An Indonesian Finalist for Multiple Scholarships Pursues His Master's in Engineering at Pukyong National University Through the Global Korea Scholarship

Hello, my name is Amir, and I'm currently pursuing my studies in South Korea through the Global Korea Scholarship program. I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, surrounded by my wonderful big family. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of independence, as we didn't come from a wealthy background. This upbringing has made me a diligent and optimistic individual. I completed my bachelor's degree in chemistry and engineering, which turned out to be an unexpected career path for me. As a child, I had a passion for music, but without the means to nurture that talent, I shifted my focus to science and engineering, which I discovered I enjoyed. This journey has also opened doors for me to receive various scholarships throughout my education. Nowadays, I enjoy music as a hobby and still dream of pursuing it further in the future.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

My experiences with scholarships are almost unbelievable, as I managed to get into all of them through a year-long adventure. It started in September 2021 when I compiled a list of scholarships I could apply for, even though I didn’t have my English proficiency certificate yet. After receiving my TOEIC score, I began applying for several scholarships, including the Global Korea Scholarship, MEXT Japan Scholarship, Taiwan University scholarship, POSCO Asia Fellowship program, Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, and LPDP Indonesia scholarship. Luckily, I also got the chance to take the free TOEFL iBT test, thanks to a voucher from the US Embassy, which was running an event to support Indonesian students studying abroad. This whirlwind of opportunities led me to become a finalist for six different scholarships, and I ultimately chose the Global Korea Scholarship from the Korean government. In total, the six scholarships I am a finalist for were the Global Korea Scholarship, POSCO Asia Fellowship program (for Yonsei and POSTECH), LPDP Indonesia, MEXT Japan (for Waseda University), Taiwan University Scholarship (NTUST, NTUT, and NCHU), and Stipendium Hungaricum (for ELTE and the University of Debrecen).

Educational Background

Frankly, my educational background is quite straightforward. I completed my bachelor's in chemistry at one of the top universities in Jakarta with a GPA of 3.59 (cumlaude). After I got the Global Korea Scholarship, I went to the Korean language program at Jeju Halla University, located in Jeju-do, as one of the mandatory programs in the Global Korea Scholarship and pursued my master's in engineering at Pukyong National University in South Korea. My focus on science and engineering led me to engage in various research projects in the area of renewable energy materials. This has provided me with valuable opportunities to grow both academically and professionally.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Global Korea and other Scholarships?

My preparation process is quite detailed because I need to organize all my documents, tests, and essays. I usually break it down into three phases: I start with test preparation since it can be time-consuming, then I move on to my documents, and lastly, I focus on writing my essays. It's essential to understand that preparing for the test requires significant effort and practice. For example, if you're aiming for a high score for the TOEIC or TOEFL iBT, you should familiarise yourself with the types of questions and the answers that typically score well. This method will make your study sessions more productive and help you achieve a high score. The fact that I implemented this method and got a score of 945 in TOEIC and 104 in TOEFL iBT makes me believe this way is much more effective. And then, when you are writing your essay, make sure to address only what is asked, as including too much information can be burdensome for the reader. If you have several notable achievements, choose the top three to highlight in your essay.

My GKS journey turned out to be pretty easy. I opted for the university track after I had a conversation with a professor at Korean University. This allowed me to simply prepare my documents and send them off to the university. After the application deadline at the end of April, I was shocked to receive a notification that I was recommended for NIIED, especially since I hadn’t gone through an interview. I had a hunch it might be due to my earlier communication with the professor. A couple of months later, in mid-June, the final candidates for GKS were announced, and I arrived in Korea at the end of August. Additionally, NIIED provides financial support that covers tuition fees, living expenses, and a language course, which I find to be quite sufficient.

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

It would have been great if I had started my test preparation earlier, as that would have meant getting my TOEFL iBT results sooner. This could have opened up scholarship opportunities in the US, UK, Australia, or Canada for me. However, I feel blessed for all the results I’ve achieved, as they have been wonderful gifts in my journey.

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

I feel that enjoying your journey is essential. Being aware of your process can lead to much better preparation. If you plan to apply for a scholarship in the Asia Pacific, keep in mind that the educational cultures in Asia and the West are quite different, so it's important to understand these differences before applying. Lastly, I suggest you get involved in a variety of events or programs in your area of interest, as this experience will greatly aid you when applying for your scholarship.