• South Korea’s top universities, such as Seoul National University and KAIST, offer world-class education in fields like engineering, business, and technology, benefiting Indonesian students aiming for global careers.


• Known for its technological advancements, South Korea offers Indonesian students access to cutting-edge research and innovation, particularly in fields like robotics and IT.


• The Korean government offers a variety of scholarships, including the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), which helps Indonesian students cover tuition and living expenses while studying in South Korea.


• South Korea has a strong emphasis on English-language education, making it easier for Indonesian students to study in a language they are familiar with while gaining proficiency in Korean.


• The country's high quality of life, affordable public transportation, and safe environment make it a comfortable place for Indonesian students to live and focus on their studies.


• South Korea's vibrant culture and rich history provide Indonesian students with opportunities to engage in cultural exchange, enhancing their academic and personal growth.


• The growing number of international students in South Korea allows Indonesian students to build a diverse global network of peers from different backgrounds and cultures.


• South Korea is home to leading multinational companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, offering Indonesian students opportunities for internships and future career prospects in global industries.


• The Korean education system is highly rigorous, encouraging Indonesian students to develop discipline, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that are valuable in their future careers.


• The language exchange programs available in South Korea help Indonesian students improve their Korean language skills, opening doors to both academic and career opportunities in the country.


• South Korea’s dynamic student life, including numerous extracurricular activities and cultural events, offers Indonesian students a well-rounded experience beyond the classroom.


• South Korean universities have strong partnerships with universities worldwide, providing Indonesian students with opportunities for student exchange programs and internships abroad.


• South Korea’s food culture, featuring diverse and healthy options like Korean BBQ and kimchi, offers Indonesian students a unique culinary experience that blends well with their own food preferences.


• South Korea's strategic location in East Asia allows Indonesian students to easily travel to nearby countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan, enhancing their travel and cultural exploration opportunities.


• The country’s excellent healthcare system ensures that Indonesian students have access to high-quality medical services during their studies, promoting well-being and peace of mind.

South Korea is one of the world leading financial centers. South Korea's economy is the 13th largest globally and the 4th largest in Asia with a nominal GDP of $1.87 trillion USD as of 2025, maintaining its position as a highly developed mixed economy with a strong focus on high-tech manufacturing, consumer electronics, automotive, and shipbuilding sectors. 

Being one of the fourth-largest economy country in Asia. With over 208,962 international students enrolled in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2022), South Korea surpassed its goal of 200,000 students ahead of schedule and is now targeting 300,000 international students by 2028 as part of the government's Study Korea 300K Project. Indonesian students represent less than 3% of international enrollments but are identified as emerging market priority alongside other ASEAN nations.

School spirit in Korea is super important. South Korean universities are renowned for vibrant campus culture, with a quintessential emphasis on student club participation, a core element of Korean university life where students join over 65+ clubs ranging from performing arts (K-pop, traditional music, musicals), sports, academic societies, and cultural organizations.

Many universities operate certification programs recognizing clubs that actively include international students in their activities, offering cultural exchange opportunities, buddy programs, and orientation activities. International student organizations like Hanyang Global Lions (HGL), Global Peers at Kookmin University, and KAIST's inclusive club programs specifically facilitate intercultural friendships and help international students settle into Korean campus life.

South Korea Universities have amazing libraries. South Korea operates 127 accredited university libraries including those at Seoul National University, KAIST, and Korea University, with Seoul National University reported as the highest per-capita spender on student resources among Korean institutions with over 10,000 students.

International students receive full library access equivalent to domestic students, and universities provide extensive digital resources and study spaces supporting the country's strong research and development sector (averaging 4.93% of GDP spent on R&D).

Student have to own Certificate of Visa Insurance that valid for three months before getting upon the issuance of a full study visa. For D-2 visa (degree program) holders, mandatory health insurance enrollment occurs automatically upon alien registration, typically the month after arrival, through South Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).

International students must maintain valid insurance throughout their stay or face visa extension restrictions; unpaid contributions may prevent visa renewal. Prior to visa issuance, applicants must demonstrate financial proof of USD 10,000-20,000 covering tuition and living expenses, with accepted documentation including bank statements, official scholarship letters, or sponsor letters (notarized if from family members). Additionally, D-2 visa holders are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week after their first six months, helping offset living costs.

South Korean education has a single-track system which operates on 6-3-3-4 basis, with six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, and four years at the undergraduate university level. The academic year begins in March and ends in February, divided into two semesters with the first semester running March to August and the second semester September to February, differing from the Northern Hemisphere calendar.

Compulsory education covers the nine years from elementary through middle school (ages 6-15), and starting from 2019, South Korea provides free high school education to reduce financial burden on families, making secondary education more accessible to all students including international enrollees. The first academic semester begins in March, and the second academic semester at the end of August.

For international students seeking admission to South Korean elementary or middle schools, most institutional slots are limited and require completion of eligibility documentation proving either that both parents are non-Korean citizens or that the applicant has spent 1,095+ days (3+ years) overseas with school records.

Middle school completion (Grade 9 equivalent) or overseas secondary education equivalent is required for high school entry, and international admission to high schools is typically restricted to students with foreign parents or those who have completed all 12 years of education outside Korea, with school transfers managed through international schools like Seoul Foreign School, Korea International School, or Busan Foreign School.

For university admission, the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT or Suneung), conducted annually in November, has historically been the primary pathway for domestic students, but international students applying from overseas or those who completed secondary education abroad are generally exempt and instead submit university-specific entrance examinations, language proficiency scores (TOPIK Level 3+ for Korean-taught programs or TOEFL 80+/IELTS 6.0+ for English-taught programs), school transcripts, personal statements, and proof of completed 12-year education outside Korea.

Indonesian international students must also meet strict eligibility criteria: both applicant and parents must be non-Korean citizens, applicants must have completed the full Korean equivalence of Grades 1-12 outside Korea (or in select cases inside Korea with minimal overseas study periods), and applications typically close in August for Spring intake or in December for Fall intake.

Language proficiency varies, universities like Seoul National University require TOPIK Level 3 or TOEFL 80+, while English-taught programs at universities like Korea University or Chung-Ang University accept TOEFL/IELTS scores, though starting Spring 2027, all international applicants must submit official standardized language proficiency test scores rather than institutional test alternatives.