How an Indonesian Student Secured the Fully Funded Hanyang International Scholarship and the Prestigious Brain Excellence Award for a Business Degree in South Korea

Hi, my name is Stefanie, and I’m originally from Indonesia. I’m currently a third-year student majoring in Business Administration at Hanyang University, with a focus on global marketing and supply chain management. My third year of study will be coming to a close by the end of June.

My scholastic background in high school was primarily in math and science, and I really enjoyed physics and biology. However, I changed my focus to business and social studies when I began to consider my future. This shift is based on my personal desire to learn about a more diversified and creative field where I could link ideas, solve real-world problems, and collaborate with people from various backgrounds.

I chose Hanyang University specifically due to its English-track program offerings, where I could get a worldwide-standard business degree. While it was only one of the reasons, other reasons such as Hanyang University’s vibrant international student community and support, and its healthy study-life balance are the other key factors.

So far, I’m very satisfied with my decision. I’ve learned a lot through several coursework, not just in marketing, but across various areas of business. One highlight has been participating in Hanyang’s IC-PBL classes, especially in the business school. These courses allowed me to work directly with companies on real-world projects, which has been incredibly rewarding and eye-opening.

Hanyang International Scholarship Program Details

I have been honored to receive two scholarships from Hanyang University. The first is the Hanyang International Scholarship Program, a merit-based, four-year scholarship awarded to outstanding international students. This scholarship provides a 50% to 100% tuition fee deduction, depending on the applicant’s performance in the admission evaluation process. The criteria include high school GPA, language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or TOPIK), extracurricular involvement, as well as a well-crafted study plan and motivation letter. I was selected based on a holistic assessment of my academic achievements and future potential.

The second is the Hanyang Brain Excellence Scholarship, an internal scholarship offered to the top 1% of students in each department. In the Department of Business Administration, where over 350 students are enrolled, typically only the top 1–5 students qualify. This scholarship provides a 100% tuition fee waiver for one semester and is awarded based on semester GPA, credit load, and the overall competition rate within the major. Achieving this scholarship requires maintaining a near-perfect GPA (typically 4.5/4.5), making it one of the most competitive and prestigious honors at Hanyang University. This is an additional scholarship, works for both Korean and International students, so even if you have already acquired a partial scholarship from Hanyang, if you meet the criteria, this still can be given to you accordingly.

Educational Background

I completed my high school education in a science- and mathematics-focused curriculum, where I developed a strong interest in subjects such as biology and physics. I graduated with a final-year GPA of 92.44/100 and held leadership roles for two years as a member of the student council. During my high school studies, I also obtained the first rank in class and maintained a Top 5 overall rank in the school for three consecutive years. To further strengthen my university application, I submitted various academic certificates, including a gold medal in a national biology competition. For language proficiency, I submitted an IELTS Academic score at the C1 level.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Hanyang University?

The first priority in preparing my university application was to ensure a high language proficiency score. In my case, I submitted IELTS, which played a crucial role in both the admission and scholarship evaluations. Next, I focused on creating a well-structured and specific study plan and motivation letter. I outlined my academic and extracurricular goals in detail, even specifying the university clubs and organizations I hoped to join at Hanyang; many of which I have since become involved with. This level of clarity and intentional planning helped my application stand out.

How Did You Prepare for the Standardized Test?

I prepared for the IELTS through self-study and consistent practice. Coming from a non-international school, I did not have extensive exposure to English beyond standard coursework. However, I identified speaking as one of my strengths, having participated in English speech and storytelling competitions in middle school. I focused on improving my weaker areas, especially reading, by working through practice tests and engaging with English-language academic materials. Watching English films and reading scholarly articles also significantly helped improve my listening and writing abilities.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Hanyang International Scholarship Program?

For the Hanyang International Scholarship, preparation was closely integrated with the overall application process. I concentrated on building a strong and distinctive profile—this included my academic performance, a strategic study plan, and a clear articulation of why I chose Hanyang University. For the Hanyang Brain Excellence Scholarship, my strategy focused on consistent academic performance. I maintained a full course load (minimum of 17 credits, because credit amount also counted when tiering and ranking the grades), actively participated in class, ensuring maximum effort in doing in-class projects, and also maintained a consistent study plan throughout the semester for a maximum outcome.

How Is Your Experience at Hanyang University?

My experience at Hanyang University has been both academically and personally enriching. The university offers a vibrant international community and various opportunities for global engagement. I have participated in student-led organizations, managed campus clubs, and explored coursework beyond my primary major. The IC-PBL (Industry-Coupled Problem-Based Learning) classes have been particularly impactful, as they provide students with direct industry engagement and the chance to work on real-world business projects with external companies. These experiences have significantly broadened my perspective and strengthened my practical skills.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the strength of my application lies in the clarity of my goals and the alignment between my personal aspirations and what the university offers. I demonstrated not only academic merit but also initiative, leadership experience, and time management skills. Furthermore, I showed a deep understanding of Hanyang University by specifically referencing its programs, student organizations, and institutional goals. This demonstrated genuine interest and preparedness, which are critical in a competitive application process.

What I Would Do Differently

If I were to go through the process again, I would consider obtaining a TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test) certificate to complement my English proficiency score. Additionally, I would pursue certifications from online learning platforms such as Coursera to enhance my academic profile. Lastly, I would engage more in volunteering activities to demonstrate community involvement and social responsibility, which are valuable traits for any scholarship applicant.

Advice for Future Applicants

Every university in Korea has a different scholarship structure, so it is essential to thoroughly research the scholarship policies and eligibility requirements on each university’s official website. Make sure your goals align with the university’s vision. For example, Hanyang University places a strong emphasis on fostering a global community, so applicants should highlight their interest in cross-cultural engagement and international collaboration. Additionally, submit documented evidence (certifications) of academic and extracurricular achievements to support your application. Show not only what you have done, but why you have done it, and what you plan to do next. Finally, make sure your applications are representing you and your unique personality, it does matter a huge portion of it as through drawing a colorful genuine personal interest to your academic and career, it will create a deeper emotional connection which I believe most academic institutions or even corporate companies are looking for in each candidate.