How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Transilvania University of Brașov, Romania Through the Romanian Government Scholarship

My name is Khaled Omar Zakaria Zaky. I am 26 years old and from Egypt. I was born in Jordan to an Egyptian father and a Jordanian mother, which gave me early exposure to different cultures and perspectives.

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science in Egypt, specializing in Economics. After completing my undergraduate studies in Egypt, I decided to continue my academic journey in the field of economics and international affairs.

I was fortunate to receive a Romanian Government scholarship to pursue my Master's degree at Transilvania University of Brașov in Romania, where I studied International Economic Relations.

My decision to pursue graduate studies in this field was driven by my interest in international economics, international relations, and the way economic policies and global developments influence countries and societies.

Romanian Government Scholarship Details

I received a Romanian Government scholarship offered through the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to pursue my Master's studies at Transilvania University of Brașov.

The scholarship covered the main costs of my studies, including tuition fees and accommodation in the student dormitory, in addition to providing a monthly financial allowance. The scholarship also included a Romanian language preparatory year, which was necessary because my Master's programme was taught in Romanian.

The monthly allowance was approximately €75 initially and was later increased to approximately €175 per month.

Although the monthly financial allowance was relatively modest, the scholarship was extremely valuable because it significantly reduced the overall cost of studying abroad by covering tuition and accommodation and providing financial support throughout my studies.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

No. I did not receive or accept another scholarship.

Romania offered several scholarship opportunities, but I personally applied only for the Romanian Government scholarship mentioned above. The programme had a limited number of places, and I was fortunate to be among the selected candidates.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science in Egypt, specializing in Economics, with a GPA of 3.17 out of 4.00.

During my undergraduate studies, I also completed a considerable number of additional courses related to my academic and professional interests. These courses helped me develop a broader understanding of economics and strengthened my academic profile.

I believe my educational background prepared me well for my Master's studies because it provided me with a strong foundation in economics while also exposing me to political and international issues.

In addition to my academic record, I focused on building a coherent application through strong recommendation letters, a well-developed motivation letter, and a clear study plan.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Transilvania University of Brașov?

How Did You Find Information About Romanian Government Scholarship and Transilvania University of Brașov?

I spent a significant amount of time researching scholarships and universities. I regularly searched for official scholarship announcements, studied the eligibility requirements carefully, and compared different opportunities before deciding where to apply.

I also benefited from connecting with people who had previous experience with scholarships and studying abroad. Speaking with previous scholarship recipients helped me understand the application process from a practical perspective.

Over time, I developed a habit of researching opportunities early rather than waiting until the application deadline.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

No. I did not take standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or GMAT for this scholarship application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Romanian Government Scholarship?

My main strategy was to start preparing early.

I carefully studied the scholarship requirements and prepared my documents well in advance. Rather than simply submitting documents, I tried to make sure that all parts of my application presented a consistent academic story.

My academic background, additional courses, recommendation letters, motivation letter, and study plan were connected and supported the same overall direction.

I also researched the scholarship thoroughly before applying. Understanding what the scholarship committee was looking for helped me present my qualifications and academic goals more effectively.

How is Your Experience at Transilvania University of Brașov?

My experience at Transilvania University of Brașov was very positive.

The academic and administrative staff were generally supportive, and I found the university environment welcoming. I also appreciated the opportunity to study alongside students from different parts of the world.

The international environment was one of the most valuable aspects of my experience. I met students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions, which allowed me to learn from different cultures and perspectives.

How Do You Rate Transilvania University of Brașov Academically?

Academically, I had a positive experience at Transilvania University of Brașov.

One of the most important achievements during my Master's studies was becoming involved in academic research and publishing a scientific paper. My research work is publicly available through my academic profile on Google Scholar.

For me, this was one of the most important outcomes of my Master's experience because it encouraged me to continue developing as a researcher and strengthened my motivation to pursue a PhD.

How Does Transilvania University of Brașov Support International Students?

The university provides an international and multicultural environment, with students coming from different regions of the world.

This environment made it easier for international students to interact with one another and adapt to studying and living in Romania. I also found the staff and university community generally helpful and approachable.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Romanian?

My Master's programme was taught in Romanian.

Because I did not speak Romanian when I arrived, the scholarship included a Romanian language preparatory year before starting the Master's programme. This was an important part of my experience and allowed me to develop the language skills necessary for my studies.

What Did You Pursue After the Romanian Government Scholarship?

After completing my Master's studies, I decided to continue pursuing an academic and research career.

My current goal is to pursue a PhD in Europe, particularly in areas related to economics, international economics, sustainability, and related fields. I am currently exploring PhD opportunities and working toward the next stage of my academic career.

I have also started helping other students who are interested in scholarships and international education. I have assisted many students in searching for and applying to scholarship opportunities in Romania and other countries.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Romanian?

For students studying in Romania, I would recommend learning Romanian, particularly if their programme is taught in Romanian.

However, international students should not necessarily be discouraged by the language barrier. In my case, the preparatory year gave me the opportunity to learn Romanian before beginning my Master's studies.

The key is to be prepared for the language-learning process and to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the university and scholarship programme.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the strongest aspect of my application was its overall coherence.

I did not rely on one particular achievement. Instead, I tried to build a profile in which my academic background, additional courses, recommendation letters, motivation letter, and study plan supported the same academic direction.

I also had considerable experience researching scholarship opportunities and preparing applications. I had spent a lot of time learning about different scholarships and understanding their requirements.

Another important factor was networking. I connected with people who had experience with the scholarship and used their knowledge to better understand the application process.

Ultimately, I believe preparation, consistency, and starting early made the biggest difference.

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

If I were going through the process again, I would start even earlier and invest more time in developing my academic and extracurricular profile before applying.

I would also continue building research experience and academic publications earlier in my academic journey.

The scholarship application process taught me that a strong application is not created in a few days. It is the result of gradually building a coherent profile over time.

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

Start early and build your profile before you need the scholarship.

Do not wait until you find a scholarship announcement before beginning your preparation. Research scholarship opportunities regularly and understand their requirements well in advance.

I would also encourage students to:

• Participate in volunteering and social activities.
• Take additional courses related to their academic field, including reputable online courses such as those available through Coursera.
• Develop strong academic and professional relationships that can lead to meaningful recommendation letters.
• Build a coherent academic profile rather than collecting unrelated certificates and activities.
• Make sure that the CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and study plan tell a consistent story about who you are and what you want to achieve.
• Research the institution and scholarship carefully before applying.
• Apply to opportunities even if you are not completely certain that you will be selected. Every application is also an opportunity to gain experience and improve.
• Most importantly, do not be discouraged by rejection. I personally researched and applied to many opportunities before achieving my scholarship success. Each application taught me something new and helped me become better prepared.

Today, I am grateful that my experience has allowed me to help many other students who are looking for scholarships in Romania and other countries.

Start early, stay consistent, research carefully, and believe in the value of your own academic journey.

I wish everyone applying for a scholarship the very best of luck.