A very real scholarship application journey, Pt.2

I am writing this draft on 25 April 2026. I had interview with the university professors on 23 April, and here is what they were asking me.

I am applying for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026 through the University Track right now. I chose the R-GKS track because out of all universities available for this year’s GKS, this particular major that I applied to is the most suitable for my background and future plan.

First of all, let me explain the process prior to the interview.

The Office of International Affairs sent a confirmation email once my application document arrived. It was back in mid March. Then early April, they sent another email informing that the interview will be conducted by the department and the approximate result date.

About a week later, I received an interview invitation email from the department, as well as the interview details. It would be through Zoom, I had to confirm that I would attend the scheduled date, and they also informed the date of the result would be out. The university would email the applicant whether they pass this 1st round. Some other universities put the list of applicants who passed the 1st round on their websites, so it is different for each university.

I am still waiting for the result (I am feeling like I’ve just been on a breakup and 5 stages of grief within these 48 hours). Wish me luck for this guys!

The interview stages.

I went to the Zoom waiting room at 7 past 10-ish Indonesia time. There would be 3 applicants who would be interviewed that day, and we might be the only 3 who applied for the department. I went first.

There were 3 professors, which looks very friendly (like other Tourism professors that I’ve met during my undergrad). Yes, I applied for the Tourism field. I would say they were very hospitable (but still got me nervous).

Here is the question list:

1. Why did you choose our university?
2. Are you aware of the academic system in South Korea?
3. Have you visited South Korea? (Yes) How was the experience?
4. What is sustainable tourism?
5. (they explained something and asked in Korean) How is your Korean skills?
6. Are you in good health?

I would describe the interview vibes as quite chill and the questions were not as frightening as I thought, at least in my case, they were quite general. I pretty much answer all questions. Except introduction. Lol.

Yes, a mistake. Due to my high tensions. But again, I felt like I’ve answered all the questions and hit the main idea. I’ll leave for God to do His things. If this is meant for me, it will be for me.

I practiced the interview with GPT. And these AI things threw research-oriented questions, which in all practice sessions, I had to stop for a moment to think and question my essays. It was that hard practicing with GPT.

Besides GPT, I also practiced with a colleague in March during my application through the embassy track. Through this sesh, I wrote some notes and concepts which I used for my university track interview. I would say practicing with a human worked more for me because AI usually searches for perfection. I got a lot of feedback from this acquintances that helps.

A little review for me is that, yes, I should’ve done a short introduction. You know, I did my part, and there is no more I can do. I’ll wait for the result to come, and will update the result here.

It's been a long run. I wrote my essays around October/November last year. Finalizing it for the embassy track in February. Got another finalization for the university track in March. I got a few days to relax my mind. Whatever the result will be, I hope it will be the best and a sakses one for me.

— — — (May 2026) I passed the 1st round!! I can only wait for the final result by NIIED!! Wish me luck guys~