GKS-Undergraduate Scholarship Scholar Ngan Nguyen Thi Kim from Vietnam Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Bachelor's at the Silla University, South Korea

My name is Ngan Nguyen Thi Kim, and I’m from Vietnam. I received the GKS-Undergraduate Scholarship in 2020, which opened so many doors for me. Currently, I’m pursuing my master’s degree in Erasmus Mundus Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Belgium with an EU-funded scholarship.

My application journey was a little different from most. Right after graduating from high school, I went to Korea to attend a Korean language school. I always wanted to study abroad, but I never imagined applying for a scholarship. I honestly didn’t think I could get one. So, I never researched major scholarships, especially those offered by the government. Things changed after I completed my first year of language school and achieved TOPIK Level 4. Around that time, a friend encouraged me to apply for the GKS program. I decided to give it a try, with only about four months left before the application deadline. I spent those months preparing, taking the TOEIC test, and gathering all the required documents.

Erasmus Mundus Master and GKS Scholarships Details

I received the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a fully funded program supported by the Korean government. The scholarship covered my full tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and one year of Korean language training.

At that time, Silla University also provided free dormitory accommodation during the semesters for GKS scholars, which helped me save money and reinvest it into my education and personal development.

Educational Background

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Advanced Materials Engineering from Silla University in Busan, graduating with a GPA of 4.29/4.5. I chose this major because I have always been fascinated by how technological progress depends on our understanding and design of materials. After coming to Korea, I also developed a deeper understanding of the Korean semiconductor industry, which further motivated me to study materials, especially semiconductors.

During my studies, I gained research experience in thin film deposition using Physical Vapor Deposition and Chemical Vapor Deposition, as well as in thin film characterization. These experiences strengthened both my theoretical knowledge and practical skills and prepared me for further study in nanotechnology.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to KU Leuven and Silla University?

I applied through the university track because I was already in Korea, and it was not realistic for me to return to Vietnam to apply through the embassy track. I chose Silla University and contacted the person in charge of the application directly using the email address listed in the university information file on the Study in Korea website.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Master and GKS Scholarships?

I was fortunate to have a friend who encouraged me to apply for the scholarship. At the same time, I’m proud that I was able to overcome my self-doubt and do everything I could to prepare a strong application. I searched online for guidance and focused on building solid academic documents, including my English test certificate, personal statement, and recommendation letters.

Since I only had four months, I chose TOEIC instead of IELTS because it was easier to prepare for and is also widely recognized in South Korea. I did not take the SAT or GRE for GKS.

In high school, I was not among the top 5% students. As I mentioned, I had never seriously considered applying for scholarships before, so I was not always aiming for the highest scores. Still, I genuinely enjoyed learning and always tried to stay future-oriented, which helped me achieve a solid GPA of 87/100.

When writing my personal statement, I focused on being clear and concise while sharing experiences that could not be shown through certificates or transcripts alone. I also emphasized my long-term goal of growing as a woman in tech. In addition, I made sure that all required documents were carefully prepared and submitted on time.

As I was choosing universities, I also realized that my academic foundation might not have been strong enough for very highly ranked schools. So, I made a strategic decision to apply to a more realistic option in order to increase my chances of receiving the scholarship. This is something many people do not openly talk about, but I believe it is an important and practical part of any scholarship application. It is good to dream, but in the end, strategy and readiness matter too.

How is Your Experience at KU Leuven and Silla University?

In general, I would say the environment was not highly competitive. However, I was able to build good relationships with my professors, which gave me the opportunity to begin research in thin films as early as my second semester of freshman year. I explored different topics and worked with a range of laboratory equipment. I also attended one international conference and two domestic conferences. I believe these experiences became a strong point in my profile when I applied for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship in 2025. No matter where you are, it is always important to actively seek opportunities and make the most of them.

How Do KU Leuven and Silla University Support International Students?

The university provides fast administrative guidance and general support to help international students adapt to both academic and daily life in Korea.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

All my undergraduate courses were conducted in Korean, which makes the language training phase essential for academic success.

What Did You Pursue After the Erasmus Mundus Master's and GKS Scholarships?

After completing my degree, I continued working in research and applied for master's programs in materials science and nanoscience. I have since secured a fully funded Erasmus Mundus Master scholarship in Europe.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Korean?

I would say that even if the program is fully taught in English, it is still helpful to know some Korean for daily life. Not knowing Korean at all can limit your access to certain opportunities or programs that require Korean language skills. It is important to take the language learning phase seriously and build a strong foundation early on.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe that emphasizing how I overcame challenges with a growth mindset and persistence in my personal statements helped my application stand out, beyond just having a strong GPA and good language skills.

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

I don’t think I would have done anything different overall. However, I do wish that I had trusted myself more to actively search for scholarship opportunities and to prepare for the applications earlier.

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

Keep a decent GPA, even in the subjects you enjoy the least. Use any extra time before the application deadline to get involved in meaningful activities.

Stop overthinking and doubting yourself. All you need to do is decide which scholarships to aim for, plan step-by-step how to achieve that goal, and then follow through one step at a time.

Actively look for blogs and advice online and consider reaching out to people who have already received scholarships to ask for guidance. Listen to others but also trust your own judgment. Everyone has a different background, story, and mindset, and what works for them may not work for you. Your personal statement is meant to reflect your unique experiences and strengths, show who you truly are and what you are capable of.