M.Sc. Chemistry Student Zubaida Hassan from India Shares Her Journey of Studying at Yonsei University, South Korea

My name is Zubaida Hassan, I am 25 years old, and I’m from Mumbai, India. I have a Master’s in Chemistry, and I am currently working in Korea in a similar field. I did my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry as well, with an initial aim to work in the cosmetics industry (still one of my goals!)

Global Korea Scholarship Details

In 2021, I received the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a fully funded scholarship program offered by the Government of South Korea. Since it was fully funded, I am not aware of the amount covered; however, it covers the entire tuition fee of one year of the language program + the degree program, one round-trip airfare, and also gives you a monthly stipend.

Educational Background

I have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and my GPA is 8.96/10, while my Master’s degree GPA is 4.05/4.5. Since I had a chemistry degree, it was easy for me to get accepted into the master’s program.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Yonsei University?

How Did You Find Information About the GKS Scholarship and Yonsei University?

Google Search about Korean universities.

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

None, I did not take any tests.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the GKS Scholarship?

I prepared the basic documents using the previous year’s guidelines as a reference and then edited them when the new guidelines were released. I watched YouTube videos made by my GKS scholars from India to further prepare for the interviews.

How is (was) Your Experience at Yonsei University?

Highly recommend applying for GKS if you are an individual from a financial background who may require loans to study abroad.

How Do You Rate Yonsei University Academically and Why?

I studied at Yonsei University, and I rate it highly.

How Does Yonsei University Support International Students?

Yonsei University is one of the most foreigner-friendly universities in Korea. They even have their own English college, and the Office of International Affairs is highly efficient. As for NIIED, the scholarship issuing institution, they are good at issuing new ways to make life as a foreign student in Korea easy.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

Both English and Korean depend on the professor teaching the class.

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

Work

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Korean?

Unless you are pursuing International Relations or International Studies, everything is conducted in Korean. Furthermore, even if your studies are in English, it is very hard to find a job after graduation if you do not have at least TOPIK Level 4.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the relation of my bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as my strong SOP and Personal Essay, made my application stand out.

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

Probably accept the SNU offer instead of the Yonsei University one!

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

Prepare well. Your reason for applying to the scholarship, the country, shows that you have a genuine interest. Include your extracurricular certificates, and have a good, strong SOP and Personal Essay ready. Be confident!