. For Filipino professors, structured interviews were undertaken. The study reveals several notable outcomes. The majority of the Korean students study in the Philippines in order to study their majors using English medium of instruction until graduation. Effort was emphasized by the Korean students in their academic performance attribution. Filipino professors put more emphasis on confidence in English, while Korean students viewed mastery in English more importantly in attribution. The findings of this study indicate that Korean students need to overcome their uneven competencies in languages, to be initiative in their own learning by actively participating in class recitation, and to mingle with Filipino friends and culture.