How a Nigerian Student Received the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Environmental Systems Science at Chungbuk National University in South Korea

My name is Adigun Aderonke Odunayo, and I’m from Nigeria. I’m in the last semester of my master’s in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Systems Sciences at Chungbuk National University in South Korea. My bachelor’s major was Microbiology, and in keeping with that, my current work is focused on studying environmental microorganisms that carry out important ecosystem functions. I chose my major because I am fascinated by interactions and how microbe-microbe interactions and microbe-environment reactions shape microbial metabolic traits. Summarily, I love prokaryotes! 😉

Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) by the Korean government for my master’s studies. The scholarship is fully funded and covers all expenses, including round-trip flights and tuition. The scholarship has allowed me to grow as a researcher and focus on my work without having to worry about funding.

I also really enjoyed the one-year Korean language study program. I had the opportunity to live and study with a lot of fellow GKS scholars from diverse fields who have become lifelong friends. Being able to focus on just learning Korean for one year also meant that my Korean language skills improved quickly. Those skills have come in very handy during my degree.

Educational Background

As I mentioned previously, I majored in Microbiology for my bachelor’s degree at the University of Abuja, Nigeria, where I graduated with a GPA of 3.67/4.0. I think my undergraduate thesis laid the foundation for my current work. I spent most of my undergraduate years obsessed with medical microbiology. Surprisingly, I chose a topic in Environmental microbiology for my thesis, and that started me down this path.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Chungbuk National University? What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

During my undergraduate studies, I divided my time between studying, volunteering, and enjoying my hobbies, which included watching Korean dramas. Naturally, I started studying the Korean language in my spare time. This interest in the Korean language led me to discover GKS. Luckily, I had over a year to prepare my application, so I carefully chose extracurriculars to support my application. Some things I did were:

1. I made sure I had clear proof of volunteer work, certifications from sites like Coursera to bridge any learning gaps, and award certificates.
2. I set a goal to get a perfect score on the TOPIK I exams to show my dedication to studying the Korean language.
3. I wrote all my essays several months in advance and kept editing them up until submission. I thought it was important to show the evaluators my passion for science, humanitarian work, and Korean culture.

Overall, I made sure to make an application package that showed the evaluators that I wasn’t just a 2-dimensional character. I didn’t want my application to be just about academics, and I think that was the strength of my application. I made sure to highlight my motivations for pursuing an advanced degree in my field and connect these motivations to my future aspirations.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would definitely be less anxious about the application. I spent so long on the application, but I struggled with a lot of self-doubt and was very conservative with my choices. If I could do it all again, I would be bolder in choosing exactly what I wanted and not what I thought would work out.

What Advice Would You Give to Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

• Prepare early, as early as possible
• Your application doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to tell your story effectively. (If you’re not a literature major, it's ok if your essays don’t read like New York Times bestselling think pieces.)
• Make sure you read the guidelines carefully and understand how to prepare your documents. Review your application package several times before sending it off.
• Tip: Learn a little Korean for your interviews. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a short introduction or “안녕하세요” will show that you’re at least willing to learn the language and adapt to life in Korea.