Seoul's rise as a new Paris for students

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is being considered a potential "new Paris" for international students, as reported by the Financial Times. The city is described as an intellectual melting pot where students can live freely and at a relatively low cost, drawing comparisons to Paris due to its cultural and educational appeal.

Shift in student destination preferences

This trend is part of a broader shift, with cities such as Lisbon and Prague also gaining popularity among international students, at the relative expense of traditional major destinations. Lisbon's appeal is attributed to its climate and low cost of living, while Prague is favored for its universities, accessibility, and affordable housing.

Technological and policy changes

The Financial Times notes that social networks and the development of performant and interactive mapping, accommodation, and translation apps have made cities previously difficult to access more approachable. This is complemented by the facilitation of obtaining student visas and the expansion of exchange programs, such as the Erasmus + program, which has seen its annual participants increase significantly over the past decade.

South Korea's efforts to attract students

South Korea, in particular, has made significant strides in attracting international students. The South Korean government announced a five-year plan in 2023, aiming to attract 300,000 international students by 2027 through the Study Korea 300K project, primarily by easing visa conditions. This goal has reportedly been achieved before the scheduled date.

Seoul's appeal to international students

According to the Korea Times, Seoul's attractiveness is attributed to its culture, moderate student rents, safety, and the efficiency of daily life procedures. A Canadian student who has lived in Seoul for five years mentions the desire to "discover a completely different way of life," while a Vietnamese student is drawn to the "coexistence between tradition and cutting-edge technology in the same educational environment."

Challenges faced by international students

The Korea Times also reports on challenges, including the "language barrier" and the "lack of language learning devices." Some students note that "accompaniment" remains "limited in terms of integration and housing search," with a Cambodian student stating that "we have to find the information we need by ourselves." For some French students, the cultural shock is evident, with about 2,438 French students in South Korea by the end of April, an increase of about 40% compared to 2024.

Government focus on long-term retention

The South Korean government aims to retain these students long-term, particularly to "work" after graduation, in a context where it is trying to "combat the alarming demographic decline" of the country, with a fertility rate of 0.80 in 2025. Currently, the government is focusing on attracting foreign students in master's programs in AI, biotech, and robotics, "strategic sectors," rather than those "attracted by K-pop."

Quality control for international student programs

In a logic of integration quality, the government plans to prevent universities that do not "meet educational or financial criteria" from hosting international students starting in 2029, according to the economic newspaper Seoul Economic Daily. This move aims to ensure that international students receive a high-quality educational experience and are better integrated into the local community.