How a Nigerian Engineer Secured the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship for an MSc in Electrical and Information Engineering at SeoulTech

My name is Olumide Odeyemi, and I am from Nigeria. From my high school days, I have been fascinated by technology and innovations, which motivated me to major in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. During my studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, I became particularly interested in electromagnetic fields and waves, and, to a larger extent, communications engineering. This interest led me to specialize in Telecommunications in my final year of college.

To further expand my knowledge and expertise in the field of Information and Communication Engineering, I decided to apply for graduate school scholarships in developed countries. My scholarship application journey began in 2023, and in 2024, I applied for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a scholarship provided by the Korean government for students who intend to study in South Korea. Fortunately, by August 2024, I secured the prestigious GKS to pursue my Master’s degree in Electrical and Information Engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech), South Korea.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

I started my scholarship application journey in 2023, and in 2024, I was awarded both the prestigious 2024 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and the 2024 Türkiye Burslari Scholarship to pursue my graduate studies in South Korea and Turkey.

After careful consideration, I accepted the Global Korea Scholarship offer to pursue a Master’s degree in Electrical and Information Engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech), South Korea. GKS recipients who do not meet the required Korean Language Proficiency must first enroll in a Korean language school for one year, which is fully covered by the scholarship.
The GKS covers the following benefits:

• Full Tuition (for both language and graduate school studies)
• Round-trip Airfare (economy flight ticket)
• Monthly Stipend
• Insurance Fee

Educational Background

I earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, graduating with First Class Honors from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, in 2022. I was also honored as the Best Graduating Student in my department. During my undergraduate years, I was recognized as a University of Ilorin Undergraduate Scholar from 2018 to 2022, for achieving the highest CGPA in my class.

My undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Ilorin equipped me with a solid theoretical and practical foundation, which has prepared me for further studies in the field. Additionally, my interest and specialization in telecommunications engineering inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in Electrical and Information Engineering, with a focus on Wireless Communications and Networking, in South Korea—a country known for its robust technological innovations in communications and networking. Furthermore, the technical skills and exposure I gained through various internships have solidified my passion for engineering, technology, and innovation.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech)?

While applying for scholarship opportunities, I recognized the importance of standardized tests. However, due to financial constraints, I couldn’t afford the registration fees for these tests in Nigeria.

To overcome this limitation, I focused on applying for scholarships and graduate programs that did not require standardized tests and accepted an official letter (proof) of English proficiency from my undergraduate institution. Since English is the official language in Nigeria and my entire undergraduate course was taught and assessed in English, I was able to apply for most scholarships with an official proof of English proficiency from the University of Ilorin, as long as standardized tests like the GRE were not required.

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

To prepare for the scholarship application process, I:

• Attended several academic webinars focused on international scholarship applications.
• Networked with individuals who had successfully received international scholarships to learn from their experiences and seek guidance.
• Collaborated with others, both online and offline, who were also seeking scholarships, to share information and insights about the application process.
• Ensured all necessary documents for scholarship applications were prepared in advance.
• Worked on improving my writing skills to ensure I could craft compelling scholarship application essays.
• Conducted thorough research online to identify various scholarship opportunities and prepare for their applications.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Several factors contributed to the success of my application:

• I adhered strictly to all application instructions.
• I had a strong recommender who I believe submitted an excellent recommendation letter.
• I submitted other award certificates, leadership/volunteering certificates, and certificates for online courses, to strengthen my application.
• I dedicated ample time and effort to writing my scholarship essays, seeking feedback from experienced scholars to refine them

For the GKS application essays, I:

• Highlighted my strengths, such as my high GPA, class ranking, awards, and the prestige of my previous institution, to capture the reviewer’s attention.
• Avoided generic writing styles and instead shared my unique story, outlining my motivation, specific research and study plans.
• Ensured my essays answered all the question prompts in the guidelines.
• Explained why I wanted to study in Korea, what aspects of Korean culture and technology intrigued me, and how I could contribute to the relationship between Korea and Nigeria after completing my degree.

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

If I were to go through the process again, I would gather more information about the Global Korea Scholarship and its application procedures before the application period begins. This would have saved me a lot of time and stress, as I nearly missed the deadline.

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

• Engage in thorough research about the Global Korea Scholarship and universities in South Korea.
• Prepare all required documents well before the application period begins.
• Network with past and current GKS scholars to gain valuable insights about the scholarship.
• Research South Korea, explore what you love about the country, and understand why you want to study there. This will help you write an excellent personal statement.
• Finally, approach your application with intention and put forth your best effort to submit a competitive application.