Romanian Government Scholarship Recipient, Josefina Cabrera, Shares the Story of How She Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue Her Studies in Bucharest, Romania

Hi! My name is Josefina Cabrera, and I’m from Asunción, Paraguay. I am excited to share my story that led me to gain great scholarships around the world.

I grew up most of my childhood in a small city on the border with Brazil. That is how I got immersed in two different cultures since I was little, speaking Spanish and learning English and Portuguese at the same time. The eagerness to learn new languages, new cultures, and experience new things in life led me to, even before finishing high school, know that I wanted to study abroad.

I began my scholarship research early. While still in high school, I began researching different scholarship opportunities, contacting different universities in the U.S. and different countries in Europe.

Universities take a lot into account while looking at your application, are your extracurricular activities. Which is why during my senior year a high school, I focused on first of all looking for opportunities as a high school student. This is how I applied and got into the Yale Young Global Scholars program, a prestigious summer program for outstanding high school students from Yale University with an almost full scholarship.

After graduating high school, I took a gap year and started applying to universities in the U.S and Europe. I researched different universities, looking for one that fit what I was looking for. I started writing essays, preparing a strong CV, and also prepared and took the Duolingo English Test, gaining a 130 on my test.

During the process of applying to different universities, I came across the Romanian Government Scholarship, a scholarship that offers full coverage of studies. The Romanian Government Scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stood out to me. That is how I started my application journey to this scholarship, researching different universities in Romania, contacting past alumni, and working on preparing a strong CV and translating all my documents. After some months of waiting, I received the news that I had been accepted for the Scholarship. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to study in Bucharest, Romania.

Romanian Government Scholarship Details

The Romanian Government Scholarship given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers full coverage of tuition and accommodation, a subsidy of local transport, and around 60 euros in cash monthly to help with expenses. The scholarship also includes an additional preparatory year of the Romanian language. Learning Romanian is a requirement to get the scholarship.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

-Yale Young Global Scholars summer program from Yale University for high school students. Amount (around 98% of the program cost)

-Íñigo Scholarship from Saint Louis University Madrid (Amount of 9,500 euros per year)

-Presidential Scholarship at Simmons University, USA ($107,000 for four years, $27,000 for each year)

Educational Background

I graduated from a bilingual high school with a GPA of 3.98/4. As for extracurricular activities, I believe I was pretty active. I was part of the school’s volunteering team, I was a member of the Operation Smile committee at my school, and was also a volunteer for the Benjamin Franklin Science Corner, a science space from the United States Embassy in Paraguay. I was vice president of my classroom in senior year, and was a member of the Youth Council of the United States Embassy in Paraguay. Lastly, I am a 2021 alumnus and 2022 Ambassador from the Yale Young Global Scholars from Yale University.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

When applying to universities abroad, I believe that research is the most important part. Research different universities, programs, and scholarship opportunities to know if the program aligns with your academic aspirations. When I applied to the Romanian Scholarship, most of my research was on the StudyInRomania platform. I also researched specific universities in Romania through their own website and contacted students who already won the scholarship to hear about their experiences.

When applying to the Romanian scholarship, I focused on building a strong CV, highlighting my academic and extracurricular activities.

It is important to know that for this scholarship is really important to know English. There will be a section on the scholarship application where you will be asked if you want to insert an English Certificate. I believe that to present a strong application, it is important to upload an English Certificate. I sent the Duolingo English Test, but they also accept the TOEFL and IELTS.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe what made my application stand out was the balance between strong academic performance and diverse experiences beyond the classroom. My 3.98 GPA reflected my dedication and consistency, while my involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities demonstrated initiative, leadership, and adaptability.

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

If done differently, I would have taken more time to do a more deep research into each university before choosing my top option, as it would have helped me to apply more securely.

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

-Do your research and apply early: Finding the right scholarship takes time. Research thoroughly, compare opportunities, and make sure the requirements align with your goals and profile. Starting early gives you enough room to prepare strong documents and avoid last-minute stress.

-Have a clear sense of purpose:  Most universities and scholarship committees want to know why you are applying. Be clear about your career goals, the reasons you chose that program, and, most importantly, what makes you stand out. Find your purpose.

-Don’t underestimate extracurricular activities: Always go beyond academics. When applying to any scholarship, every information you give counts. Every activity, related to your field of study or not, could demonstrate initiative, leadership, and commitment. Include volunteering activities, clubs, internships, and community projects, as they will show who you are beyond academics.

-Be disciplined and put in the work: Wishing for a scholarship isn’t enough; you need to prepare, stay consistent, and put real effort into your application. Work hard on your university research, your letter of recommendation, CV, and essays, if needed for your application.

-Connect with past recipients: Reach out to people who have already won the scholarship you’re aiming for. They can give you feedback on your essays, share insights into what the committee is looking for, and motivate you with their journey.

- Say authentic: It’s normal to ask others for feedback, but don’t lose your voice in the process. Scholarship committees want to know you. Write in a way that reflects your personality, values, and unique story. Authenticity is what truly makes you stand out.

-Lastly, don’t give up: Rejections are part of the journey. Some advice I could give to myself after all the opportunities I have applied for is to not give up and believe in yourself. Before winning my scholarship, I faced more than ten rejections. Each “no” helped me grow, refine my application, and build resilience. Remember, you only need one acceptance to change your life. Keep improving, keep applying, and believe in yourself.