Indonesian Urban Planning Student Wins Global Korea Scholarship to Study at Korea University

My name is Hening Tyas Subekti, and I am from Indonesia. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Design at Korea University's Department of Architecture as a proud Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2022 scholar.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Regional Development at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and since my undergraduate years, I have been deeply interested in urban ecology issues. Inspired by South Korea’s successful examples of coastal city planning, I decided to further my education here to gain practical knowledge that I can apply in my home country.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I am honored to receive the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) offered by the Korean Government through the National Institute of International Education (NIIED).

The scholarship provides full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance of 1,300,000 KRW, round-trip airfare, settlement support, and one year of Korean language training before the degree program begins.

This comprehensive support has allowed me to focus fully on my academic and research pursuits without financial burden.

Educational Background

Prior to my master's studies, I completed my Bachelor's degree at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Indonesia, majoring in Regional Development under the Faculty of Geography. I graduated with a GPA of 3.80/4.00 and was recognized as one of the Best Graduates of my faculty.

During my undergraduate studies, I successfully published my thesis research in the journal Sustinere: Journal of Environment and Sustainability.

Although I am now pursuing a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Design under the College of Engineering at Korea University, the academic connection between regional development and urban planning is very strong.
Both fields share foundations in spatial analysis, urban systems, and sustainable development.

This strong relevance made it natural for me to bridge my undergraduate background into my master's studies and allowed me to write a focused and coherent study plan for my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Korean Institutions?

To select and apply to institutions, I thoroughly researched universities offering programs in Urban Planning and Design that aligned with my academic and professional goals.

I relied on official university websites, scholarship guidelines, and testimonials from past scholars, carefully reviewing course structures, faculty expertise, and research opportunities. I also checked syllabi and faculty publications, and reached out to professors whose research interests aligned with mine. I filtered my choices based on the language of instruction, university ranking, and location to best match my field of study.

Korea University stood out for its strong interdisciplinary approach and its balanced emphasis on environmental, cultural, and technological aspects of urban development, making it my top choice.

How did you prepare for TOEIC?

For language certification, I submitted TOEIC scores, which are widely accepted, especially in East Asian countries like Korea. I chose TOEIC due to practical considerations and achieved a score of 880.

In preparation, I practiced consistently with mock exams and sample questions, focusing on improving both my listening and reading skills to meet the scholarship requirements.

In addition to formal practice, I also watched Korean dramas and shows with English subtitles, which helped me naturally enhance both my English comprehension and Korean listening skills, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Global Korea Scholarships?

Understanding that scholarship journeys are often long and uncertain, I approached my GKS application with a "nothing to lose" mindset but full commitment. I printed the official GKS guidelines and read them thoroughly, line by line, to ensure every requirement was clear.

I connected with previous GKS awardees to ask about points I found confusing, and I started preparing documents six months before the application period. Given the strictness of GKS in document verification (e.g., legalization, apostille, recommendation letters), I prioritized handling administrative tasks early.

For the essays — the heart of the application — I focused on being sincere, honest, and focused rather than listing every achievement that I got. I believe this authenticity made a significant difference in my application.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the strength of my application came from my essays, where I poured my heart and effort into expressing my journey, motivations, and future plans. I focused on crafting a narrative rooted in personal experiences and genuine passion for urban and environmental issues. I reflected deeply on why studying in South Korea was meaningful to me and how my background in Indonesia connected to my future goals.

I believe it’s not about showing the most certificates, but about showing a clear, focused, and genuine story that resonates with reviewers.

What would you have done differently if you were going through the process again?

If I could redo the process, I would start preparing documents earlier, research my target major and universities more thoroughly, and build a stronger portfolio. I also wish I had engaged earlier in international forums to enrich my experience.
Starting earlier in all aspects would have made my preparation more confident and complete.

What advice would you give to those looking to apply for a similar scholarship?

First, invest time in learning the Korean language early on, even at a basic level. It will greatly enhance your academic and daily life experience in Korea.

Second, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions — whether it’s to universities, professors, scholarship offices, or past scholars.

Third, focus on your essays. Be honest, focused, and rooted in your real experiences.

Finally, start early and be meticulous with administrative documents. Scholarships like GKS are highly competitive, and attention to detail can make all the difference. Believe in your story, it might be the very thing that makes you stand out!