How a Malaysian Student Earned the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship to Pursue a Master's in TESOL at Sun Moon University

My name is Eizat Zakbah, but I was known as Shin Taejun when I was in Korea. Back in 2020, I was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) as a scholar from Malaysia. Thanks to this amazing opportunity provided by the Korean government, I was able to pursue my Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in South Korea.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I first learned about the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) in 2017 when I was studying in South Korea as part of a semester-long student exchange program. Back then, it was known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP). The scholarship is managed by the National Institute of International Education (NIIED). As a recipient, I received a monthly living allowance of 1 million KRW, and my tuition fees were fully covered by the scholarship. I used the allowance to cover my living expenses, like accommodation, food, and other daily necessities.

Educational Background

I completed my bachelor’s degree in English for International Communication at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and graduated with a CGPA of 3.49/4.00. Since I had already studied in the English field during my bachelor’s, I decided to continue in a similar field for my master’s at Sun Moon University in South Korea. This background really helped me when I reached out to the professor at the university I was applying to. I was able to discuss my study plan confidently and in detail.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Sun Moon University?

I looked up the Global Korea Scholarship online and went through all the application forms and required documents from the previous year. Since there weren’t many changes in the application process, this gave me plenty of time to prepare everything I needed. I focused on writing my personal statement, securing recommendation letters, and taking the IELTS test.

Did You Prepare to Apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?

I definitely did. Going through the application forms from the previous intake helped me a lot. I didn’t wait for that year’s application to open before starting everything. Instead, I got a head start and prepared in advance.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

There were three key things that strengthened my application. First, I took the IELTS test, which definitely added a bonus point. Second, I mentioned in the application form that I had previously been to Korea for a semester under a student exchange program. Lastly, I spent a lot of time crafting my personal statement and study plan. I consulted with my friends, seniors, and even my lecturers from my undergraduate studies to make sure they were as strong as possible.

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

I’d probably suggest applying to top universities in Seoul, but I’d be lying if I said that’s the only way to go. Studying at my university, which was located outside of Seoul, gave me a whole new perspective on Korea. It also came with its own advantages—like much cheaper living costs, especially for accommodation. Plus, since my campus was surrounded by nature, we got heavier snowfall, which was beautiful. Oh, and I managed to save a lot of money because there weren’t as many temptations around. If I had lived in Seoul, I’m pretty sure I would’ve ended up in hotspots like Hongdae, Gangnam, and Itaewon every weekend. My money definitely wouldn’t have lasted until the end of the month!

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

There’s so much more to life than just attending S.K.Y. (Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University). Your life shouldn’t be defined by the name of your university. Haven’t you learned the lesson from the famous K-drama SKY Castle? Hahaha… Jokes aside, if you get the chance to study at S.K.Y., that’s great. But if you don’t, that’s okay too. You can study anywhere as long as it offers the program you’re looking for. Focus on doing well academically—ace those quizzes and exams so you can graduate with a strong CGPA. Along the way, build your passion and skills. Get involved in student activities like workshops, international seminars, or even part-time jobs. When you graduate, your resume should be more than just a perfect CGPA. Show them you were an active and well-rounded student, too.

Lastly, don’t give up if you don’t get the scholarship on your first try. Hey, I applied twice! I first applied in 2019, didn’t get it, and was pretty frustrated at the time. I worked for a while and waited to apply again the following year. Fighting! You’ve got this!!