North Korea

North Korea, officially known as Chosŏn Minjujuŭi In’min Konghwaguk or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a sovereign country located in East Asia. The independent state covers about 55% of the Korean Peninsula with the total land area amounting to 47,399 square miles. The country shares borders with China, Russia and the Republic of Korea (alternatively known as South Korea). The capital of the country and its main industrial and transport center is P’yŏngyang and can be found near the west coast.

The country can appear as an unsuitable location to study abroad. However, students seeking to attain higher education and obtain an academic degree may be able to find a few opportunities. To begin with, the sovereign state has a rather extensive list of accredited universities including the Kim Il Sung University, the Kim Chaek University of Technology and the Institute of Natural Science. Some of these universities accept international students such as the Kim Il Sung University, and others have cooperations and partnerships with international institutions of higher education. Furthermore, there are also exchange programs which can assist in attain a higher education in this country. Furthermore, the country offers a wide range of subjects to study including Natural Sciences, Technology, Education, Engineering, Architecture, Medicine and Arts. North Korea is also a suitable location for students seeking to employ their skills and degree by participating in research projects as the country has modern research facilities and encourages the expansion of knowledge, including entering international symposiums and sharing research results. However, one should bear in mind that to enter the country, students need to have a legitimate visa, which can take quite some time to acquire. Due to such a potential setback, students are recommended to prepare properly in advance, including researching what documents are necessary.