From Turkey to China and Europe: My Journey with the Chinese Government Scholarship

My name is Enes Karakaya, and I am originally from Turkey. My academic and professional journey has taken me across Turkey, China, and Europe, shaped by a strong interest in the Chinese language, culture, and international business environments.

I started my journey in China after receiving the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) Type A – Bilateral Program through the Turkish Ministry of National Education, Directorate General for European Union and Foreign Affairs, under the Foreign Government Scholarships framework. This scholarship allowed me to study in China with one year of intensive language preparation followed by four years of undergraduate education.

Scholarship & Academic Journey in China

I began my studies in 2016 with one year of intensive Chinese language training at Nanjing Normal University (南京师范大学). In China, language preparation is usually provided by universities specialized in language education called Normal Universities (师范大学 – Shīfàn Dàxué). During this period, I studied with students from many different countries, which created an intensive and multicultural learning environment. This was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am still in contact with many of my friends through social media and WeChat.

Normally, the scholarship provides one year of language preparation. However, because my planned bachelor's major required a higher level of Chinese proficiency (HSK 5 high score or HSK 6 level), I requested and received approval for an additional year of advanced Chinese language study. I completed this additional year at Fudan University (复旦大学), focusing on academic Chinese and subject-specific terminology. At the end of this period, I achieved a high HSK 5 score and continued in my bachelor's program.

From 2018 to 2022, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language – Business Chinese at Shanghai Normal University (上海师范大学), graduating with a GPA of 3.4.

During my time in China, I traveled across many provinces and cities. I also worked on translation and interpretation projects for Turkish businesspeople during trade fairs, factory visits, business trips, and personal events. These experiences significantly improved my real-life communication skills and helped me understand the Chinese business environment early in my career.

The scholarship covered full tuition fees, free on-campus accommodation, a monthly living allowance (around 2,500 RMB), health insurance, and annual round-trip flight support.

Continuing My Journey in Europe

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I continued my academic journey in Europe. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies (Chinese Studies track) at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

During my master’s studies, I participated in a master's exchange program in Taiwan, which was an amazing experience for me, especially after living in mainland China for many years. It allowed me to experience another Chinese-speaking academic and cultural environment from a different perspective.

During my time in the Netherlands, I also completed internship programs at two large international companies. In the Netherlands, official internships are strongly connected to university enrollment, which creates a structured bridge between education and the professional world. Many companies offer internships, traineeships, and graduate programs specifically for bachelor's and master's students. This provides a strong advantage for entering the job market quickly after graduation and building a solid career foundation.

After my internships, I joined Huawei as an intern. At the end of my internship period, I was offered a full-time contract and decided to continue my professional career there. I am currently working in an international business environment, focusing on marketing and partner ecosystem development in the European energy sector.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because of my genuine curiosity about China, my strong research mindset, and my communication skills. I invested time in understanding not only the language but also Chinese culture, society, and academic expectations. I was proactive in communicating with institutions and carefully preparing my application materials. Showing clear motivation, strong preparation, and a long-term vision connecting education with career goals made my application stronger.

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

If I could go back, I would try to gain internship experience in Chinese companies during my bachelor studies and ideally complete my master’s degree in China as well. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic affected my plans. I had to leave China at the beginning of the pandemic and complete my final bachelor year online, which limited my ability to gain local work experience during that period.

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

My main advice would be: research thoroughly, do not hesitate to communicate and reach out, and believe in yourself. If you show genuine interest, strong preparation, and present a clear academic and career plan, I strongly believe you can succeed in getting scholarships like this.