A very real scholarship application journey (no msg added)

(November 2024) I was on my last day in Seoul. Slightly tipsy, waiting for my laundry to finish, scrolling through Instagram. Then, a post about a scholarship application opening popped up.

I had just finished a trip that made me so excited about the idea of living abroad. I was pumped. Riding that post-travel high, I applied without thinking too much on the very first day I returned.

(February 2025) Fast forward to my first scholarship interview. It went bad. Like… really bad. I messed it up. Still, I hoped, maybe my name would somehow appear on the acceptance list.

A month later, the result came out. The scholarship was cancelled. Applicants who were still interested were advised to reapply through another government-funded scheme.

I didn’t.

Instead, I started looking for other scholarships.

Below is my step-by-step journey, exactly as it happened: delays, doubts, and all.

Step 1: Read the Requirements (Seriously, Every Line)

This journey officially started in January 2025 during the waiting time for my first-ever scholarship application.

I translated my civil documents and notarized both my graduation certificate and academic transcript. At the same time, I was rethinking my study purpose, trying to clearly identify the problem I actually wanted to study. I was not ready.

I didn’t have a proper study plan. My personal statement wasn’t even drafted. And I kept postponing contacting my university lecturers for recommendation letters.

Classic self-doubt behavior. So yes, that opportunity eventually passed. But I still got my documents translated and notarized.

Step 2: Language Certificates (Requalifying Myself)

All my language certificates had expired years ago. I had to start from zero.

Korean Language — TOPIK

Around June 2025, I applied for the Korean Proficiency Test (TOPIK). I chose TOPIK I because it was realistic.

I knew myself that if I target TOPIK II Level 3, I would not have enough preparation and I could already predict the result.

The test was held in October 2025. I prepared independently using online materials and mock tests from the official TOPIK website.

English Language — IELTS

After TOPIK, I set a new goal: an English proficiency test. TOEFL ITP was no longer accepted in the program I wanted to apply, so IELTS became my only option.

For reference:

• My last TOEFL ITP score (December 2024) was around 590
• British Council online assessment placed me at C1

So I felt confident that IELTS 6.0 minimum was achievable.

In late October 2025, after the TOPIK test, I started studying with the Cambridge IELTS 17 book. Listening and Reading were fine. Writing was my weakest point. Speaking made me question myself.

During COVID, I once took an IELTS prediction test and got an overall 7 — but back then, I worked in an English-speaking job. At this stage of my life, English wasn’t part of my daily routine anymore. That was the challenge and huge difference.

To face reality, I took another prediction test. Results? Writing: 5.5, Speaking: 6

So I adjusted my strategy.

I “gave up” enhancing my writing score and focused more on improving Speaking, enrolling in a speaking course in December 2025. I still practiced Writing once or twice a week, reviewed my answers on Engnovate, and studied from IELTS Advantage on YouTube, but I kept my expectations realistic.

Let’s be honest: Expecting Writing 7 with only two months of preparation wasn’t logical. My realistic goal was 6–6.5. All of the scholarship programs I wanted to apply to required a minimum of 5.5 to 6.5 on all skills.

Study Materials I Used

• Cambridge IELTS (17–20)
• Barron’s IELTS
• IELTS Advantage (YouTube)
• Engnovate (Writing & Speaking feedback)
• Gemini & GPT (brainstorming and essay review)

I took computer-based IELTS in late January 2026. The result came out the next day.

If I may give some advice, please have breakfast, bring water, don’t carry stress into the room. Datang, kerjakan, lupakan < this mindset worked best for me.

The result surprised me in a good way. I achieved my target, with no band score below 6.5, after around three months of inconsistent preparation.

Knowing your actual starting point before a language test is crucial. It tells you where to focus and put your energy.

Step 3: Recommendation Letter (My Biggest Hurdle)

Timeline: February 2026

I studied in Yogyakarta, about 2 hours by flight and more than 2,000 km from where I live now.

When I contacted my academic advisor in October and November 2025, I got no reply.

That silence made me question everything: Should I apply again? Or should I let another year pass?

Then, oddly enough, motivation came from a place I didn’t expect: a “childhood rival” who just earned a graduate degree.

My inner child cried. Then I sent another message to a different lecturer. This time, I got a reply.

Plot twist: the scholarship announcement came out on the exact same day I contacted my lecturer.

I also received incredible help from close friends during the recommendation process. I’m deeply grateful for them, for their help, their reminders, and their prayers.

Note for anyone reading this: Just send the message. Try. How will you ever get a recommendation letter if you never ask?

Step 4: Legal Documents

Because I had already translated my family registration card and legalized my academic documents in 2025, I could proceed with the apostille in 2026 after receiving confirmation for my signed recommendation letter.

I am preparing for the Global Korea Scholarship 2026 Embassy Track and plan to take another chance in the University Track (if the Embassy Track fails). I finally applied for the Embassy Track, hit the blue “Submit” button on 20 February 2026 night.