How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Sookmyung Women's University, South Korea Through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

My name is Angelin Selsiya J, and I am from Tamil Nadu, India. I come from a normal middle-class family, and studying abroad was not something I initially thought would be financially possible for me.

I have always been interested in design, creativity, and drawing. Because of this, after completing high school, I decided to study Costume Design and Fashion in India.

During my final year of college, the COVID-19 pandemic started. Like many students, my studies and career plans were affected. My classes, assignments, and coursework were moved online, and there were very few opportunities for internships or jobs because many companies were closed or operating with restrictions. During the second wave of COVID-19 in India, the situation became even more difficult.

While staying at home, I started searching for internship opportunities in India and abroad. At that time, I had not really thought about studying further. However, while searching online, I discovered that there were many scholarship opportunities for students who wanted to pursue higher education abroad.

While researching, I came across the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a fully funded scholarship provided by the Korean government. I was surprised to learn that it covered major expenses such as tuition, airfare, and living expenses.

I thought to myself, “Why not try for a master’s degree?” So, I decided to apply. What started as a random search for opportunities eventually became a major turning point in my life.

That is how my journey toward higher education in South Korea began.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

The scholarship I received is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), which was previously known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP). It is a fully funded scholarship provided by the Korean government for international students.

I actually applied for GKS twice. My first application was in February 2021, but unfortunately, I was not selected. At that time, I had difficulty preparing some of the required documents, and I also felt that my Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Personal Statement (PS) were not strong enough.

I did not give up and applied again in February 2022. This time, I was successfully selected for the scholarship and received admission to Sookmyung Women's University to pursue a master's degree in Clothing and Textiles.

At the time I received the scholarship, GKS provided comprehensive financial support, including:

Round-trip airfare between India and South Korea

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Korean language training for one year
• Monthly living allowance
• Settlement allowance when arriving in Korea
• Medical insurance support
• TOPIK examination fee support
• Support related to completing the degree and thesis

When I first arrived in Korea, I received a KRW 200,000 settlement allowance. During my one-year Korean language program, I received approximately KRW 1,000,000 per month as a living allowance.

I completed my Korean language training at Kangwon National University. During this period, I was required to achieve TOPIK Level 3 before entering my graduate degree program. GKS also supported the fees for two TOPIK examinations during the language-training period.

After completing my Korean language program and achieving TOPIK Level 3, I moved to Sookmyung Women's University and started my master's degree in September 2023.

During my degree program, the scholarship benefits and allowance structure were updated. My monthly support increased to approximately KRW 1,300,000, including support related to medical insurance and thesis completion.

For anyone interested in applying, I would strongly recommend checking the official Study in Korea/GKS guidelines for the specific year you plan to apply, because scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures can change.

Educational Background

I completed my bachelor's degree in Costume Design and Fashion in India, with a GPA of 8.9/10. Throughout my studies, I maintained good academic performance and received good grades in my semesters.

During my undergraduate studies, I also completed several additional certifications related to my field, which helped me develop my knowledge and skills in fashion and textiles.

Since my final year of undergraduate studies was conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had fewer opportunities for practical experience, internships, and industry exposure during that period. However, I continued to complete my coursework and assignments and maintained my academic performance.

My background in fashion and design gave me a basic understanding of clothing, textiles, and design, which later helped me transition into my master's studies in Clothing and Textiles at Sookmyung Women's University.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Sookmyung Women's University?

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I mainly found information about the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and participating universities through the official Study in Korea website. I also researched individual universities, departments, and professors through their official university websites to understand their programs and research areas.

Since I was applying for a master's program in a Natural Science-related field, contacting a potential supervisor was an important part of my preparation. Before applying to Sookmyung Women's University, I contacted several professors at different universities.

I contacted one professor at Sookmyung Women's University after reading about her work. In my email, I briefly introduced myself, explained my academic background, and expressed my interest in studying because I found her research interesting.

