M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence Student Hassan Shayan from Pakistan Shares His Journey of Studying at Kunsan National University, South Korea

My name is Hassan Shayan, and I am from Pakistan. I was selected as a 2024 recipient of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) funded by the Korean government. I am pursuing a Master's in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Kunsan National University, South Korea, because of its strong academic reputation, advanced research environment, and technological innovation. My academic background is Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and I have a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. I chose to continue my studies in the field of AI to deepen my research capabilities and contribute to technological development in the future.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2024, a fully funded scholarship supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea.GKS is a highly competitive and prestigious scholarship aimed at developing global leaders and strengthening international cooperation. The scholarship includes:

1. Full tuition coverage
2. Monthly stipend
3. Round-trip airfare
4. Korean language training support
5. Medical insurance

Educational Background

I completed my undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Pakistan with a strong academic record of 3.54/4.00, graduating with a Gold Medal from The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan. My coursework included advanced mathematics, programming, and system modeling, which helped me develop strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and research discipline. These skills were essential when applying for competitive international scholarships such as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). In addition to my academic background, I worked for three years as a Technical Engineer at a multinational company in Pakistan. In this role, I provided technical support to various industries across the country, assisting them in managing production line issues and troubleshooting faulty equipment. I also supported clients in sourcing appropriate equipment and frequently met with engineers working on-site to help resolve technical challenges. This professional experience significantly strengthened my technical expertise, communication skills, and confidence. It allowed me to develop practical problem-solving abilities while working directly with industry professionals, further enhancing both my personal and professional growth.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Kunsan National University?

Preparation for Korean institutions required detailed research and careful planning. I reviewed university programs, faculty research interests, faculty’s recent research, and program requirements thoroughly before selecting my preferred institutions. I primarily used the official studyinkorea.go.kr and their guidelines and application handbook, University websites, Korean embassy announcements, and Government scholarship portals. The GKS guideline document was especially important because it clearly stated eligibility requirements, documentation format, and evaluation criteria.

Everything is mentioned on the official website of Studyinkorea, all the universities available, departments, and their requirements. You can find in that website. At the time of applying, I did not have any formal language proficiency test scores, such as IELTS or TOPIK. Since I was applying for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), which includes a one-year Korean language training program before the start of the degree, a Korean proficiency certificate was not mandatory at that stage. As for English proficiency, I had completed all my previous education in an English-medium institution. Therefore, I obtained an official English Proficiency Certificate from my university to confirm that my undergraduate studies were conducted entirely in English.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the GKS Scholarship?

For the GKS application, accuracy and completeness of documents were extremely important. I carefully prepared the following documents

1. Personal Statement
2. Study Plan
3. Recommendation letters
4. Certified academic transcripts
5. Apostilled documents
6. Proof of citizenship
7. Medical assessment

The most important factor in my application was ensuring that every document strictly followed the official GKS instructions. I double-checked formatting, required stamps, apostille & notarization of documents, translation accuracy, and submission order. Since GKS is highly competitive, even small documentation errors can lead to disqualification. Therefore, precision and organization were critical.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

As I have been selected as an R&D student, all of my research is in English. As for the courses or in the classroom, the lectures are mixed sometimes in korean and sometimes it's in English.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

Academically, it is manageable if the program is offered in English or half in English and half in Korean. However, daily life and part-time opportunities can be challenging without Korean language proficiency. For a part-time or full-time job in Korea its difficult for a person who doesn’t speak the native language.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think the only thing that stood out for my application was the documentation and meeting the application deadlines. Honestly, for GKS, many strong candidates lose opportunities because of small documentation errors or deadline issues. Further, I was really focused on the following points.

1. Strict adherence to GKS documentation guidelines
2. Clear and realistic study plan
3. Strong academic record
4. Well-written and focused personal statement
5. Organized and accurate submission

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

If I were applying again, I would begin preparing documents even earlier to reduce stress and allow more time for proofreading and external review.

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

My advice for the students who are applying for GKS is first of all research well about the university you are applying and look for departments or courses that aligns with your academic background after that carefully read the GKS guidelines multiple times, follow the exact document order and format required, double check Apostille & notarization and translations, prepare a focused and realistic study plan, submit early and avoid last-minute preparation.