Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Recipient Linet Njoki Kariuki from Kenya Shares Her Journey of Studying Economics and International Relations at Sogang University

My name is Linet Njoki Kariuki, I’m from Kenya, and I am currently studying in Seoul, South Korea. I’m a third-year undergraduate student double-majoring in Economics and International Relations at Sogang University. I have always been interested in international development, particularly in understanding why different regions of the world develop the way they do and how public policy can be used to create more equitable outcomes. This interest is what led me to study economics and international relations, as the combination allows me to analyze global issues from both an economic and political perspective. My long-term goal is to work in the public policy sector.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

In 2023, I got the Global Korea Scholarship from the National Institute of International Education(NIIED)  under the South Korean government. The program offers a full-ride scholarship that covers one year of language training, 4-5 years of undergrad tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, visa application fee exemption, and a settlement allowance.

Educational Background

I have not completed any other degree programs before I started my current degree program. I applied for the scholarship program using my grades from high school (GPA 3.96/4.3). I did one year at the University of Nairobi as a commerce major, then I decided to study abroad. That one year was very formative for me because it helped me realize that my interests were more aligned with economics and policy analysis rather than Business Administration.

How Did You Apply to Sogang University?

I found information about scholarships on Kenya’s Ministry of Education website. There is an extensive list of scholarships that Kenyan students could apply to, and the GKS scholarship was also listed. After that, I found a lot of information online about the program and how to prepare for it. I applied through the Korean embassy in Nairobi, after which I had to do an interview there, and after passing the interview, they forwarded my documents to the three universities I wanted to go to.

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

I used the guidelines from the year before to get an idea of everything I needed to do, and did a lot of the document preparation in advance before the application opened. I got my documents notarized and started working on my essays about 2-3 months before the application period to avoid submitting a rushed application. Doing that also helped me go through several drafts of my essays and really perfect them to my heart’s desire.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my application stood out because of my essays. In my essays, I was very sure about what I wanted to study, why I wanted to study it, and how I planned to use my education in the future. I showed that I was well-researched about the field and that I was serious about what I wanted to do. I did not second-guess myself or seem unsure of what I wanted to do, and I think that made the recruiters confident in me as a student.

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

I would practice answering interview questions more. Other than that, I wouldn’t change anything.

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

Start prepping your documents and essays months in advance. There is a lot to prepare, and if you’re rushing, you might miss some important details and make avoidable mistakes. Lastly, be very sure and confident in yourself and your academic and career goals.