POSCO Asia Fellow, Tria Asri Widowati from Indonesia, Completed a Master’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

My name is Tria Asri Widowati (Tria), and I’m from Indonesia. I recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Daejeon, South Korea. During my studies, I worked in a lab focusing on RNA engineering. I have always been fascinated by biomolecular and genetic research, which motivated me to pursue further studies in this field.

POSCO Asia Fellowship Details

I received the POSCO Asia Fellowship, a scholarship program provided by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, which is supported by POSCO, a major steel company in Korea. This scholarship supports students from across Asia who wish to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees in STEM fields at top universities in Korea. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend (1,000,000 KRW) for 22 months, and also provides free Korean language courses.

Educational Background

I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Universitas Indonesia. My undergraduate research project was related to genetics and biomolecular studies, which strengthened my interest in this field. After graduation, I worked as a research assistant, where I gained extensive laboratory and research experience. These experiences helped build a strong foundation that prepared me to pursue graduate studies in biomolecular engineering.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to KAIST?

How Did You Find Information About the POSCO Asia Fellowship and KAIST?

I have always been interested in studying in Korea, and since the country is well known for its strong STEM research environment, I was very motivated to apply. I explored many scholarship opportunities and spent time reading blogs and watching YouTube videos from previous scholarship recipients in Korea. That’s how I eventually found information about the POSCO Asia Fellowship online.

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

Yes, I took the TOEFL since it was a requirement for KAIST. To prepare, I practiced using sample questions and studied through YouTube videos that helped improve my listening, reading, and speaking skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the POSCO Asia Fellowship?

As mentioned earlier, I learned a lot from blogs and YouTube videos made by previous scholarship recipients in Korea. I focused on improving my essay writing, particularly my motivation letter and statement of purpose, since these documents play an important role during the selection process. I also asked friends to review and give feedback on my essays to make them stronger and clearer.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Classes at KAIST are conducted in English, and the university provides a very international and student-friendly environment.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I clearly explained why I should be selected, emphasizing my academic background, research experience, and future research goals. I also highlighted the impact I aim to bring to Indonesia after completing my degree, which I believe resonated well with the scholarship’s mission.

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

For the POSCO Asia Fellowship, I received the scholarship offer first and then had to secure admission to a university. If I failed to gain admission, the scholarship would be withdrawn. Looking back, I wish I had contacted potential professors earlier, as that step is crucial for securing a university placement.

It actually took quite some time to find a professor who was willing to accept me into their lab. It was quite a nerve-racking period because I was worried that if I couldn’t secure a lab position in time, my scholarship would go to waste. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end.

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

Choose a research topic you are genuinely passionate about, so you’ll enjoy writing your essays and feel excited when discussing it during interviews, whether with the scholarship committee or professors. Also, don’t forget to plan what you want to do after graduation and think about how you can contribute back to your home country with the knowledge and experience you gain.

If you’re interested in a certain field but feel that you don’t yet have enough experience, try to intern at a lab or company in your home country that works on a related topic. It will help you build your skills and strengthen your background, and you might also be able to get a strong recommendation letter from your supervisor there.