How Sat, a Kazakh Scholar, Secured a Partially Funded Bachelor's at CUHK Through the Belt and Road Scholarship

Hi, my name is Sat. I am from Astana, Kazakhstan, and I study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). My major is the Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration, with concentrations in Finance and Big Data Marketing. I chose this field because I am good with numbers and socially active, which made business feel like the right fit for me at the time.

Belt and Road Scholarship Details

I received the Belt and Road Scholarship. The total amount is HKD 595,000 over four years of study, covering tuition and relocation costs.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I also received a merit scholarship and QF financial aid from Northwestern University in Qatar, as well as a tuition waiver from Bocconi University.

Educational Background

I studied at NIS IB Astana on a full scholarship, and my GPA was 4.9/5. My school expected students to study abroad and, based on the results of previous alumni, encouraged me to apply for scholarships. The school also provided a free IELTS exam, which I used in my applications.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)?

How Did You Find Information About Belt and Road Scholarship and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)?

My school gave me access to its alumni network, showing where graduates were studying and whether they had scholarships. I used this to build my list of universities. I learned about CUHK during a university visit to my school, where they mentioned that they actively offer merit scholarships, so I decided to apply.

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

I took the IELTS and the SAT. My SAT score was 1500 (780 Math, 720 English), and my IELTS score was 8.0.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Belt and Road Scholarship?

I simply applied to universities that I knew offered scholarships. Throughout the process, I followed each university’s instructions, whether the scholarship was merit-based or need-based.

How is Your Experience at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)?

It has been phenomenal so far. Hong Kong is a major financial hub, which has given me many opportunities related to my major. Because it is close to most countries in East and Southeast Asia, I have been able to travel to many places in the region. I have met many great local and international people. The university also offers a wide range of exchange destinations, and I am currently studying at the University of Nottingham as an exchange student.

How Do You Rate The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Academically?

The academics at my university are well structured: you clearly understand how to complete your credits and which courses to take in your chosen direction. The university also offers a good range of interesting and useful minors, and its language courses are of a high standard. The professors graduated from excellent institutions and are motivated to teach. Overall, I rate it very highly.

How Does The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Support International Students?

The university supports international students by organising events for them and by financially supporting cultural activities. I was a member of the Central Asian Association, which allowed us to organise events to help students learn more about Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Cantonese?

All of my classes were conducted in English, although some courses are offered only in Cantonese. All students are required to take two language courses, in either Mandarin or Cantonese.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was largely because I was a well-rounded applicant. Not only did I have strong scores, but I also already had work experience in my field, was the editor of my school magazine, and ran my own public-speaking club. During the interview, the university focused more on my achievements outside of academics, so I believe that made the difference in the end.

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

I would focus less on reach universities (for Kazakh students, these are usually US universities) and more on getting reliable offers in time. I received my CUHK scholarship at the very last moment, which made me worry about my future. However, I am not at all disappointed with how it turned out. On the contrary, I am very proud to have been accepted to CUHK.

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

Try to be balanced. Do not focus only on test scores (though they are very important). Try to be as well-rounded as possible so that you are a more interesting candidate for the admissions team. And do not forget to enjoy high school as well.