Seoul city government has launched Seoul Global Student Center in the Sinchon university area, offering a one-stop platform in the northwestern neighborhood for foreign students seeking employment, startup support and settlement assistance, the city announced.
The center, which begins full operations in May, is located near several major universities to maximize accessibility for foreign students. It complements the existing Seoul Global Center in Jongno, central Seoul, which serves the broader foreign resident population, by focusing specifically on the needs of international students.
The number of foreign students in Korea has nearly tripled over the past decade, rising from roughly 90,000 to approximately 250,000, according to 2025 data from the Korean Educational Development Institute.
Regardless of their multilingual skills, multicultural awareness and global networks, systematic support for these students remains inadequate, with critics pointing to a widening gap between policies aimed at attracting foreign students and those designed to help them find employment and settle in the country.
The center occupies a renovated facility formerly used as a youth startup support space and houses consultation rooms, shared offices, classrooms and community spaces. Services include job placement support, visa and residency counseling, and settlement assistance.
Employment programs include a trade marketing specialist course run in partnership with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency that targets 100 students annually, business Korean language classes, project-based work experience programs and monthly career days featuring mock interviews and resume consultations. A multilingual job aptitude test and information on companies that hire foreign nationals will also be available.
Settlement support includes the city's 30 Days Around Seoul cultural orientation program, Korean language classes, Test of Proficiency in Korean exam preparation and community networking activities. Students requiring meeting space may reserve rooms at the center by calling 02-362-6754.
The city said it plans to hold regular consultations with international affairs offices at Seoul universities and student association representatives to gather feedback and refine center operations.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
