Scholarships
Studying abroad is expensive and that makes it seem almost impossible to figure out how you, as a broke university student can afford it. The key to this dilemma is applying for as many scholarships as you can!
Things to research:
Sometimes your university has scholarships they offer for university led study abroad programs
Certain third party programs such as the one I used, USAC, offer scholarships and discounts for your study abroad program through them
Here are some links to great scholarships for study abroad:
https://www.iie.org/programs/freeman-asia
https://gilmanapplication.iie.org/
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program
http://www.niied.go.kr/eng/contents.do?contentsNo=78&menuNo=349
https://www.borenawards.org/scholarships/program-basics/boren-scholarship-basics
Helpful tips:
Give yourself plenty of time to complete these scholarship applications! Deadlines come so much quicker than you think!!
Don’t rush on your essays, give yourself time to write one, trash it, rewrite it, and have someone read it over for you!
Be sure to read the guidelines!!! Include everything they ask you to include in your essay to be sure you have the best shot at getting the scholarship!
Lastly, be yourself in your essay and show how much studying abroad in a country you are interested in means to you!!
My experience:
I’ve always wanted to study abroad but financially, I knew it would be something I’d have to take on myself. I’ve been saving up since I applied for my third party program but studying abroad requires so much more money than I anticipated. The flight, dorm, tuition, books, food, transportation, emergencies, trips, shopping, miscellaneous fees, any bills back home, and other personal expenses add up to a lot more than you think! Thankfully, after a lot of hard work, applications, and waiting, I’ve been given the amazing opportunity by the Gilman Scholarship and the Freeman Asia scholarship to study abroad in South Korea without the worry of financial strain or loans I have to go back home to pay off!
I just want to thank Gilman and Freeman Asia again, for lifting this financial burden off of me and allowing me the opportunity to explore South Korea and hopefully some other Asian countries, like I’ve always dreamed!
