Samsung Dream Scholarship and Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP) Recipient, Dr. Nishat I Mowla from Bangladesh, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master’s and PhD in Computer Science at Ewha Womans University, South Korea

I am Nishat I Mowla, and I am a Senior Researcher at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. I am originally from Bangladesh. I have a background in communications and network security with applied machine learning. I did my Master’s (in 2016) and PhD (in 2020) from Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. I am very passionate about machine learning and cybersecurity, for which I continued higher studies in the intersection of the two topics.

Samsung Dream Scholarship Details

I received the Samsung Dream Scholarship and Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP) Scholarship during my Master’s and PhD, which covered my tuition, monthly stipend, dormitory fees, and round-trip travel costs during my studies at Ewha Womans University.

Educational Background

I did my bachelor's in Computer Science from Asian Womans University (AUW) and graduated with a CGPA of 3.4 out of 4. I have, from a very young age, worked with computer software, and later my bachelor's degree gave me the required background to continue my higher studies.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Ewha Womans University?

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

I found the Master’s opportunity from my bachelor's university, as AUW has an MOU with Ewha Womans University.

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

No, at that time, I did not require such tests, as the university English competency support letter was enough.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Samsung Dream Scholarship?

I filled out the forms provided by Ewha Womans University. My bachelor's university helped in the process.

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

It became my second home, and I am very grateful for the experiences and skills that I acquired at the institution that prepared me for my later career.

How Do You Rate Ewha Womans University Academically and Why?

Ewha is a 10/10 institution as it provides a holistic atmosphere for learning and further education.

How Does Ewha Womans University Support International Students?

International students can apply for the EGPP scholarship that I received. There are also international student events organized by the international office at Ewha.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Some classes were in English and some in Korean. I have taken both. I got extra support and English lectures in the Korean courses. I also took some English courses at Yonsei University.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

I believe it becomes manageable after one or two semesters of experience.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I had relevant publications and work experience.

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

I would have enjoyed university life more.

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

Just apply to every scholarship that you can think of :) because if you don’t apply, you never know. So just apply. Start the process, and things fall in place.

It is very important to sleep and eat well when you are a student. A moderate discipline and consistency are the keys. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the process.