A Turkmen National Wins the Global Korea Scholarship to Study an MBA at Dongseo University

Hi, my name is Guljemal Saparova, and I am from Turkmenistan. I am currently enrolled in the Korean language program at Dongseo University in South Korea, preparing for my Master's in Business Administration, which starts in a month. With a Bachelor's degree in English Language, Linguistics, Translation, and Interpretation from International Turkmen Turkish University, I dedicated six years to the field of education before seeking a career transition. This led me to pursue the Global Korea Scholarship.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

As I mentioned earlier, I am a 2023 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).recipient pursuing a graduate degree at Dongseo University studying Business Administration. The GKS program offers international students the opportunity to study at Korean universities at both undergraduate and graduate levels. It fosters global education exchange and strengthens South Korea's ties with other countries. Scholarship benefits include round-trip airfare, language training, tuition, and a monthly stipend.

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

Applying for scholarships was very stressful for me due to tight deadlines. There are two main ways to apply: through your country's embassy (embassy track) or directly to the university (university track). The embassy track lets you apply to three universities, while the university track is for one. Opting for the embassy track seemed safer, but it presented its own challenges. The application period was only two weeks (it's important to note that deadlines vary by country), forcing me to rapidly gather and certify documents before submitting them at the embassy. Following document screening, an embassy interview was required, necessitating another trip as the embassy was located in a different city.

Balancing this with my job and writing essays was extremely difficult. I strongly recommend starting your preparations as early as possible. You can find more details about the GKS scholarship and required documents on the StudyinKorea website. English proficiency tests are not required unless your chosen major is taught in English. However, a Korean language program is mandatory, and you must achieve TOPIK Level 3 within one academic year to begin your degree. Therefore, I recommend starting to learn Korean beforehand. Additionally, you may be exempt from the mandatory Korean language training program if you hold a TOPIK level 5 or higher at the time of

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

Now, reflecting on my application period, I can confidently say that starting early is crucial. Since I'm satisfied with the outcome, I can offer some advice that might be helpful for your application process. This brings us to the final question.

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

First, familiarize yourself with the GKS guidelines. You can download the 2024 guidelines here. They outline and provide extensive information on the application process and rules. You'll also find a list of eligible universities in the guidelines. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, focus on your preferences. Consider the ideal study environment: big city or small town? Public or private university? Are there specific extracurriculars important to you? Understanding your priorities and researching the country's weather and culture will help you narrow down your options.

Researching universities online or contacting current students can be helpful, but remember that everyone has a different and unique experience. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact the embassy's program coordinators. After all, they’re there to assist you. Seeking advice from former scholars is also beneficial, but be mindful of their time and understand that they might not have all the information. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, contact the universities or department representatives directly. Their information is more reliable for making informed decisions.