Seoul study abroad fair heads to Taipei to recruit international students

Seoul's city government will bring its annual study abroad fair to Taipei on May 30-31, fielding representatives from 14 Seoul-based universities as the South Korean capital moves to convert its No. 1 ranking in QS Best Student Cities 2026 into stronger international enrollment.

The fair reflects Seoul's growing effort to brand itself as an international academic destination — offering a single-stop event that spans admissions, visas, housing and post-graduation career planning. For Korean-American families in Orange County whose children are weighing study options in South Korea, the outreach signals that Seoul-area institutions are actively courting international applicants with hands-on support.

The Seoul Study Abroad Fair was launched in 2024 and has previously visited Jakarta, Chennai, Ulaanbaatar and Ho Chi Minh City. Taipei is the first of two stops planned for 2026, with Fukuoka to follow, according to The Korea Times.

Participants at the Taipei event can book one-on-one consultations with international admissions officers from each university and attend sessions on scholarships, dormitory options and internship opportunities. Staff from Seoul Global Center will also be on hand to walk prospective students through visa applications, residency registration and daily life in the city.

"The event will provide integrated support across the entire journey — from admission and settlement to career planning and long-term residency — offering prospective international students a more structured and personalized roadmap for studying in Seoul," said Lee Young-mi, head of the Immigration and Foreign Residents Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Taiwanese alumni who have built careers or launched startups in Seoul will offer firsthand testimonials, giving attendees a practical view of life after graduation in the South Korean capital.

"We will continue to offer multifaceted support to help students settle in and achieve their goals even after completing their studies in Seoul," Lee said.

Fourteen universities and two related institutions are confirmed to participate in the Taipei fair. A date for the 2026 Fukuoka stop has not been announced.