What is the ruling on a female student traveling abroad for study—to South Korea—without a mahram, given that her brothers cannot accompany her, and is it permissible for her mother to accompany her for a period and then return?

Authentic Hadiths prohibit a woman from traveling without a mahram, except out of necessity. Studying is not a necessity that permits travel without a mahram. The mother is not considered a mahram, so a woman's travel in her company is not permissible. If a mahram accompanies her on her journey, then there is no harm in her residing without a mahram in a safe place. Marriage can be a solution; she can search for a righteous man to marry him so that he may accompany her on her journey to complete her studies. This helps the woman maintain chastity, especially in lands where temptations are abundant. Scholars have imposed strict restrictions on a Muslim's travel for study in disbelieving lands.