While many NYU Abu Dhabi students are either busy deciding between summer internship options or cherry-picking study away courses, some students like South Korean Brian Kim, Class of 2020, are preoccupied with the idea of dropping their academic careers partway to serve in their country’s military.

For Kim, the notion of soon joining the military has brought about a perplexing juncture between national obligation and free will.

“In a country where there is still a war going on, even though there is no active fighting, saying no to mandatory military service is hard. Also, refusing to participate is not only an illegal act punishable by imprisonment, but also a social blunder which puts your reputation at stake due to the stigma associated with reneging military service,” said Kim.

In South Korea a lottery system decides who gets a position in the army. Applicants enter themselves in a mandatory nationwide lottery and a raffle determines whether they would serve in the army, navy or in the air force.

“I would prefer not to go, but then again, everyone does it, so who am I to complain? My only wish is that the living conditions and the wages are slightly better, because quite frankly, they are laughable compared to the amount of time and effort the young males give to the country,” said Kim.

The conditions and responsibilities of military service propel many to take extreme measures to avoid joining the military. Many students highlighted the growing phenomenon among young people to fake medical conditions that would exempt them from having to compulsorily join the army. Cuban Gabriel Levya, Class of 2020, remarked that he was fortunate in a way because his medical condition exempted him from having to join the army.

Adnan Dekeidek, Class of 2020, expressed his relief at coming to NYUAD because had he stayed back in Jordan, he would’ve had no choice but to serve in the military. Similarly, Daniel Rey, Class of 2020, said that every year he has to sign documents stating that he is pursuing his education abroad and deliver them to the military headquarters. In his opinion, avoiding military service has become a large incentive for many Colombians to stay abroad. “Forging documents is one thing, but a lot of Colombians are engaging in impersonation now,” said Rey.

Some students, such as those from Egypt, expressed disdain over how the military has a monopoly over many sectors in the market and has established a dictatorship.

Factoring military education into one’s undergraduate education equates to a major disruption into academic prospects. Ryan Choi, Class of 2020, expressed his apprehension about not being able to graduate with his fellow freshman friends and the impact that would have on his social life.

While many students expressed despondency and hatred toward the political and business agendas of their country’s army alongside personal concerns, there are several who convey nationalistic duty and patriotism in their view of military service.

“Military education in Taiwan is founded on the idea that we're a small country in war, and that we need to protect ourselves against the people that are corroding our sovereignty,” explained Wilson Hsu, Class of 2020. “The service duration is currently four months for all male citizens upon graduation. After the four months, citizens are enlisted as military reserves in case Taiwan would need an active force. For me personally, it is a great way of building patriotism, and I agree with its spirits and foundation. It will only be four months of my life, and I can defer till I finish my undergraduate program, so I completely agree and am willing to go,” explained Hsu.