'30 Days in Seoul' turns confused newcomers into confident residents

For Nadine Hummel, a 23-year-old German from a small town near Frankfurt, Seoul is the first big city she's ever lived in.

Coming to study at Ewha Womans University for four years, she's having the time of her life.

“There's so much more going on in Korean university life.

The campuses are huge and there are university festivals, so many school clubs to join, activities planned by the students,” she told The Korea Times.

“If it's possible, maybe I would like to pursue a career here.” Helping her navigate that whirlwind journey and settle in Seoul in the long run is “30 Days in Seoul,” a city government program that helps global residents adjust quickly and put down roots for the long term.

Launched in 2025, it is open to international students at universities and graduate schools in the capital, as well as job seekers who graduated within the past two years.

This comes as more international students are choosing to study in Korea, with many hoping to stay long term.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of international students in Korea reached 308,838 as of Decem ...