How an Indonesian Korean Language Graduate Secured the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship to Study at Seoul National University

My name is Ananda Eka, and I’m from Batam, Indonesia, a small city located just south of Singapore. I majored in Korean Language and Literature. A little trivia: I actually chose Korean Language Studies because my parents encouraged me to. Initially, I had planned to major in English, but in today’s globalized world, my parents believed that mastering a language other than English could be a highly valuable skill in the job market. And it turns out, they were absolutely right!

Global Korea Scholarship Details

In the third year of my undergraduate studies in 2021, I decided to apply for a student exchange program at Seoul National University. I heard that my university, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had a partnership with SNU through a program supported by the Korean government, called the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). This is one of the most well-known scholarships for studying in Korea due to the extensive benefits it offers.

For example, I received a round-trip flight ticket from Indonesia to Korea, full tuition coverage, health insurance, and a monthly stipend of 500,000 KRW. I also received a 200,000 KRW settlement allowance upon arrival—presumably to help with initial living expenses in Korea.

Educational Background

I earned a degree in Korean Language Studies and graduated as the best graduate in my cohort, with a GPA of 3.88/4.00. As for how my academic background prepared me for this field: Studying the Korean language not only gave me a strong foundation in the language itself but also exposed me to Korean culture, literature, and society. This deepened my understanding and appreciation for Korea and strengthened my desire to pursue further academic and professional opportunities there. My consistent academic performance also reflected my dedication, which I believe helped reinforce my scholarship application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Seoul National University?

To prepare for applying to institutions, I began by thoroughly researching the programs and schools that matched my interests. I looked into university websites, I monitored my university's international affairs office website, and read about alumni experiences. I also reached out to former exchange students from my university to get insights and tips. Being proactive and organized helped me stay on track with the application process.

For this scholarship, having TOEFL and TOPIK scores was important; TOPIK was optional but highly recommended. I started preparing well in advance of the application deadline. I studied intensively to achieve a high TOEFL score and also focused on TOPIK. While the recommendation was to have at least TOPIK level 5, I had only reached level 4 at the time. Still, I decided to shoot my shot, and I got it! So don’t be afraid to try, even if you think your profile isn’t perfect yet.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?

I carefully prepared all the required documents: a personal statement, a study plan, recommendation letters from my professors and university, my TOPIK certificate, and more. For this particular program, there was no interview process—selection was purely based on documents. I made sure every document was as polished and compelling as possible. I put a lot of effort into making my personal statement and study plan both well-written and reflective of who I am, so that they would stand out to the selection committee.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Honesty and authenticity. I didn’t try to present an image of someone I’m not. I stayed true to myself and my story throughout the application.

To elaborate: I believe that authenticity resonates. When your documents reflect your real motivations, values, and efforts—not what you think the committee wants to hear, it creates a genuine connection. I shared my challenges and growth openly, and that honesty, I think, made my application memorable.

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

If I could go through the process again, I would start preparing even earlier, especially for the standardized tests and collecting recommendation letters. I would also reach out to past scholarship recipients sooner to get insights and avoid common pitfalls. Lastly, I would document my process better, so that I could more easily reflect and share it later with others.

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

Don’t be afraid to apply, just go for it! As long as you have the opportunity, take the shot. You never know what could happen unless you try.

And most importantly, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else in your application. Share your real story, your real motivations, and your real goals. That honesty will shine through and set you apart. Prepare well, be proactive, and trust your journey.