How a Tunisian Finance Student Secured the Global Korea Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Finance at Hanyang University

My name is Zeineb Ben Hamza, and I’m from Tunisia. I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Finance at Hanyang University in Seoul through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), funded by the Korean government. I speak five languages and have always been fascinated by the intersection of economics, finance, and international culture, especially Korea’s. Although I graduated with a bachelor’s in financial engineering, I realized that to truly understand the intricate world of financial markets and corporate finance, I needed a deeper academic foundation. That’s why I chose to continue my studies in Finance, with a strong interest in research and analysis.

GKS Scholarship Details

I was fortunate to be selected for the GKS Scholarship (administered by NIIED: National Institute for International Education). This fully funded opportunity covers:

Full tuition fees, one year of Korean language training, Monthly living stipend (₩1,300,000 for graduate students), Inbound airfare, Health insurance coverage

My Educational Background

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Engineering and graduated with a GPA of 3.4/4. While my GPA was solid, what truly strengthened my profile was my extracurricular activities and internships, including work with the Korean Embassy, along with other awards like Korean language speaking competition 1^st place, Korean-Arabic literature translation award 1^st place, and others.

I didn’t take exams like the GRE or IELTS. Instead, I focused on TOEIC and TOPIK, and used free online resources to prepare. I also benefited from guidance and tips from past GKS recipients in Tunisia, who shared their experience with me.

To improve my Korean proficiency, I relied on self-study through online materials and consistent practice, which helped me reach an advanced level before arriving in Korea.

My application process involved in-depth research using the official GKS guidelines, as well as asking previous awardees for feedback. I was especially mindful when writing my personal statement and study plan, which are among the most critical components of the application. I spent a lot of time tailoring these documents to reflect my passion for finance, my academic ambitions, and my deep interest in Korean culture.

I believe what truly distinguished my application was the balance between academics and extracurriculars in relation to Korea. Beyond my field of study, I was deeply involved in cultural initiatives related to Korea. Combined with my strong language proficiency in five languages, including advanced Korean, I was able to present myself as a candidate with a clear academic vision and cultural adaptability.

Would I Do Anything Differently?

no.

My Advice to Future Applicants

• Be meticulous: Read the guidelines carefully and follow them exactly.
• Craft your story well: Invest real effort in your personal statement and study plan, and demonstrate who you are: Let your passion, clarity of goals, and motivation shine through.
• Take language exams if possible
• Reach out to past scholars