How I Secured a Fully Funded PhD at Chung-Ang University, South Korea Through the Global Korea Scholarship

Hi, my name is Catia Mota and I am from Porto, Portugal. I recently completed by PhD in Molecular Biology. Ever since I was young, I have possessed a profound curiosity about science and health. While pursuing my bachelor’s degree in clinical Analysis and Public Health, I fell deeply in love with scientific research. It was during this time that I decided to fully pursue that dream, leading me to advance my education in the vital field of Molecular Biology.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) / Formerly known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

Host Institution: Chung-Ang University (CAU) in Seoul, South Korea

Benefits Covered: Full tuition fees, one year of intensive language training fees, airfare, a monthly stipend, and a settlement allowance.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

No, I only applied for this scholarship.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Analysis and Public Health from Fernando Pessoa University (Porto, Portugal).

Master’s degree in Biomedical Science from NOVA University Lisbon - Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) (Lisbon, Portugal).

Practical & Cultural Preparation: Beyond my core academic activities, I proactively invested in learning the Korean language for a year and a half at the King Sejong Institute Lisbon (KSIL). I successfully progressed from Level 1 to Level 4 and was even recognized as the best Korean student at KSIL multiple times. To heavily reinforce my profile, I achieved TOPIK I Level 2 before applying and regularly participated in cultural events organized by the Korean Embassy in Portugal.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Chung-Ang University?

Finding Information

I conducted extensive independent research on the GKS program to gather as much fundamental information as possible. Crucially, I engaged in deep conversations with previous GKS awardees and fellow applicants to gain a clearer, first-hand understanding of the selection nuances.

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

Realizing that fluency in Korean would be a massive asset for both my integration and my application, I strictly focused on my language skills prior to applying. My year and a half of dedicated training at KSIL culminated in achieving a TOPIK I Level 2 certificate, which I believe gave my application a significant early boost.

Document & Application Preparation:

In Portugal, the selection process is exceptionally competitive, as there is only one scholarship available via the Embassy Track. Because of this, meticulous document preparation was critical. Gathering, verifying, translating, and obtaining apostilles for all required paperwork took a substantial amount of time. While waiting for the official application window to open, I carefully drafted my Personal Statement and Research plan, refining them through multiple iterations. Alongside the mandatory documents, I proactively submitted my TOPIK proficiency and academic award certificates to maximize my evaluation points.

How Do You Rate Chung-Ang University Academically?

I rate Chung-Ang University very highly from an academic standpoint. The university provides an excellent research environment, offering top-tier laboratory facilities and comprehensive research resources. The professors are highly demanding and set rigorous standards, which pushes you to grow significantly as a scientist and researcher.

How Does Chung-Ang University Support International Students?

It is important to note that the support system at CAU varies greatly depending on your status. If you are an exchange student, you receive a lot of dedicated support, including buddy programs and curated cultural activities. However, if you are a full-time, degree-seeking ("active") international student, you are treated exactly like any local korean student. This means there are no particular benefits, specialized support, or hand-holding; you are expected to navigate the university system independently.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Most of my classes were conducted entirely in Korean.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Korean?

Yes, absolutely. As a full-time graduate student, you are fully expected to integrate into the local academic ecosystem. This means you must take your classes in Korean, give academic presentations in Korean, and attend local workshops and conferences. Furthermore, you must handle all of your own administrative work entirely by yourself in Korean. Without a strong command of the language, navigating the academic and administrative workload would be incredibly difficult.

What Did You Pursue After the Global Korea Scholarship?

Following the successful completion of my PhD, I transitioned into high-level research. I am currently pursuing my Post-Doctoral fellowship (Post-Doc) at the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), a public research center in South Korea.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because I stayed completely authentic to myself. My Statement of Purpose (SOP) made a definitive difference. Additionally, I ensured that my research plan was robust, highly cohesive, and perfectly aligned with the academic strengths of Chung-Ang University. Furthermore, paying meticulous attention to detail helped me avoid common application mistakes, while submitting my optional language and award certificates maximized my competitive edge.

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

If I could do it over, I would focus even more heavily on my spoken korean communication skills even more. Even though I felt comfortable with the language beforehand and had won top student awards at KSIL, arriving in South Korea was a humbling experience that made me realize how challenging fluid, daily speech can be. Focusing intensely on practical speaking skills makes a monumental difference.

Prepare thoroughly. If you do not feel fully ready, wait until you are. Thorough, unhurried preparation is the absolute key to securing a scholarship. Also, align your goals. Ensure your personal, academic, and professional goals strictly align with the broader vision of the GKS program and your target university. I also believe on should take the time to independently learn about korean language, korean culture, and the educational system. Studying abroad requires a high degree of independence and self-reliance. Lastly, trust the process and remember that hard work never betrays the results. There is always hope, even during times of uncertainty.