B.A. Economics Student Minh Quang from Vietnam Shares His Journey of Studying at Yonsei University, South Korea

I’m Minh Quang. I grew up in Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, and was fortunate enough to have decent exposure to English ever since being a child. At the end of High School, English is all I have: a decent IELTS (8.5) and a decent SAT (1540). However, they were not nearly enough to land me in a reputable university; I knew that, in order to get into one, you must prove your maturity journey, whether through extracurricular activities, or volunteering/internship experiences.

That's why, in my senior year in high school, I started drafting up a full, comprehensive list of every notable achievement I have ever had in my life. It’s as if writing a bildungsroman, though not with any fairy tales you imagine up, but actual memories you recall.

I am currently enrolling in the Economics Program at Yonsei University, Underwood International College. It’s not just about rationalizing why people make the choices; it’s about understanding the underlying dynamic at play in our society, analyzing complex graphs, and computing statistics. While I’m 90% sure that my future degree will have nothing to do with my future career, I do believe in the skillset and the lessons that I have learnt and will learn in this journey.

Yonsei University UIC Admission Scholarship Details

The Yonsei University UIC Admission Scholarship lasts for eight semesters (or four years) at UIC Yonsei. Applicants to the school are automatically considered for the scholarship, which saves quite a headache for students who were just as confused as me when I first applied for universities abroad. It is a 100% tuition fee waiver, so what’s left for recipients are just dorm fees and living fees.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I also got a 100% scholarship at Aalto University (Finland) and an 80% scholarship at VinUniversity (Vietnam). Though Korea is my final choice.

Educational Background

I graduated from HNUE High School for the Gifted as a student in the English specialization class. English is not, however, my whole life. I pride myself on being one of the students with the highest GPA in arithmetic in my class, averaging a perfect 10.0 in three years. As a Freshman, I’m not entirely sure whether mathematics is pivotal to my field of education (Economics), but I do believe it trained my sharpness in analyzing problems and deducing possible solutions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Yonsei University?

How Did You Find Information About Yonsei University UIC Admission Scholarship and Institutions?

They are all on Yonsei UIC’s website, which is very helpful of the school.

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

I took the SAT and IELTS (as mentioned above). For IELTS, it’s crucial that you write as many essays as possible to familiarize yourself with the pacing and the vocabulary. This is a tip that I followed through on and one that truly helped me achieve such a respectable score. For the SAT, I have no advice for incoming students. Hard work will pay off, that’s all I can say.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Yonsei University UIC Admission Scholarship? 

The Scholarship is not always given to the best students; it's given to the most suitable. Learn the University’s goals and align yourself with them. Show the board how you have grown through your experiences, and how you will be able to capitalize on studying and growing in an international environment. Once you show your potential, it’s a matter of time till the acceptance letter rolls in.

How is (was) Your Experience at Yonsei University?

It used to be a bit overwhelming, but I have gotten used to it. While some classes are not excellent, the Professors are generally supportive and will guide you through most problems you face as a Freshman. Free 1-1 mentor and psychologist talks are offered as well.

How Does Yonsei University Support International Students?

I would say 7/10. The University does try, but Korean is still the prevailing language in most practices around the campus. Unless you have someone to guide you, not knowing Korean will definitely be a huge disadvantage, as many facilities are only open to students who understand the Korean language.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Mostly English, as it is an international school.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Probably the fact that I have transparently mapped out what I would like to do in the future, despite the school being a Liberal Arts College, meaning it encourages students to explore different career possibilities.

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

Don’t fear that you won’t make it. You stand to lose nothing! Apply, practice, practice, and practice. Hard work will be noticed.