Interview: Study KGSP Scholarship Program in South Korea

Full scholarship to study in Korea?Sounds like a dream!But no, it really exists and is achievable in order.This dream is calledKGSP - Korean Government Scholarship Program .Valeria Kaptseva, who received it in 2014 and has just graduated, told us about the process of applying for it and studying in Korea.

Hi, Lera!How did you decide to apply for KGSP?

I learned about this program long before my bachelor's degree, but at first I did not consider it seriously, as I was aiming for an MBA.But MBA costs exorbitant money, and the quality of study is not guaranteed, so I decided to try applying for a scholarship program in Korea.I already had an interest in the culture of the country, and a professional interest too - at that time I worked in a cosmetics company in Russia, and as you know, the cosmetics industry is very developed in Korea.

Tell me, what does the Korean side provide under the terms of the scholarship?

First, the host provides full tuition fees, which is 2 years of master's degree or 3 years of doctoral studies.Plus she pays for 1 year of Korean language courses.For the entire period of study, a monthly stipend of 900,000 won (approximately $ 800) is provided, and if you have a Korean level 5 or higher, then an additional 100,000 won per month is provided in addition to the scholarship.Paid for the flight from the country of experience and from Korea back at the end of the training (only 1 time), medical insurance.Upon arrival, a small amount is given for the arrangement, and each semester is additionally transferred money for research in studies.This amount, depending on the specialty, reaches 300,000 won.Plus the Korean side is paid for printing the graduation work.
True, there are pitfalls here - every year some items appear and disappear from the list of bonuses, so it is better to check them every year in the guide toprogram.So, for example, last year there was a clause for which you will be paid 100,000 won if you return to your homeland after graduation.

What is the application process for the program?

The feeding process is standard.The ad for the program appears in the winter, usually in late January - early February.Next - download the guide on submitting documents on the website, where everything is detailed in English and Korean and forward Collect all the documents, write a motivation letter, curriculum, receive letters of recommendation from professors, send all this to the embassy or university and you just have to wait...

So you can apply either through the embassy or through the university?

Yes, there are two ways to submit documents.
The first is the embassy.Plus, submitting documents through the embassy - you choose 3 universities for submitting documents.That is, if you are undecided about the university, then feel free to apply through the embassy.
The second is directly through the university.You send your documents directly to the university.You can only choose one institution to apply.If you apply for a few, and the program learns about it, then you will be excluded from the competition.
I would advise you to do so if you have acquaintances of professors at the chosen university and in the department you are interested in, who can give you a letter of recommendation and advise you on admission to the university.

How is the selection process?

There are several rounds in the selection.If you applied through the Korean Embassy, ​​then first they look at the documents at the embassy, ​​conduct an interview in English or Korean, then the results of the first round of selection come out.Then the second round of selection of the program at universities takes place.Since documents are submitted to three universities, you must receive confirmation from at least one university that you are enrolled.If you receive it,then we can say that you have almost passed.Then you just have to undergo a medical examination and wait for a ticket to Korea and visa documents.
If you applied through a university, then you need to wait until the university contacts you for an interview, and then wait for the results of the second round selection.
Which way is easier to serve and which one guarantees 100% result?Nobody knows about it.Only the inspectors themselves.

You said that interviews can be done in English or Korean.So you don't need to know Korean?

Optional.But if you don’t know Korean, then it’s better to know good English for applying.But for everyone it remains a mystery by what criterion people are selected for the program.Although the guide says that knowledge of Korean is an advantage, many applicants with honors and fluency in Korean cannot enter the program.

Where did you end up in school?

I went to Hongik University, recently successfully graduated from it and received a Master of Business Administration.It was cool!

I have no doubt!That is, everything turned out as you expected?

Before applying, I went to Korea to see if this country is generally suitable for me.I studied it for a long time before moving to avoid incidents.So we can say that before moving, I already knew what to expect and where.But, of course, the difference in mentality is very big, just huge.So get ready!