INTERVIEW (Embassy Track) | Global Korea Scholarship | A Fangirl's Heart in Korea

Summary

In this video, Ruth shares her experience as a recipient of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and offers helpful tips for those preparing for the GKS interview. Ruth discusses her passion for art, multimedia, and video production, explaining how the scholarship aligns with her aspirations to study in South Korea and eventually teach in the Philippines. She emphasizes the importance of thoroughly reading your essay, anticipating interview questions, and being confident. Ruth also reflects on the challenges of her own interview, offering encouragement and practical advice for future applicants aiming to bridge cultures and pursue their dreams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ruth is a recipient of the 2023 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) on the Embassy track and is currently attending a language program at Tongo University in South Korea.
• 😀 Ruth has a passion for arts and multimedia, which led her to pursue a degree in multimedia arts, aiming to become a professor after completing her master's.
• 😀 Ruth applied for GKS because of South Korea's influence on her work in video editing, content creation, and design, and to pursue her career goals in arts education.
• 😀 GKS offers Ruth a fully funded scholarship, allowing her to focus on her studies without worrying about finances. She plans to use saved funds to upgrade her tools for future projects.
• 😀 Ruth's ultimate goal is to create a production house in the Philippines and promote South Korea's culture through her work.
• 😀 During the interview, Ruth was nervous but managed to stay confident by relying on her knowledge of the essay she had written and her passion for the scholarship.
• 😀 Ruth emphasizes that applicants should read their essay carefully since the interview questions are based on it.
• 😀 It’s important to anticipate questions about how the scholarship will help bridge connections between your country and South Korea.
• 😀 Ruth advises expressing gratitude to interviewers by thanking them for their time and the opportunity, showing respect and appreciation.
• 😀 Being yourself during the interview, despite nerves, will help build confidence and ensure genuine responses to questions.

Q & A

What is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and why did Ruth apply for it?

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully-funded scholarship program that supports international students to study in South Korea. Ruth applied for it because she is passionate about arts, particularly in multimedia and digital media, and she sees South Korea as an ideal place to pursue her studies due to its influence in the arts and the availability of advanced academic programs in the field.

What was Ruth’s experience like during her GKS interview?

Ruth felt very nervous during her interview, struggling to organize her thoughts while answering the questions. However, despite the nervousness, she managed to answer confidently, especially knowing that she was the one who wrote her essay. Her interview was conducted by three Korean interviewers and was in English.

What tips did Ruth offer for preparing for the GKS interview?

Ruth’s main tips include: (1) Read your essay carefully since most of the questions are based on it, (2) Anticipate possible questions about how the scholarship will help you bridge your country and Korea, (3) Think about how you can give back to both Korea and your home country, (4) Be thankful for the opportunity and thank the interviewers for their time, and (5) Be yourself and stay confident.

How did Ruth describe the Global Korea Scholarship as compared to other scholarships?

Ruth considers the GKS the best scholarship for her because it offers a comprehensive package that covers all her study expenses. As someone from a modest background, she sees it as a valuable opportunity, allowing her to focus on her studies without financial worries and invest any saved money into upgrading her tools like a laptop or camera.

What were Ruth’s career goals and how does studying in South Korea align with them?

Ruth aspires to become a professor in the Philippines after completing her Master's. She believes that studying in South Korea will provide access to advanced academic programs, particularly in digital media, which is not available in the Philippines. She hopes to use her knowledge to teach and contribute to her home country.

What was Ruth’s experience with Korean culture before applying for the scholarship?

Ruth has been a fan of Korean culture for a long time, not just in terms of K-pop or K-drama but also food and the broader cultural aspects. She has joined various Korean-related organizations and participated in activities like the K Influencer Academy, where she created content related to Korea.

What was Ruth’s role in the Asan Cultural House program?

Ruth was one of the three representatives from the Philippines for the Asan Cultural House program. Her role involved creating a video promoting South Korea in the Philippines, which included learning about Korean culture through activities like cooking and exploring various places in South Korea.

Why does Ruth believe that the GKS is a valuable opportunity for her?

Ruth sees the GKS as a valuable opportunity because it is fully funded, which allows her to focus on her studies without the financial burden. Additionally, it will help her upgrade her equipment, such as a laptop and camera, for her future career. The scholarship also offers a chance to create meaningful content that promotes both South Korea and the Philippines.

How did Ruth handle her nervousness during the GKS interview?

Ruth acknowledged that she was very nervous during her interview, which affected her ability to organize her thoughts at times. Despite this, she relied on the fact that she knew the content of her essay and stayed confident in her answers. She also mentioned that the interview was in English and was conducted by three Korean interviewers.

What does Ruth plan to do if she is not accepted for the GKS this year?

If Ruth is not accepted for the GKS this year, she plans to continue working as a freelance video editor. She also intends to save more money and keep trying for the scholarship in the future. Ruth is determined and remains flexible in pursuing her goals.