A Nepali Student Gets the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship to Pursue Her Master's in South Korea

Hello! My name is Shreya Koirala. I am 22 years old, born and raised in Nepal. I was awarded the prestigious Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a fully funded opportunity from the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Korean Ministry of Education. The scholarship covers my round-trip airfare, language training fee, full tuition, and a monthly allowance. I arrived in Korea in late August of this year. This semester, I will be completing the Korean Language Program at Ewha Womans University. Next year, I will pursue my Master’s Degree in International Relations at Ewha Graduate School of International Studies!

Global Korea Scholarship Educational Background

Born in a country sandwiched between the two superpowers, India and China, that heavily influenced Nepal’s economy, I grew up in an environment with frequent discussions about politics and global affairs. My family valued the principles and ideals associated with diplomacy, such as the ability to transcend borders and foster international collaboration. As a result, I became aware of the value of dialogue, understanding, and cooperation from a young age, drawing me to diplomacy and motivating me to pursue a career in Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With time, I wanted to learn more about diplomacy and how it has changed the course of history. I pursued my academic and professional journey with this ambition, and the idea of working in foreign affairs became more than just a distant dream—it became a driving force, shaping my goals and decisions.

Because of my burning curiosity to understand how a society's socio-economic and political aspects interacted, I joined National College, which is affiliated with Kathmandu University, to pursue a degree in social sciences. I immersed myself in disciplines ranging from economics and conflict studies to public policy, to name a few. I took these subjects with rigor and determination, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.68. Through theoretical studies and practical experience gained from field excursions, class presentations, and writing assignments, I honed my research and critical thinking skills.

During my undergraduate degree, I became particularly interested in cultural diplomacy and soft power—a field that examines the strategic use of culture, media, and education to foster understanding and cooperation among nations. Upon studying more about cultural diplomacy, South Korea was like a beacon calling my name. Today, South Korea is a cultural powerhouse of soft power projection with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant entertainment industry, and globally influential brands. From K-pop and K-dramas to innovative technology and cuisine, South Korea's cultural exports have captivated audiences around the world, shaping perceptions of the country and its people. As a citizen of a country with a diverse cultural history, I was impressed with the idea of cultural exchange as a means to transcend linguistic and ideological barriers and make an impact in the world.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for GKS Scholarships and Ewha Womans University?

My introduction to South Korea and its culture occurred in 2019 during the Youth Exchange Program (YEP) hosted by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Nepal. As one of the hosting cadets, I had close interactions with the delegates of seven Asian countries that were invited to Nepal. During a call-in session with the President of Nepal, I heard delegates talking about the then President of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak's "Global Korea" initiative, introduced in 2008, aimed at elevating South Korea's global presence by emphasizing economic diplomacy, development assistance, and cultural diplomacy, which grabbed my attention. Eager to learn more about this policy, I looked into it further as soon as I returned to Kathmandu. This exploration not only helped me better understand South Korea's policy but also piqued my interest in learning more about its development history. Over time, my fascination with South Korea led me to engage actively with both the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), strengthening my ties to this vibrant country.

I only took the IELTS test. I chose to prepare for the test myself rather than attending any preparation schools. There were so many online resources that were incredibly helpful, but these were my most used websites and YouTube channels:

IELTS Liz (For all 4 sub-sections)
IELTS-UP Online Lessons (For writing)
FasTrack IELTS (For speaking)

I prepared for around 1 month using the abovementioned websites. My IELTS results were as follows:

Overall: 7.5
Listening: 9
Reading: 7.5
Writing: 7
Speaking: 6.5

As much as I tried to be confident, I think my nerves affected my performance during the speaking test, but I am glad I managed to achieve a solid score overall.

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

Overall, I am pretty satisfied with how things turned out for me. However, if I were to go through the process again, I would tell myself to not tense up so much, especially during the speaking test for IELTS. I realized that my nerves got the best of me, and it impacted my performance.

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

I spent almost 4 years tailoring my profile to meet the scholarship requirements and stand out as a strong candidate from Nepal. Not to sound overconfident, but I knew how hard I had worked to be the best fit for this scholarship. I focused on building an impressive profile that would showcase my strengths and achievements beyond academics by engaging in various extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work related to Korea. Likewise, I spent months ensuring that my personal statement and study plan would clearly articulate my goals and passion. So, I believe they saw my dedication, skills, and potential to excel and bring value to the scholarship program which is why I got chosen. However, the application guidelines clearly state that preference is given to applicants applying for natural science and engineering departments at Regional (Type B) universities. Initially, this did worry me a bit that my chances might be lower as a non-STEM major since most Nepali students applying for the scholarship would be from a STEM major. I have been dreaming of getting this scholarship for years so that tiny bit of fear and "what-ifs" never really left me. I could finally relax when I saw my name on the final list. Actually, the first thing I did after finding out I got the scholarship was cry—tears of joy, of course! As I said before, I had spent my entire undergraduate degree juggling studies and accumulating relevant experience for this scholarship. When all three universities selected me in the third round, I felt like I was on cloud nine. It was a moment when all my years of hard work finally paid off.

If you are looking to apply for GKS or any other scholarship, my biggest advice is to start preparing as early as possible. I would recommend that prospective students begin by thoroughly researching the universities, departments, and professors you are interested in first so that you can tailor your application accordingly. If you are from a developing country like me, it can be a hassle to prepare government-related documents. So, make sure to prepare your documents well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress. I also think it is super important to at least have a basic plan for your personal statement and study plan ready early on. This can include things like what you want to mention in the essays, what approach you will be taking, and so forth. This will give you ample time to refine your ideas and align them with the scholarship's goals. Anything is achievable if you stay true to yourself and work hard. So, please believe in yourself, be proactive and organized, and work hard! Fighting