Relocating to Busan

Hello,

I'm not a parent but I've taught in an elementary school here for a few years so I'll give you my perspective.  

I wouldn't worry too much about your children adapting academically.  Education for kindergarten and early elementary students is only as intense as parents choose to make it.  There will be kids spending hours in hogwans already, but it's not necessary, especially as your kids will not be struggling with English if you do a good job of speaking / reading English with them at home.  The pressure and testing starts in later grades of elementary school and then picks up dramatically in middle and high school.  Your children are at an age where learning a language they will be completely immersed in will happen quickly and naturally if you don't make it a big issue that they are "behind".  Make sure their teachers understand this as well.

I would be much more worried about how they will adapt socially, especially your older kid.  Korean schools are much different socially than most N. American ones.  Bullying is a real problem and kids who aren't normal Koreans will be an easy target.  The general behavior of students here is different as well and kids at that age constantly hit each other, yell, and poke each other in the privates (mostly just the boys do this).  

You should consider two things when making this decision.  How long will your kids be living here?  If it's only a year or two it might not be worth putting them through such a change.  How resilient are they?  If they are outgoing and assertive among other kids they will probably have an easier time than if they are shy and sensitive.

The best option would be the international school in Song Jong, on the road to Kijang.  This is school is well managed and the students and teachers are generally great, for foreigners this is the best and really only option.  Korean schools are generally not well managed, there are many bad students there and the quality of the teachers is not great by and large.   The teachers are extremely overworked and the quality of education is low so parents rely on hogwons.   I would advise the international school, your company should pay.   Some international children have done well in the Korean education system but most have had negative experiences.

I have 2 children, one is in Elementary and attends BFS at Haeundae (American system) and one is in High School at BIFS in Gijang (International system). I have a preference for the Elementary curriculum and style at BFS. Although most children at the school are ethinically Korean, English is the language all children must speak on campus and most have been educated abroad for atleast a part of their life. It doesn't feel like a 'Korean' school. My child, for the most part, has no problems and is very obviously European! My point is don't discount BFS as a 'foreign' school just because the children aren't obviously 'international'. As already said BFS does have a small village school type feel. The fees for both schools are prohibitively high, given the lack of choice as Foreign parents in Korea. Not all companies pay, our doesn't! In our experience BFS are more flexible when is comes to payment of fees and offer a quarterly scheme. Maybe their flexibility extends beyond that? I would have said it was worth an enquiry. BIFS have offered no flexiblity in our experience and require payment twice yearly along with the school bus and school meals if you chooses. Plus the compulsory expensive sports kit even for the younger children. Sometimes it is the extras that tip the scales. At the end of the day both schools are way too expensive but its either that or split the family up! Or in your case try out the Korean school, you never know? Best of luck to your and your's.