Kanth Bashistha, an elite migrant from Nepal who works as a researcher in a global biomedical tech startup called ISO Valley, successfully found a home in Daejeon. Kanth received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from Sun Moon University and worked in various universities as an assistant professor and a postdoctoral researcher. From the point of migration into Korean academia to the successful settlement in Korean industry, he shared his 17-year-long experience in Korea with The Monday times. – Ed

Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself? Tell us what brought you here and when and how you came to Korea.

A: I’m from Nepal. I came to Korea in 2005, and it has been 17 years. I grew up as a well-educated professional in Nepal. A fellow professor of my advisor offered me a PhD position at Sun Moon University, and I accepted it. The Korean professor was my only connection, and I finished my PhD in biochemistry with a heavy focus on Pharmaceutical engineering in 2010. I was part of a growing population of Asian immigrants in Korea in 2005, but still a very rare academic migration case from Nepal. 

Q: Tell us about your profession and projects you’re currently working on. What is the career path you took to get your job? 

A: I am working as a researcher at a biomedical engineering company called ISO Valley, which is a tech startup opened by one of my previous colleagues. My job is to check the quality of medical devices that we generally use inside or outside the body and to check the quality of machines and give results accordingly. I finished my PhD at Sun Moon University, which has a beautiful campus where about 20 dramas and movies have been filmed. Then I have worked in so many universities in Korea, such as Korea University as a research professor or a postdoctoral researcher. I also worked in the microbiology department at the Rural Development Administration, but I decided to join the industry for financial stability. That’s how I joined ISO Valley, and I feel most comfortable in this company now.

Q: What challenges you the most, and what do you miss the most about Nepal?

A: Food was the first challenge due to my personal dietary habits, but I learned how to cook while enjoying Korean food. I slowly habituated myself to the new environment, but I still miss Nepal food. Although Korea was not a popular destination choice for academics, I had no problem integrating into school life, thanks to the high English proficiency earned from an Indian continent country, where everyone is taught the language. However, I faced a frustrating paradox outside school, the Korean language barrier. Back in 2005, I barely spoke Korean and felt marginalized when avoided by non-English speaking Koreans, who usually were too unconfident in their English skill to try to communicate with me. But I learned to speak Korean, and I mostly communicate in Korean with my colleagues now.

Q: Your Korean sounds very fluent. Korea is increasingly becoming a multicultural society. What do you think of social inclusion and open-mindedness in Korea?

A: Back in 2005, there were very few scholarships available for foreigners, and I was lucky to be selected for that scholarship. The number of scholarships has increased, and I can see so many international students in Korea. Korea has had one of the lowest population growth rates, and it should consider filling holes in the job market with more immigrants. Slowly, I can see that Korean culture is becoming multicultural, and this is good for Korea. A multicultural society tends to generate competition, and competition is a good sign of social growth.

Q: Could you share your opinion about multicultural sensitivity in Korea? Metaphors regarding immigration policies, “Melting pot” and “Salad bowl,” which do you think describes Korea better?

A: I was frustrated by Korea’s time-consuming immigration system, whose bureaucracy only requested degree certificates or proof of work. My degree couldn’t save me from visa insecurity, and immigration officials often imposed a mental burden that I could be sent home at a moment’s notice without those documents. Immigration is completely intolerant whether I’m educated in Korea or not. The nation hasn’t yet been to that stage to discuss “melting pot” and “salad bowl” choices for its multicultural sensitivity. The Korean government has made a policy for postdoctoral researchers, providing them a 5-year visa, though. It certainly became better for highly educated migrants looking for professional jobs in Korea.

Q: Do you have any advice for young people in Korea?

A: I’d like to advise them to improve their English skills. Try to communicate with foreigners around them to globalize their language experience. English is an international language, so it will bring them more options and opportunities just on the basis that they know English. They can get privileged by learning English and studying abroad. Thanks to Nepal-India relation, my son now has the privilege to study at a medical school in India. Be prepared for a different path, just as I did, having multiple places I can call home. Plus, I became a decent cook from my global experience, which I would never think to try in Nepal. With English, wherever they go, they can communicate as I did; it’s a must, a must