{
  "id": 9097917,
  "title": "Foreign students choose Seoul over New York, London, Paris for vibrant culture, cheaper rent - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/foreign-students-choose-seoul-over-new-york-london-paris-for-vibrant",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T06:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/globalcommunity/20260922/foreign-students-choose-seoul-over-new-york-london-paris-for-vibrant-culture-cheaper-rent-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul has become a popular destination for international students due to its vibrant urban culture and significantly lower housing costs compared to established hubs such as New York, London, and Paris, according to a report by British daily The Financial Times (FT). The number of international students enrolled at universities in Korea has surged by 69 percent over the past three years, reaching a total of 307,500. The FT highlighted that Seoul offers students excellent value, providing access to globally renowned K-pop culture and a lively city life at affordable costs. The capital's increasing appeal to European and American students can be attributed in part to the global reach of K-pop. The report also noted that Seoul's energy, culture, food, and cityscape promise a cosmopolitan lifestyle at a cheaper price tag than many students' home cities. One of the major draws for international students is Seoul's comparatively affordable housing costs. Monthly rent for a one-room apartment or studio averages around 900,000 won ($660), while a Korean-style boarding house, known as hasuk, costs approximately 600,000 won ($440). The primary reasons students choose Seoul for their studies include its relatively low housing costs, access to popular culture, and a dynamic urban lifestyle.",
  "summary": "Seoul has surged in popularity among international students worldwide, owing to its vibrant urban culture and lower housing costs than established hubs, British daily The Financial Times (FT) reported. The number of international students enrolled at universities in Korea rose 69 percent over the past three years to 307,500, data showed. The FT noted Seoul offers students good value, providing…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul attracts foreign students due to vibrant urban culture.",
    "Housing costs in Seoul are significantly lower than New York, London, Paris.",
    "International student enrollment in Korea increased by 69% in three years."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Foreign students choose Seoul over New York, London, Paris for vibrant culture, cheaper rent - report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/foreign-students-choose-seoul-over-new-york-london-paris-for-vibrant-9099978",
        "published": "2026-09-22T06:47:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi foreign minister discusses innovation cooperation with Bill Gates in New York",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/saudi-foreign-minister-discusses-innovation-cooperation-with-bill",
        "published": "2026-09-22T08:00:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}