Fortunately, she responded positively and provided me with a recommendation, which became a very valuable part of my application. Having a professor who was willing to support my application gave me more confidence and strengthened my application. Also, my SOP and PS were stronger this time, i refer many YouTube videos and the internet to learn how to write a better PS and SOP.

I did not take any standardized tests. However, I had completed some beginner-level Korean language courses and online Korean language certifications, which helped demonstrate my interest in studying and living in Korea.

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

I prepared my scholarship application very carefully. I read the GKS application guidelines three to four times to make sure I understood all the requirements correctly. I then made a list of all the required documents and started preparing them one by one.

For documents that required official verification, I completed the necessary notarization and apostille procedures. I also made sure that all the documents were prepared correctly and submitted within the given deadline.

I also learned that some universities require applicants to complete an additional online application or form. Therefore, I regularly checked the university websites and announcement boards for updates, deadlines, and additional requirements.

My experience from my first unsuccessful application also helped me prepare better the second time. I paid much more attention to the application guidelines, prepared my documents carefully, and made sure that my Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose were stronger than in my first application.

Overall, I believe that being organized, carefully following the guidelines, and regularly checking official announcements helped me avoid mistakes and submit a complete application on time.

How is Your Experience at Sookmyung Women's University?

Overall, my experience was very good. I completed my one-year Korean language program at Kangwon National University, where I met many international students from different countries and made good friends.

After that, I started my master's degree at Sookmyung Women's University. My master's was more challenging because of the laboratory work and because most of the communication was in Korean. However, it was manageable, and working with Korean labmates helped me improve my Korean skills.

I was also very fortunate to have a kind and supportive professor who guided me throughout my master's and helped me successfully complete my degree

How Do You Rate Sookmyung Women's University Academically?

I would rate Sookmyung Women's University 9/10 academically. It provided me with a strong academic environment and good knowledge in my field. I also had opportunities to participate in various student programs and conferences that helped me grow beyond academics.

It is also one of the well-known women's universities in Korea and is conveniently located in central Seoul. Overall, I had a very good academic experience there.

How Does Sookmyung Women's University Support International Students?

Sookmyung Women's University has a supportive environment for international students. The university provides various programs and activities that help international students adjust to campus life and meet other students. I also had opportunities to participate in student programs and interact with both Korean and international students, which helped me feel more comfortable and connected to university life.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Most of my classes and academic activities were conducted in Korean. However, I wrote my master's thesis in English. Although studying in Korean was challenging at first, it helped me improve my Korean language skills and become more comfortable communicating in an academic environment.

What Did You Pursue After the Global Korea Scholarship?

After completing my master's degree, I wanted to work in the textile business industry and also gain work experience in Korea. However, the textile industry in Korea is relatively small compared to India, so there were fewer opportunities in my field.

I then found an opportunity to work in the overseas business team of a small Korean skincare company. I decided to take the opportunity to gain experience in international business and Korean work culture. I believe these skills can also be useful if I return to the textile business industry in the future.

I am happy to explore different opportunities and believe every experience can teach me something valuable.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Korean?

It can be challenging, especially when classes and communication are mainly in Korean. However, I don't think it should stop anyone from applying. GKS provides a one-year Korean language program, which gives students time to learn the language before starting their degree.

I would recommend learning some basic Korean before coming to Korea and continuing to practice after arriving. Even if you are not fluent, being able to communicate in Korean can make your academic and daily life much easier.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Statement (PS), and prior communication with my professor helped strengthen my application

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

I don't think I would change anything major. My first unsuccessful application taught me what I needed to improve, and I used that experience to prepare a stronger application the second time.

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

My advice is to start preparing early and read the scholarship guidelines carefully. Learning some basic Korean before coming to Korea can make your daily and academic life much easier. Also, check the language of instruction before choosing a university or program. Some universities offer programs or courses in English if you prefer not to study entirely in Korean.

Most importantly, don't be afraid of failure. I was rejected the first time I applied, but I applied again and succeeded the second time. So keep trying, believe in yourself, and hwaiting! 😊