How Soatoavina Hasinkarena, a Malagasy Scholar, Secured a Master’s in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas, United States Through the Fulbright Scholarship

Salama!

My name is Soatoavina Hasinkarena. I’m from Madagascar, where I was born, raised, and earned my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, graduating as valedictorian.

I’m currently a Fulbright scholar pursuing my master’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Kansas. Before coming to the U.S., I worked for nearly four years as a Process Engineer on a mining project in Madagascar.

I’ve always had an engineering mindset, largely influenced by my father, who built his career in aircraft mechanical engineering. Growing up around that environment made me naturally curious and drawn to understanding how things work, solving problems, and finding practical solutions. For me, there’s something especially satisfying about seeing an idea go from a problem to something you can actually design and make it come to life.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Fulbright Scholarship is my first international scholarship, and I was fortunate enough to get it on the first attempt.

Educational Background

The education system in Madagascar uses a different grading scale. I graduated as valedictorian with a “Très Bien” distinction, equivalent to the highest honors category, with an overall grade of 18/20, roughly equivalent to an A on the U.S. grading scale.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

How Did You Find Information About Fulbright Scholarship and University of Kansas?

I found it through the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar’s social media, where other students shared their experiences.

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

I was required to take the TOEFL and GRE. I prepared by practicing mock tests consistently at least once a week, starting about a month in advance, and using online resources like YouTube and other websites.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship?

I prepared by getting as much information as possible and as I can, setting clear goals, and planning all the details, like my university of choice and subject of interest, before applying. Preparation is key and will automatically give you confidence.

How is Your Experience at the University of Kansas?

My experience has been very positive so far. As a Fulbright scholar, part of my mission is to promote cultural exchange, so I make a point of engaging with local and international students as much as I can. I learn from their experiences and perspectives while also sharing my culture and my own perspective on different aspects. I see this as an opportunity to gain knowledge and experiences that I can bring back to Madagascar and use to contribute to its development.

How Do You Rate the University of Kansas Academically and Why? 

I would rate the University of Kansas highly academically, especially based on my experience in my own department. KU has a strong research environment in general, and I’ve been exposed to some really interesting and innovative areas that are still quite niche. Some of the courses I’ve taken are offered by only a limited number of universities in the U.S., which I find valuable because they expose me to topics that are not widely available. At the same time, the professors are supportive and genuinely want to see their students succeed. Overall, I feel that KU has given me the opportunity to learn about specialized and practical topics while also building knowledge that I can apply to my career back home.

How Does the University of Kansas Support International Students?

The University of Kansas has a really strong international community, and I’ve been very happy with the support for international students. A special shout-out to the international student support team, especially during orientation. They gave us all the tools, resources, and information we needed to get started and continue to support us through different events and activities. You can really feel that they want international Jayhawks to succeed. I honestly feel very grateful to be part of this institution.

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright Scholarship? (Work, Further Study, Research or Something Else?)

I am not yet at that stage, but I am actually planning to work and go back into the industry.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I would say my industry experience. Having several years of engineering experience before applying gave me a practical perspective and a clear understanding of what I wanted to gain from the program.

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

I would have started the process earlier, although I also needed time to build the industry experience that shaped my goals. So it’s a bit of a trade-off.

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

Get to know yourself and be clear about your goals. Once you know what you want and why you want it, everything else starts to fall into place. Get inspired and then use your experience to inspire others.