Indonesian Student Earns GKS Scholarship for Pharmaceutical Engineering in Korea

Hello! My name is Nabila, and I’m from Indonesia. I have a keen interest in science and health. Before pursuing my studies in Korea, I worked as a Research and Development Analyst at a pharmaceutical company. Through that experience, my interest in pharmaceutical product development, particularly in creating innovations that improve human quality of life, grew significantly. This passion motivated me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering at Gyeongsang National University.

In the future, I believe the demand for innovation in medicine development will only continue to grow. Choosing South Korea, a country known for its advanced research, gives me hope to be involved in conducting research on new raw materials and innovative product formulations. I am also fascinated by traditional Korean medicine and hope to explore this area further during my studies.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I was awarded Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education of South Korea.

GKS is considered one of the most prestigious and fully funded scholarships in South Korea. It covers full tuition fees, round-trip airfare, a monthly living allowance (1,000,000–1,500,000 KRW), and a one-year Korean language course if needed. Students are required to achieve at least TOPIK Level 3 or 4 before starting their degree, depending on their university and major requirements.

The scholarship is available for Associate, Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral, Research, and Exchange programs. Applicants can choose between two application tracks: the Embassy Track and the University Track. Each track has different procedures and deadlines, so it’s important to carefully review the requirements.

Educational Background

I graduated from a four-year Vocational High School program in Indonesia, majoring in Analytical Chemistry, with a GPA of 89/100.

During my time there, I was actively involved in various extracurricular activities. I served as the Coordinator of the Environmental Division in our student organization and was also elected President of the Youth Science Club.

In addition to these leadership roles, I participated in several chemistry olympiads. I won first place and was a finalist at the national and city levels of chemistry competitions.

During my final year, I completed a five-month internship at a pharmaceutical company, earning a score of 97 on my final project evaluation. After graduation, I continued working at the same company until I received my GKS acceptance.

How did you prepare to take the IELTS and TOEIC Exams?

I started by improving my English using free resources available online. Initially, I planned to take the IELTS exam, so I studied IELTS materials for three months. However, due to financial constraints, I decided to take the TOEIC test instead and scored 790 points.

Since I was preparing all the requirements on my own, I encountered some misunderstandings. For instance, I initially thought that pharmaceutical related majors were not available for GKS undergraduate applicants. I began preparing for a different major, but few days before the application deadline, I discovered that some universities offered Pharmaceutical Engineering programs. I quickly adjusted my plans, rewrote my essays, and submitted my application to Gyeongsang National University.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Global Korea Scholarships?

My motivation to pursue scholarships started when I witnessed my siblings not being able to attend university due to financial difficulties, even after one of them was accepted into one of Indonesia’s top three universities. Since then, I became determined to find opportunities abroad, despite having limited support. GKS was my top choice, and thankfully, I was accepted on my first attempt.

I prepared by watching YouTube videos shared by previous GKS scholars and reading the guidelines carefully. I made detailed checklists and started preparing documents several months before the official announcement. I also dedicated my time to crafting strong essays by reflecting on my strengths, weaknesses, and career goals.

To clarify my aspirations, I discussed them with a senior who had similar interests, and I researched role models in the same field through internet. This helped me create a clear and realistic vision for my future. In addition, reaching out to a previous GKS awardee also helped me gather valuable information about the university and the application process.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my personal statement and study plan were the strongest parts of my application. There might be people who have better achievements than I do, but their journeys might not be as unique, authentic, or challenging as mine. I openly embraced the obstacles I faced and how they shaped my academic and personal growth.

My academic background, hands on experience, and future aspirations were presented in a clear, logical narrative. In my study plan, I outlined both my short term and long term goals in detail that also aligned with GKS’s mission and showed how I planned to contribute to the field.

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

• Start learning Korean earlier

Now that I am in my first semester, with all courses taught 100% in Korean, I realize how important it would have been to start learning Korean intensively much earlier. Having stronger language skills from the beginning would have helped me adapt faster and better understand class materials.

• Start preparing sooner

I wish I had started preparing documents earlier. Preparing everything took more time than I expected, especially because I was applying for a less common major. Reviewing past year guidelines and double-checking the university's offerings for possible majors would have helped me avoid last-minute decisions.

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

• Do thorough research

Research deeply about your chosen university, major, and scholarship will help you to deliver a coherent reason, and the scholarship committees will notice that you already know a lot about them.

• Find a supportive community

The scholarship journey can be emotionally challenging. Surround yourself with supportive people who share the same aspirations. Try to connect with previous awardees or other scholarship hunters, you can learn a lot and keep your motivation strong.

• Create a good strategy

Some scholarships allow you to apply to only one university. Assess your capabilities carefully. If you have multiple target universities, rank them based on your acceptance probability and choose wisely.