How an Indonesian Scholar Secured the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship for a Master’s in Food Biotechnology at Kyungpook National University

안녕하세요! Hello everyone! My name is Angela Michelle Gunawan, an Indonesian awardee of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Graduate Degree 2024. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Food Biotechnology at Kyungpook National University, South Korea.

Have you ever dreamed of studying abroad but felt like it was out of reach? That was exactly how I felt a few years ago—until I discovered the Global Korea Scholarship.

My dream of studying in South Korea started in high school, where I was fascinated by the country’s advancements, especially in food science and technology. South Korea’s cutting-edge innovations in the food industry amazed me, sparking my desire to study there. During my first year of university, I began researching scholarships for a master’s degree in South Korea. That’s when I came across GKS, and from that moment, I was determined to apply as soon as I completed my bachelor’s degree.

GKS Scholarship Details

Receiving this scholarship and living my dream of studying in Korea has been an incredible experience. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is widely known as the best scholarship in South Korea, as it fully covers airfare, tuition fees, and living expenses. This allows students to pursue their studies in Korea without financial constraints. From the beginning, I set my sights on GKS as my ultimate goal, as I was determined to study in South Korea.

GKS offers two application tracks: the embassy track and the university track. Initially, I applied through the embassy track but wasn’t selected for the next step—an interview. Feeling dejected but not discouraged, I immediately prepared for the university track at Kyungpook National University (KNU), Korea’s No. 1 national public university, and was accepted.

Educational Background

My Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology from Pelita Harapan University has provided me with a solid foundation in my field. I received an academic scholarship from my university for maintaining a CGPA above 3.75/4.00, and I successfully graduated with the magna cum laude honor, achieving a final CGPA of 3.80.

Knowing that scholarship applications are highly competitive, I actively built my profile during my bachelor’s degree by taking on leadership roles in organizations and events. I also participated in competitions and internships to gain valuable experience and strengthen my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Kyungpook National University?

While working on my bachelor’s thesis in microencapsulation, I realized that there is still much to explore in encapsulating bioactive compounds that could benefit human health. This inspired me to continue researching this field during my master’s degree.

South Korea has many excellent universities, but I prioritized those with strong research programs in encapsulation, aligning with my academic interests. I began reaching out to professors whose research matched my passion, seeking guidance for my master’s studies. Fortunately, the professor from Kyungpook National University (KNU) responded warmly, saying, "I am impressed with your qualifications and would be interested in working with you." This encouraging response solidified my decision to choose KNU for my master’s degree.

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

One of the key advantages of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is that applicants with a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 5 or higher can receive additional points and be exempted from the one-year Korean language program. Moreover, those exempt from the language program are awarded an additional monthly allowance for a year.

I had been self-studying Korean for 10 years (since elementary school), and by high school, I was able to do basic conversations. After graduating from my bachelor's degree, I enrolled in a three-month private TOPIK II class to intensify my preparation. In October 2023, I sat for the TOPIK II exam and achieved level 6. To further strengthen my application, I also obtained an IELTS certificate with a band score of 7.5 to demonstrate my English proficiency.

Following the GKS application guidelines was crucial, as ensuring my documents passed the file screening stage was the first step toward advancing in the selection process. I dedicated significant effort to writing my personal statement and study plan, making sure each point was clear, compelling, and reflective of my journey. To prepare for the interview stage, I also conducted mock interviews to refine my responses and build confidence.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my strongest asset in the GKS application is my TOPIK level 6 certificate. This certification not only proves my strong proficiency in the Korean language but also reflects my dedication and commitment to studying in South Korea.

Another significant factor is that I am applying to a natural science major at a regional university, which is preferred by GKS. Additionally, I am applying through the R&D track, a track for specific universities and departments. Fortunately, my university and department, Food Science and Technology, is included in the R&D track, which has a higher quota and, therefore, a greater chance of acceptance.

My high academic performance, active involvement in organizations, being a finalist in a national competition, and my internship experience are additional strengths that helped my application stand out. Finally, I believe that my shared research interests with the professor I chose were also an important factor in strengthening my application.

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

In my personal experience, if I were to go through the process again, I would prepare for both the embassy and university tracks simultaneously. When I initially applied for the embassy track, I didn’t prepare for the university track at the same time. As a result, when I didn’t succeed in the embassy track, I only had 2-3 weeks to select a university, rewrite my essay, and prepare my documents for the university track. While it was possible to complete everything in such a short time, it felt rushed. By preparing for both tracks in advance, I would have had more flexibility and reduced pressure during the application process.

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

• Plan your strategy carefully. Choose the track and university that best align with your background and intended field of study.
• Write a strong essay. This is the primary way the reviewer gets to know you, so make sure to clearly express your motivation, qualifications, and goals.
• Prepare for the interview. Approach it with a positive attitude, speak confidently at a comfortable pace, and don’t forget to smile! :)
• Enjoy the process. Stay positive and believe in yourself! Keep a mindset that you will succeed—your dedication will pay off!