From Indonesia to Korea: How Fathani Rakhmah Won the Global Korea Scholarship to Study Mass Communication at Daegu Catholic University

My name is Fathani Rakhmah, I am from Tangerang, Indonesia. While in Indonesia, my friends used to call me Hani, and I found out that my nickname is also a common name used by Koreans. I am so glad to know this fun fact when I came here.

I am pursuing my master’s degree majoring in Mass Communication, Advertising & PR at Daegu Catholic University. I have related work experience in this field and have always had an interest and passion to continue to study more about it; however, I can hardly find a master's degree in Indonesia with a specific major related to marketing communication, advertising, and PR that combines theoretical and practical knowledge. To fill the knowledge gap that I hardly find in Indonesia, I decided to continue my master's degree in South Korea, where marketing communication and PR are already well-established globally. I am inspired by South Korea's rapid growth in the marketing, advertising, and media communication sectors with innovative ideas, creative content, and high technology. South Korea's marketing industry is one of the top levels, reaching the point where it could influence the global scale and lift up its economy.

Global Korea Scholarships Details

In 2022, I was an awardee of IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) and received a full scholarship for a study exchange at Daegu Catholic University, South Korea. The scholarship was given by the Indonesian Government. It covers all of the financial needs for one semester in South Korea, including round-trip airfare, visa, settlement allowance, monthly allowance, and tuition fee.

In 2024, a year after I graduated, I decided to continue my master’s degree with the support of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) by NIIED (National Institute of International Education). GKS Scholarship covers airfare, tuition fees, visa, and a monthly allowance of around KRW 1.180.000 per month during the Korean language program and around KRW 1.300.000 per month during the master’s degree program (more details can be checked on GKS Guidelines).

Educational Background

I graduated from Jakarta State Polytechnic majoring in Meeting, Incentives, Convention, and Exhibition also known as MICE with a cum laude GPA of 3.72 out of 4.00. My major is about how to manage and organize events, but we also learn the fundamentals in the field related to my master’s degree major, which is Mass Communication, Advertising & PR.

Holding a successful event requires a good marketing strategy. I was also an active committee member in my campus organization for a year, and then continued to do part-time, volunteering, and internship related to mass communication, advertising, PR, and marketing of MICE and other events. I also got selected to study exchange at Daegu Catholic University, majoring in hospitality and tourism with a full scholarship. My educational background helped me to understand the fundamental knowledge of my master’s degree major.

How did you prepare to apply to Daegu Catholic University?

Since I came to Daegu Catholic University (DCU) in 2022 for a study exchange, I have had plenty of wonderful memories at DCU. Those experiences amazed me at how the education system in South Korea works, which I had never experienced before back in Indonesia. The environment is supportive of studying, which allows me to learn various knowledge. Not only academic knowledge, but I also learn a meaningful life lesson about tolerance.

Even though I have a different religion, I still remember clearly how everyone on the campus is so kind and respectful, including staff, students, professors, nuns, and the pastor. Thanks to them, I can adapt quickly to the campus. Those good memories in DCU remain and then motivate me to return to Daegu Catholic University to pursue my master's degree in Mass Communication, Advertising & PR through the Global Korea Scholarship.

How did you prepare for TOEIC and TOPIK?

I applied to GKS with TOEIC and TOPIK I level 2 certificates. To get those certificates, I do self-study through books, YouTube, movies, and songs in English and the Korean language. To learn a new language, I think it is important to find something that is entertaining and at the same time improves our language skills, so the study process becomes more exciting. After studying the Korean language in Korea for around 9 months, I got my TOPIK II level 5 certificate. To get this level, I try to focus more on TOPIK writing, find the writing pattern, and try to solve some previous TOPIK questions.

How Did You Prepare to apply to GKS?

Since High School, I have always wanted to study in South Korea, and I found out about the Global Korea Scholarship during college. Since then, I have tried to find various experiences that can probably help me to get the scholarship.

I did some self-study to improve my English communication skills and also learn some basic Korean language, and then I took the TOEIC and TOPIK exams to get the certificates. I also tried to find some experiences through volunteering, study exchange in South Korea, part-time, and internships that related to my major. Then I collected those certificates as proof of my experiences.

After graduating, I also worked in the relevant field and did lots of research about the Global Korea Scholarship before applying. At first, I applied through the embassy track, but I didn't prepare very well, so I got rejected. However, I still had a chance to apply through the university track for around 3 weeks after the embassy track, with those limited times, I tried my best to revise my essay until my messages and goals could be delivered well through my essay writing.

How was Your Experience at Daegu Catholic University?

During my studies at Daegu Catholic University, thanks to a good educational system and great teachers who taught me in the Korean language program, I was able to achieve my goal of getting TOPIK level 5 in less than a year. Not only learning about the Korean language, I also learn about Korean traditional culture and traditional games through special classes provided by the campus. I also went on some field trips provided by the campus, the most memorable was when I went to Dokdo and Ulleung-do with my classmates, where these islands hold important historical value to Korea. There are also international student sports festivals and food festivals where we can share our culture with Korean and other international students.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or in Korean?

The class is conducted in full Korean.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

Since GKS provides a 1-year Korean language program to learn the Korean language before starting the degree, it is mandatory to learn the Korean language before starting the degree program.  Koreans rarely use English for their communication, and the Korean alphabet is also very different. I recommend learning at least Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and simple daily phrases before coming to Korea to help you adapt quickly to the Korean environment and language barrier.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I personally think my essays make my application stand out because I have never won any competition, and I also don’t have many achievements compared to other awardees. However, I try my best to stand out in my essay to deliver my thoughts, goals, motivation, and personal experiences through my essay. I did my personal research about essay writing for around 2 years, drafted my essay’s main ideas for around 1 year, and finally wrote the full version and revised the essay continuously for around 1 month. The tips to write a good essay are to have an engaging opening that can attract readers to read continuously till the end, have a clear plan and goals, be to the point, and all of the topics need to have something in common that connects the main idea of the essay.

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

If I were going through the process again, I would prepare it 10 months earlier. I prepared the selection documents only for around 2 months, but I was an active employee in a company and only had time to prepare all of the documents after my office hours and during the weekend. I should have prepared it earlier, so I could be more relaxed doing the preparation for the selection process. I also would have learned more of the Korean language, especially grammar and vocabulary, because it takes so much time to remember all of the new vocabulary, especially within specific terms related to my major.

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

Please do as much research about scholarship information as you can; the more details, the better. If you want to apply for GKS, even if a language certificate is optional, I think it makes a huge difference in the selection process. Therefore, don’t forget to also study English/Korean to get those language certificates (TOPIK, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC).