I Chased a Dream - My Journey to becoming a Scholar in South Korea

Hello Everyone!

I just want to share my journey as a 2020 GKS Scholar.

It all started with a dream to pursue graduate studies related to my passion. I told my 27-year-old self: I want to be more in order to do more and help more. If I become capable, I can serve the people and most importantly, God. My passion is about protecting and sustaining our environment. While having that passion, I doubted myself and thought that I was old for this and maybe I can't do it. I asked myself, "Can I do it?" , "Do I have the means to push through it?" but, a quote struck me -  If not now, when? whoa! that was really moving, convincing... I then became more eager to materialize the plan that the Lord planted so deep in my heart - that I should pursue this dream and become an Environmental Warrior He wanted me to be. 

1. The Treasure Hunt $$$

Since I have decided to pursue graduate studies related to the environment but realized that I do not have the means (meaning money 😂) to do so, I searched all day and night on Google for Fully Funded Scholarships... After several decades of searching, I finally found two (2) generous scholarships: MEXT (Monbukagusho) Scholarship and GKS (Global Korea Scholarship). I called it the treasure hunt since these are FULLY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS. 🤑

2. The Preparation

Found it! What's next? Oh, taxing preparation.

I finally decided to choose GKS over MEXT because GKS is the same year application-same year take-off scholarship while MEXT will have you wait for a year before you can finally go and study in Japan (long-waiting period).

You know, you need to put in a lot of effort. This shows how badly you want this scholarship to change your life for the better. How bad do you want this? Oh, I wanted it as much as I wanted to breathe.

Effort, yes, that is right. But oh no?! it is already three (3) weeks before the deadline and you have work. Can I still do it? to cut the story short, I sacrificed a lot, especially sleep. I juggle work, my sideline, and this application preparation. #ExtraExtraEffort needed.

3. The Three (3) Phases of Waiting

Phase 1. Am I waiting in vain? I sent the documents to the University but I got no response for several days yet. If I didn't receive notice that they received it, I may be disqualified because the deadline is very near. Hey courier, please deliver soonest.

After 3 days, my documents finally arrived to South Korea! I emailed them and they verified that my docs arrived safely and now for evaluation.

The university will conduct document evaluation first and you will receive an email invitation for interview if you have passed the initial screening. . .

On the day of the scheduled selection, me: 😑😒😓😔😢😭😭😭. NO EMAIL YET~ "the date is today I'm sure, they'll announce!" 

Me again: *keeps checking the time... Korean Time vs Philippine Time* Started to lose hope, discouraged... *ting* notification. . . . .  GMAIL. Tadah! "Meanwhile, we are planning to conduct a Skype video interview for selecting GKS 2020 scholar. Please tell me your Skype ID, contact phone number, and available time."

Oh My Gosh! The time (PST) I received the email was 6:36pm while the time of Gmail that they sent was 4:30pm (KST). Delayed. hahaha. Only the selected applicants will receive email and move on to the next selection phase - INTERVIEW!

Phase 2. Interview. Oh, this will be via Skype and it was my first time installing it. haha. Then, I decided to take the interview at 11:00AM (KST) which means 9:00AM (PST) hahaha. To tell you, I have work on that day! I just asked permission if I could go outside for a few minutes.

*Ring...* *Ring...* Skype mode on. (I guess I was the very first interviewee on the list since I've chosen the first time slot haha) *nervous!!!*

"Annyeong Haseyo, Jeonun Hazelieyo! blah...blah..." and then the internet connection became weak that the call stopped. OMG. I was lost in the momentum. They tried calling me back. I thought they wouldn't call me back! I cried in the hotel room after the interview because I was not satisfied with my performance. As in, I probably looked like a crazy woman crying in the hallway where there is CCTV on every corner. But still, thank God I survived.

Phase 3. Announcement of 2nd Round Results (Passers). I never ever expect to be listed. I felt very down. I didn't talk with my colleagues after that interview up to the day of the announcement. . . 

The 2nd Round Results was scheduled to be announced on May 8,2020 but was postponed. The results came out on May 28, 2020!!! Imagine the feeling of intense waiting - cannot sleep, cannot focus. Every day you're still thinking if you get selected or not - please announce immediately so that I can move on!

But God makes way. He surprised me, again! It is not by my own strength that made it happen, but it is God's. He definitely gave me this dream I've been hoping for! - Saw my name on the list, #35 out of 35! hahaha😂😂😂. Another reason for me to panic or worry. Why?! because I do not know why my name was placed at the bottom part (it was not listed alphabetically). Since I passed the 2nd round but my name was at the bottom, I decided not to take my hopes high. Do not expect much so that you won't get hurt. lol. 

The school recommended 35 of us at that university. These will further be screened by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). So, my fate lies in NIIED.

4. FINAL ROUND SELECTION OF 2020 GKS SCHOLARS

The announcement which was scheduled on June 26, 2020, was postponed. Hahaha. We had a mini-heart attack. All of us who applied have this agony extended. Imagine, the 2nd Round Results and the Final Round Results were always postponed. Can you sleep peacefully? 😂

June 29, 2020 - GKS Final Round Successful Candidates were posted. I thought it would be postponed again because the results came out at 6:06 PM (PST).

Again, I was at work at that time. I was very busy with rapid testing activities. I said to myself I will check the results later, but no, all the scholars around the world are sending screenshots and pdf of the result. I was tempted to look immediately so I just glanced.

At first glance, my name was not there. I felt down. I felt sad. I said to myself "better luck next time, I will still continue to apply...". Then I tried to calm myself so that I can still focus on my work. I looked again the pdf file carefully, one-by-one, to see who got in and congratulate them. . . and then, TA-DA!!!

GKS-G-2020-728   PHILIPPINES  HAZEL ANNE . . .   

Waaah! I jumped out of joy! That was the happiest day of my life, that despite the adversity, uncertainty, hardships, I nailed it! I claimed victory in Jesus' name. Amen.

After almost a month, I finally received the Official Invitation from NIIED:

To those who want to change their life for the better, here's my advice: 

Dream, Believe and Act on it! Fortune favors the brave!