Global Korea Scholarship Recipient, Kristina Zakharenko from Russia, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Architecture at Ewha Womans University, South Korea

My name is Kristina Zakharenko, and I am from Russia. I received the GKS scholarship in 2022. I am now 22 years old and in my 5th year of studying Architecture at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

I like architecture because it combines so many different fields like engineering, design, project management, and construction. I feel like I can do almost anything with this degree; even if I don't become an architect, the skills I’ve gained will help me later in life.

Back in high school, I wasn't exactly sure why I wanted to study architecture, but I just felt like other degrees wouldn't suit me. Now, I realize that I love creating systems, and my dream is to build a business and eventually get an MBA from Harvard.

Outside of my studies, I do modeling in Korea and run a YouTube channel called Hanmiso.

GKS-U Scholarship Details

I received the GKS-U scholarship (embassy track) for my undergraduate degree. The scholarship covers my travel expenses to Korea, 100% of my tuition, and medical insurance. It also provides a monthly stipend of around 1,150,000 won, though that amount can change over time.

Educational Background

I attended HSE Lyceum in Moscow, which is one of the best schools in Russia, and graduated with a 100% GPA (5.0/5.0). I chose that school because it offered various programs, including Oriental Studies. This allowed me to study Korean and English as my main subjects during high school. I used my time wisely to prepare for the GKS application while still in school because language skills are such a big part of the process. I didn't even apply to universities in Russia; I focused entirely on preparing to study abroad.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Ewha Womans University?

How Did You Find Information About the GKS Scholarship and Ewha Womans University?

I have wanted to study abroad since elementary school. I found a video about GKS five years before I actually applied, so I had plenty of time to learn Korean from scratch to an advanced level, improve my English, and focus on my grades, preparing other documents like the letter of recommendation or personal statement. The university itself wasn’t my priority back then, but I wanted to study in Seoul and attend one of the top universities.

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

I took two tests for this scholarship: TOPIK, aka the test of proficiency in Korean, and IELTS, aka english test.

TOPIK: It was stressful because tests were cancelled during COVID. I had only one attempt left before the application, but I managed to get Level 5 (Advanced) with 223 points. I taught myself Korean starting at age 14 because I didn't have the money for tutors.

IELTS: I got a 6.5 (B2 level). English wasn't my best language back then because I was so focused on Korean, but I practiced essays every day for a month to prepare. Also, I searched the internet for IELTS preparation books, practiced essays every day, and learned advanced vocabulary.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the GKS Scholarship?

I prepared all my documents early, but when the 2022 GKS-U list came out, Architecture appeared for the first time. I originally had everything ready for an Interior Design major, so I had to rapidly change my Study Plan, Personal Statement, and university choices right when the application started.

After that, I felt confident during the embassy and university interviews because I was well-prepared, and I ended up being accepted to all three universities I applied to: Hanyang, Ewha, and Hannam.

How is (was) Your Experience at Ewha Womans University?

I felt disappointed overall in the education system in Korea and the universities here. The system itself (like the university administration) is too conservative, and the professors are not as good as I expected. Because of cultural norms like social hierarchy in Korea, students are at the very bottom of the hierarchy. This really affects student life; it’s hard to complain about anything unless it’s something very serious, like a crime, because we are "just students" and the administration and professors just see us as kids.

There is also some tension between Korean and international students. I get better grades than my Korean classmates, and they see me as a "competitor," so they don't want to be friends with me, or they intentionally make my life harder. For example, they don’t accept me into their teams, so I have had to do many group projects alone. They do this so they can get better grades than I. This society is very competitive overall, and I think universities here intentionally divide students so we can’t connect and cooperate.

The relative grading system is crazy, too. You can get 100% on the midterm, attend 100% of the classes, do 100% of the homework and quizzes, but then get a 97% on the final exam and end up with a B+ for the whole course. Ewha has a lot of related grading classes compared to other universities. Sometimes, only one student in a whole class can get an A+, and if you manage to get that one A+, other students start to hate you, which is what happened in my situation.

There are also big disadvantages for international students. In theory, an ordinary international student can become an exchange student and go abroad. But in reality, once you pass all the stages, get through the visa process, prepare documents, and buy tickets, the university just stops you. (This isn’t about GKS students specifically, as we are forbidden from becoming exchange students anyway) . However, as a GKS student, I can participate in abroad school programs even during breaks, which are official summer or winter classes with credits. I was actually selected for a trip to Japan for a winter semester class, but I couldn’t go because Ewha failed to provide the necessary documents for my visa.

Finally, I have been studying here for four years, and I’ve noticed that because of inflation, prices are rising. Dormitory fees, medical insurance, transportation, and food expenses are all up, but the stipend remains the same. It is not enough to live in Seoul without a part-time job, but it is really hard to get permission from the university to work part-time.

How Do You Rate Ewha Womans University Academically and Why?

I would rate the institution a 3 out of 5. I don’t understand why professors here are so well-paid or how they got into top universities to teach. The rating system is frustrating because you cannot see your points or approximate rank until the final grade is out. You could get a 99% on an exam and still not know if you will get an A+, B0, A-, or B+.

Sometimes professors just show us YouTube tutorials instead of giving real lectures, or they use recorded lectures from previous years. Because of that, the education system feels vague, and the rating system isn't clear. Especially in architecture, where design grades are already subjective, it feels like professors just give good grades to the students they like. Most professors here don't have real-world projects, so I don't understand how they can teach us to design buildings if they haven't built anything themselves.

