Fee Disparities Found Among Nepali Students Going to South Korea for Study, Embassy Urges Caution

Seoul, South Korea — A recent study conducted by the Nepali Embassy in Seoul has revealed significant disparities in the fees paid by Nepali students traveling to South Korea for higher education. The study, carried out over a period of nearly two months, highlights inconsistencies in the costs borne by students, raising concerns about transparency in the process.
According to the embassy, the findings are based on a questionnaire survey conducted among students who visited the embassy for document verification. Students were asked about their total expenses incurred in the process of coming to South Korea and the educational consultancies they used.
The results show that a majority of students reported paying higher-than-expected fees. However, the study also noted inconsistencies in responses, as some students included cumulative costs from earlier attempts to study abroad in other countries, while others reported only the actual expenses related specifically to South Korea.
The embassy emphasized the need for more in-depth research and responsible oversight, particularly by institutions tasked with safeguarding the interests of students and their families. It warned that decisions based on incomplete or superficial information could have long-term consequences.
The study further revealed that some educational consultancies charged service fees ranging from NPR 300,000 to NPR 1,000,000. In this context, Bishnu Khadka, President of the Korea Education Consultancy Association Nepal (KECAN), stressed the importance of providing accurate guidance to students and parents.
Khadka stated that the association has received more than 20 complaints so far. Following investigations, some consultancies have been recommended for legal action, while others have been warned and instructed to refund the excess fees charged to students.
Despite these efforts, complaints of delays and difficulties caused by certain consultancies continue to surface. The study also found that some students were compelled to pay excessively high service charges, while others believed they were deliberately overcharged.
In light of these findings, stakeholders have called for the formulation and strict enforcement of policies, rules, and regulations to ensure fairness and accountability. The embassy also urged students and parents to remain vigilant and well-informed before making financial commitments related to studying abroad.