The path to study abroad
As a third-world country citizen, I got many questions in this nature, "How do I get a scholarship for overseas study ?"
The path I wrote here is based on my own experience. I try to give as many tips as possible, but you have to realize the hard core fact:
"Knock, and you'll find."
in other words, nobody gets what he/she wants when they are just sitting and doing nothing.
What I did:
1. Looking for information
I started to look for information when I was in early teens, around early 90's. There was no internet at that time, so I figured the best thing was to write letters to foreign embassies. You can simply write a one-page letter telling that you're interested in studying in their country and you wondered whether they could give you some prospectus (study guide) or scholarship information.
Believe it or not, they replied my letter by sending information packages. I had at that time correspondence with the German, Dutch, and American embassies. At that time I learnt the cost, the requirements, the scholarship funding agencies.
Many people just wait for an announcement at a newspaper. Be more creative than that, be more proactive in getting an information. Many embassies actually had information they didn't disclose publicly that you might have the advantage of getting it first when you contacted them personally.
2. Prepare
I always believe that anticipation is the best strategy to get what you want. After collecting the information I got, I understood the general criteria of getting a scholarship:
- having a good GPA
- having a good command of English or the local language.
I took English and German courses in order to polish my foreign language skills. By the time I went to college, I realized that I had to make every effort in order to get a good GPA. Still, a good GPA and high TOEFL score can't guarantee a scholarship -- but at least if you still have time to prepare, try to value your study much more.
3. Consult everybody you can find
The GPA and english factors may not be as important as information. Often, the persistence of obtaining information leads to a scholarship. Don't be shy. You can ask all professors related to your desired field of postgraduate study in your university, ask them whether you could contact their former supervisors. When you read a newspaper/magazine and the person interviewed there studied at your dream university, study his/her path, send letters to them, ask them personally. Ask foreign companies which are essential to the country you're planning to go to, they often have some funds available. Contact your alumni network, don't be discouraged when one or two people are not interested in helping you.
4. Contact the professors
The path I wrote here is based on my own experience. I try to give as many tips as possible, but you have to realize the hard core fact:
"Knock, and you'll find."
in other words, nobody gets what he/she wants when they are just sitting and doing nothing.
What I did:
1. Looking for information
I started to look for information when I was in early teens, around early 90's. There was no internet at that time, so I figured the best thing was to write letters to foreign embassies. You can simply write a one-page letter telling that you're interested in studying in their country and you wondered whether they could give you some prospectus (study guide) or scholarship information.
Believe it or not, they replied my letter by sending information packages. I had at that time correspondence with the German, Dutch, and American embassies. At that time I learnt the cost, the requirements, the scholarship funding agencies.
Many people just wait for an announcement at a newspaper. Be more creative than that, be more proactive in getting an information. Many embassies actually had information they didn't disclose publicly that you might have the advantage of getting it first when you contacted them personally.
2. Prepare
I always believe that anticipation is the best strategy to get what you want. After collecting the information I got, I understood the general criteria of getting a scholarship:
- having a good GPA
- having a good command of English or the local language.
I took English and German courses in order to polish my foreign language skills. By the time I went to college, I realized that I had to make every effort in order to get a good GPA. Still, a good GPA and high TOEFL score can't guarantee a scholarship -- but at least if you still have time to prepare, try to value your study much more.
3. Consult everybody you can find
The GPA and english factors may not be as important as information. Often, the persistence of obtaining information leads to a scholarship. Don't be shy. You can ask all professors related to your desired field of postgraduate study in your university, ask them whether you could contact their former supervisors. When you read a newspaper/magazine and the person interviewed there studied at your dream university, study his/her path, send letters to them, ask them personally. Ask foreign companies which are essential to the country you're planning to go to, they often have some funds available. Contact your alumni network, don't be discouraged when one or two people are not interested in helping you.
4. Contact the professors
posted by Patricia Astrid at 6:19 AM
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