I think the experience at Ewha depends heavily on your major, but I wouldn't recommend studying architecture here. These four years have been really stressful, and I am glad I am just an undergraduate so I can choose a better university for my Master’s. I only stayed because of the scholarship, as GKS doesn't allow you to change universities; otherwise, I would have transferred. My friends at other universities say their experiences are similar to mine.

How Does Ewha Womans University Support International Students?

Ewha conducts job fairs for international students and has centers to help us in case our rights are violated. However, overall, I can’t say that this is very helpful. I wish they would organize more events for international students, especially for GKS students. I have heard that other universities offer classes and events exclusively for GKS scholars. At Ewha, we lack those specific opportunities, so we cannot connect and network as effectively.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean? 

Almost all of my classes were conducted in Korean. Since I had already achieved TOPIK Level 5 back then, I understood everything during my classes, so the language was not a barrier for me. We are required to take around 15 credits of mandatory English classes. However, even if a course is officially named an "English class," most professors still use Korean. Even when they do use English, it is sometimes hard to understand them due to their pronunciation.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

I believe it is much better to know Korean, even for ordinary everyday interactions, handling document-related tasks, and communicating with locals. Koreans are usually much friendlier toward foreigners who speak the language well. Furthermore, Korean professors are sometimes not fluent in English, even when the class is supposed to be taught in English. I know that in English-only tracks, such as an MBA or International Studies, many professors are native English speakers. Therefore, it is mostly difficult for students in Korean-taught degrees who are taking these specific English classes to understand the material.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

1. I had plenty of time to prepare for the scholarshipI discovered this scholarship in 2017 when I was 14, even though my earliest application deadline wasn't until Fall 2021. This gave me several years to learn an entirely new language, focus on my grades, and gradually prepare my application.
2. I had a plan and disciplineWhen I found out about the GKS, I planned every step to ensure I would be 100% prepared by the time the application opened. I calculated exactly how many books I needed to study to reach an advanced level of Korean, figured out what I needed to do to maintain top grades, and decided when to start writing my personal statement. I was very disciplined in following that plan.
3. I had outstanding numbersSelection committees don’t always have the time to read every essay or review every portfolio in depth. They often sort applicants by their "numbers" like GPA and test scores before choosing the strongest candidates from that pool. Having a perfect 100% GPA and high language scores (advanced Korean and upper-intermediate English) was a major strength. These numbers proved to the committee that I was serious about studying in Korea.
4. I genuinely needed the scholarshipI applied for the GKS because, without the scholarship and the monthly stipend, I couldn't afford higher education even in my own country, and I stated this clearly in my personal statement. I worked hard because higher education represents a significant social lift for me; it is one of the few opportunities I have to improve my life and become financially stable. I knew I didn't have a "Plan B".
5. My choices and goals were clearI have a very consistent story about why I chose Korea, why I learned the language, and why I chose Architecture. Because of this, my goals were understandable to the committee, and I didn't look like a candidate with a vague plan or a random choice of major.

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

I was so focused on simply securing the scholarship that I didn't think enough about university rankings. It is genuinely difficult for foreigners to understand the university systems, the specific rankings, or which school is best for a particular field. Now that I have friends at almost every university in Seoul, I realize I could have aimed for a higher-ranked school like SNU or Yonsei.

At the time, I was scared that if I applied only to the "Top 3" universities, I might not be accepted in the later rounds even if I won the scholarship, so I played it safe. I didn't fully realize my own potential back then. Even though Ewha is a "Top 6" university in Korea, I now know I could have applied to an even better one. I think that was my only mistake, but since I am currently an undergraduate, I can fix it by applying to a top-tier school, like Harvard, for my Master’s degree.

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

I believe that scholarships like the GKS are a massive opportunity for students from financially unstable families to study abroad and literally change their lives. The GKS allowed me to gain international experience and meet people from all over the world. Furthermore, once you receive a prestigious scholarship like this, your credibility rises significantly, which helps you throughout life, whether you are applying for a job, seeking another scholarship, or pursuing a Master’s degree.

If you want to study abroad and secure a scholarship, I encourage you to start your preparation as early as possible, organize your documents ahead of time, and create a concrete preparation plan. My advice is to think about who the "ideal candidate" would be for the committee: what kind of person are they searching for, and how does your application align with that vision. You should also imagine your potential competitors, their portfolios, and their metrics, and then think about how you can outperform them.

Overall, your application must be strong in both "numbers" (GPA, language tests, etc.) and the more creative components like your personal statement, study plan, and letters of recommendation. Having only strong numbers without quality essays, or vice versa, will likely result in a rejection. You must keep it balanced.

Be confident in your choices. Ask yourself first: Why this country? Why this major? Why this scholarship? Why this university? Not only the committee, but people around you (and even you yourself) will ask these questions again and again. It is vital to bring clarity to yourself first.

Once you get your scholarship and go abroad, don’t communicate only with people from your own country or only with other international students. Try to make friends among the locals. Attempt to integrate into their society and understand their culture and philosophy of life. Go out and participate in activities outside of your studies: join student communities, attend networking events, and enter contests! Make connections, as this experience might be much more precious than the degree itself.

The most important advice I can give is this: once you get the scholarship, do not make it your whole identity. It should be treated as only one chapter in your book, not the end of it. I have seen many people whose only dream was to get the scholarship, and once they achieved it, they lost their drive and stopped growing in life. Use the scholarship as a tool to pursue your dreams and keep moving forward, creating new goals and achieving them!