Global Korea Scholarship Recipient, Sema Nur Korkmaz from Türkiye, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education in South Korea

Hello, my name is Sema Nur Korkmaz. I am Turkish, and I graduated third in my department from the Early Childhood Education program at Gazi University in Turkey. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Gazi University ranked 21st worldwide in the field of Education (Early Childhood Education) and 1st nationally. I mention this because, when I applied as a GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) student, I believed that the academic reputation and success of the university I graduated from also played an important role, at least to some extent.

GKS Scholarship Details

The name of the scholarship I received is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). It is funded by the South Korean government. The total monthly scholarship amount is 1,310,000 KRW.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I did not receive another full or large-scale scholarship. However, I was awarded free access to online digital education programs in Turkey through a scholarship from the Game and Application Academy.

Educational Background

I studied Child Development in high school and Early Childhood Education at the undergraduate level. My GPA was 3.75. I also applied to a master’s program in Early Childhood Education, so I did not change my field of study. Among GKS scholarship recipients, many applicants had changed their academic field. However, I chose to continue in my area of expertise. I believe this had a positive impact on my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Chung-Ang University?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Chung-Ang University?

I had decided to continue my higher education abroad, and during that process, I came across many different scholarships. Since Korea and Japan were my main areas of interest, I followed the experiences of students who went to Korea through platforms such as YouTube and Instagram and learned which scholarships they used. YouTube, in particular, was a huge resource, and I would recommend it to everyone. I learned almost all of the information about the scholarship application process from YouTube.

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

I did not have an English proficiency score. However, I had TOPIK Level 3, the Korean language proficiency exam. I attended a Korean language course for six months, and then studied on my own for another six months. After obtaining TOPIK Level 3, I applied for the scholarship immediately.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Scholarship?

I prepared for the application process over a period of approximately three to three months. I watched videos from successful applicants on YouTube and joined Facebook groups related to the scholarship. Through these resources, I learned in detail how to complete each required document, how to prepare for interviews, how to strengthen my weak points, and how to present my strengths in a humble and effective way.

How is (was) Your Experience at Chung-Ang University? 

It has been really good. I live in Seoul, and since the university is international, it has a good understanding of how to support international students. Especially if you come through the GKS scholarship and start with the language program, the staff try to be as helpful as possible.

How Do You Rate Chung-Ang University Academically and Why?

I think it is academically strong. The university has many truly valuable and talented professors. Since my university in Turkey was also very strong, I came with a solid academic foundation. For this reason, there were times when I was reviewing concepts I had already learned. However, I have also gained a great deal of new knowledge.

How Does Chung-Ang University Support International Students?

I started with the language program, and I spent one full year in language school. During that time, they helped me with many practical matters such as opening a bank account, obtaining health insurance, and handling visa-related procedures. They were also very supportive during periods when I experienced personal difficulties. After I began my master’s program, this level of support naturally decreased. However, I will always remember the help and support I received during my time at the language school.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

My classes are 100% conducted in Korean.

What Did You Pursue After the Scholarship? 

I am still a student. After the scholarship, I would very much like to work and gain professional experience. I am also considering continuing with a PhD.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

If I speak specifically about Korea, it definitely does create difficulties. You need to know Korean at a certain level, as your assignments and exams are conducted in Korean.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My application had a well-structured storyline. There was a clearly defined problem, and I presented my own solution to that problem. This solution was not an empty promise; I included documents that demonstrated my concrete efforts to address this issue within the field of education. I also had a business plan, along with training certificates related to that plan. For the GKS application, receiving TOPIK Level 3 or higher provides additional points, and I had Level 3. I also submitted documents showing my interest in Korean culture. I had a clear and well-planned vision for the future, and I explained in detail what I planned to do after graduation. The study plan and personal statement are extremely important—far more important than exam scores. I spent a great deal of time researching how to prepare these two documents in the most effective and polished way possible. I clearly explained the contributions I plan to make both to my home country and to Korea, with strong cause-and-effect reasoning.I also learned the language and structure of interviews: how to behave, what to wear, where to look while speaking, which words could lead to rejection, and which expressions could strengthen my chances of receiving the scholarship. I did everything I could to present myself with confidence during the interview.

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

There was nothing I could have done differently. I had done my best during that process.

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

• Applying for a scholarship is all aboutstrategy. The committees evaluate applications based on a specific scoring system. Learn how this system works. If you understand what they value and how they assign points, you won’t waste energy while preparing your application.
• Instead of submitting20–30 unrelated certificates or documents, one or two courses or certificates that clearly align with your future academic and career plans will contribute much more to your application.
• Pay close attention to yourlanguage during the interview. Saying “I want to do this in the future” can actually work against you. Instead, you should say “I plan to do this in the future.” These details may seem small, but they can determine whether you receive the scholarship or are eliminated for reasons you may not even realize. I personally witnessed someone being rejected simply because she repeatedly used the word “want” and she never understood why. Details matter.
• Yourpersonal statement is where you tell your own story. It should be neither overly formal nor overly casual. Be careful with your language.
• If you identify areal problem within society and clearly explain your proposed solution, this will be a major advantage.
• When writing yourstudy plan, make sure it is well structured. Pay special attention to detailing your future plans clearly and realistically.
• And most importantly,enjoy the process. Instead of drowning in stress, remind yourself that this is a valuable and meaningful experience. When you enjoy the process, you naturally become more confident while preparing your documents and during the interview. Stress pulls you down, but enthusiasm and excitement are noticed by the interviewers and this positive energy reflects back on you. So enjoy it. Appreciate the moment.