Global Korea Scholar, Islamuddin from Indonesia, Pursues a Master’s in Quantum Information Physics at Korea University, South Korea

My name is Islamuddin Alimurrijal, and I am from South Sulawesi, Indonesia. I am currently doing my master’s degree at Korea University in Quantum Information Physics. I am passionate about advancing the field of quantum technologies and hope to contribute to bridging the gap between research and real-world applications.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I was awarded as one of the awardees of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) in 2023. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded scholarship offered by the National Institute of International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea. The GKS program is divided into two categories: GKS-U for undergraduate studies, which typically opens in September, and GKS-G for graduate studies (master’s, doctoral, and research), which generally opens in February each year. This scholarship covers tuition fees, Korean language program fees, monthly allowances, airfares, as well as research and settlement allowances.

Educational Background

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Brawijaya, Indonesia, graduating with a CGPA of 3.86/4.00. During my undergraduate studies, I concentrated on Computational Physics, where I gained knowledge that spanned from fundamental aspects of physics to more practical applications of physics, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational atom, and others. As I delved deeper, I was introduced to the potential of quantum computers to provide innovative solutions and offer technological advancement. Motivated by this, I decided to focus more on the field, which ultimately led me to complete my bachelor’s degree and continue my master’s degree in Quantum Information Physics.

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

I gathered most of the information about this scholarship from the internet, particularly from the official scholarship website at studyinkorea.go.kr. Furthermore, I joined several Telegram communities with past awardees and fellow applicants. I also watched YouTube videos from former awardees who shared their experiences, along with tips and strategies for applying. Moreover, I connected with awardees on LinkedIn to gain further insights from their journeys.

Applying for this scholarship is integrated with the university application process, so I did not do any separate preparation when I applied. There are two application tracks: the Embassy Track, where documents are submitted through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the applicant’s home country, and the University Track, where documents are submitted directly to a university in South Korea. I took the university track and submitted my documents directly to Korea University. While preparing for this scholarship, I took the IELTS test and obtained an overall score of 7.5. 

Exploring the universities and majors is a crucial step. I conducted my own research on the programs I was interested in and identified the universities that best matched my goals, while also taking into account the probability of securing the scholarship if I applied there. The most time-consuming step was preparing all the required documents and sending them to the university before the deadline.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

My classes are mostly in English. However, there are some classes that are conducted in Korean. 

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing Korean?

Not knowing Korean may cause difficulties in daily life while living in Korea, but as long as these challenges do not interfere with your academic performance, then lacking Korean skills is not a problem for your studies. However, studying abroad is not only about academics but also about experiencing the culture and embracing diversity. So, I would really recommend to learn at least the basics of the language used in your target country. It immerses you in the culture and makes your life abroad more fun.

Fortunately, GKS offers a one-year mandatory Korean language program that you must complete before beginning your degree. This is designed both for students who are completely new to Korean and for those who may know some basics but are not yet confident (TOPIK level 4 or lower). The program also includes cultural activities that help you gain a deeper introduction to Korean culture.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

There is no perfect application, but there is always a well-prepared one that highlights your strengths and shows your genuine motivation. My application is not perfect, but it was well-prepared. What likely made my application stand out was the way I structured it as a story. Instead of simply listing my academic achievements, I focused more on telling the journey of how I accomplished them, highlighting the challenges, growth, and dedication involved.

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

If I had a chance to go through the process again, I would definitely begin much earlier. The application was quite tough and required a significant amount of preparation. Starting sooner would have given me more time to get ready and reduced the stress and worry along the way. Other than that, I wouldn’t change anything, and I feel confident in the story I shared.

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

Be authentic and be confident in yourself. You are the only one who truly understands the journey you have taken, and you are the best person to tell that story. While preparing your application, don’t forget to take care of your well-being, take breaks, stay balanced, and don’t let the stress overwhelm you.