How an Indonesian Student Earned the Fully Funded Global Korea Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s Degree in International Trade at Pusan National University, South Korea

My name is Ufairah. I come from a remote village in Sumatra Island, Indonesia, called Pendopo Lintang. The village has very limited transportation access and public facilities. It is an underdeveloped village surrounded by forests and plantation fields. Among my peers from the same village, I am one of the privileged kids because I moved back and forth between the Sumatra and Java Islands.

I was 9 when I moved back to my hometown, The internet was not reaching the village yet, so I felt so isolated and disconnected from the world. As I knew the world outside of the village was bigger, I became someone who craved all of the information outside of the village, thirsted for knowledge out of the classroom, and was desperate to experience the world myself. Fortunately, my family prioritizes education more than anything within the household.

Additionally, my family has been a family of traders since the time of my great-grandparents on both my mother’s and father’s sides. I am familiar with the management of a shop and pique interest in it. Moreover, when the trade war between the US and China broke out in 2018, I decided to dive into this field even further for my professional life.

Scholarship Details

I received a Global Korea Scholarship, Global Network program at Pusan National University for studying for a Master's Degree in International Trade in the GSIS Department. They covered the tuition fees, round-trip ticket from and to my country, and I received a monthly allowance of around USD$ 888.

Educational Background

I graduated with a degree in International Relations from the University of Sriwijaya, Palembang, Indonesia, with a GPA of 3.86/4.00. I specialized in International Trade Diplomacy, a concentration that combined theoretical studies on trade with practical classes like Commercial Diplomacy. This program equipped me with foundational and intermediate skills to pursue a career in this field. Additionally, I worked closely under the guidance of a lecturer who actively involved students in academic projects such as book writing, research, and social initiatives addressing global economic issues.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Pusan National University?

While preparing documents and handling technical requirements is mandatory, my top priority was finding institutions that matched my interests and offered a suitable environment. I needed to ensure that the curriculum at my target institutions aligned with my needs and expectations. This part of the scholarship preparation took a lot of time, as it involved thoroughly researching potential universities for my studies.

I gathered information through Google, official scholarship websites, and Telegram groups. Some previous scholarship recipients had joined these groups and were kind enough to answer inquiries voluntarily. The scholarship I applied for required a valid TOEFL or IELTS certificate, so I took the IELTS exam after six months of preparation.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?

I prepared the general document requirements for five different scholarships. After that, I evaluated any areas where I was lacking and worked to improve them. One of the most important aspects of applying for a scholarship is having a clear idea of what I want to pursue, what I have accomplished, and how I plan to use my studies in the future, all of which need to be clearly reflected in my essay.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I focused on clearly presenting my motivation, my background as the foundation for continuing my studies, and my future plans. I had a solid idea of my professional aspirations based on my academic background and experiences. For example, I aspire to become an expert in the field of trade, and my concentration is in International Trade Diplomacy. I also assisted in three research projects related to global economic developments. Therefore, instead of applying for a master's degree in a different field, I chose a program closely aligned with my previous studies and experience. In my view, this made my application stronger,  but ultimately, the decision rests with the scholarship committee.

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

I would approach everything the same way, but with better values, perspectives, and confidence instead of feeling anxious or unsure. However, it might have been that very sense of anxiety and uncertainty that pushed me to prepare thoroughly and ultimately helped me earn the scholarship.

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

Be resourceful by reading as much information as possible and talking to people who have received scholarships. These experiences will give you broader perspectives, helping you better understand yourself and choose the right scholarships.