For many Nigerian students, studying abroad or studying in South Korea feels like a dream that belongs to someone else. It often seems reserved for people with powerful connections, wealthy families, or the ability to apply repeatedly until something works. But sometimes the story unfolds differently.
Ada, a Nigerian in her early twenties, applied for a scholarship to study in South Korea only once. That single application earned her a fully funded opportunity to pursue her master’s degree. Today, she studies International Relations at Sogang University in Seoul, and her journey offers a practical lesson for students who believe international education is far beyond their reach.
Ada’s story did not begin with a scholarship application. It began with curiosity. During her undergraduate years studying Mass Communication in Nigeria, she developed a strong interest in Asian culture. From films to social values and education systems, she found herself increasingly drawn to the region. When the time came to consider postgraduate studies, Asia felt like a natural direction to explore.
The Scholarship That Changed Everything
While searching for scholarship opportunities, she discovered the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a prestigious program funded by the Ministry of Education of South Korea and administered through the National Institute for International Education. The scholarship is designed to attract international students to South Korean universities by covering nearly every major expense of studying abroad.
For successful applicants, the benefits are significant. Tuition fees are fully covered, international flights are paid for, and students receive a monthly stipend to support living expenses. The scholarship also provides health insurance, settlement allowances, and a year-long Korean language program before academic coursework begins. In practical terms, recipients only need to get themselves to the airport; the scholarship handles nearly everything else.
Ada first encountered information about the program during her National Youth Service Corps year in 2023. She had been following updates from the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria on social media when she noticed a post announcing the scholarship. Instead of dismissing it as unrealistic, she began preparing immediately.
She spent months gathering the necessary documents so that by the following year she could submit a complete application. Unlike many Western scholarships that allow simple online submissions, the Korean scholarship process involves several layers of document verification. Academic transcripts, certificates, and personal records must pass through official authentication processes before being accepted.
The Application Was Not Easy—But It Was Possible
This meant visiting government institutions to legalize documents through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and securing additional verification through the Korean embassy. In some cases, court authentication may also be required. Although the steps are not necessarily difficult, they are detailed and time-consuming. Applicants who succeed are usually those who approach the process patiently and methodically.
Students applying for the scholarship can choose between two routes. One option involves submitting documents through the Korean embassy in their home country. The other requires sending verified documents directly to a university in South Korea. Ada chose the embassy route, which involves three stages: document screening, an interview stage, and final selection.
One part of the application stood out as particularly important: the personal statement and study plan. According to Ada, this section can determine whether an application progresses or stops at the first stage. Scholarship reviewers want to see a candidate who demonstrates strong academic performance, leadership potential, and a clear vision for how their studies will contribute to their future goals.
She advises applicants not to underestimate the importance of this section. A well-written statement should highlight academic achievements, meaningful extracurricular activities such as volunteering or leadership roles, and a convincing explanation of why the chosen field of study matters. Above all, applicants must communicate confidence and clarity about their goals.
Many students assume they will need multiple attempts before succeeding with international scholarships. Ada’s experience proved otherwise. She applied once and received the offer on her first attempt. Graduate applications for the program typically open early in the year and conclude by mid-year, with successful students traveling to South Korea later in the summer to begin the language program.
What Did It Cost?
Although the scholarship covers most expenses, applicants still spend some money during the preparation stage. Ada estimates that she spent around ₦200,000 during the process in Nigeria. Most of this went toward document authentication and transportation between government offices and the embassy. With rising administrative costs, the amount may now be higher, but it is still relatively small compared to the cost of funding international education independently.
Once students arrive in South Korea, the first year focuses entirely on language training. All recipients must complete an intensive Korean language program before beginning their university studies. During this period, students are expected to concentrate fully on their coursework and are not allowed to take on outside employment.
After successfully completing the language year, students move on to their degree programs. Ada’s academic program at Sogang University is taught largely in English, which has made the transition smoother. However, she notes that experiences can vary depending on the university and department, as some programs rely heavily on Korean-language instruction.
Beyond academics, living in South Korea has introduced her to an entirely different social environment. Everyday life is structured around order and discipline. Public spaces are organized, queues are respected, and systems tend to function with a level of efficiency that many international students find refreshing.
The country’s advanced technology sector, vibrant urban culture, and large international student community have also made the experience enriching. Ada describes meeting people from many different countries, which has broadened her perspective on global issues—an especially valuable experience for someone studying international relations.
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Of course, not everything has been effortless. The most difficult adjustment so far has been the winter weather. Coming from Nigeria’s warm climate, adapting to the cold Korean winters has been a challenge. Still, she describes her overall experience as overwhelmingly positive.
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South Korea has quietly become one of the fastest-growing destinations for international students. Its universities are well-regarded, its infrastructure is highly developed, and graduates are not automatically required to leave the country after completing their studies. This flexibility makes it an attractive alternative to some Western countries where post-study options can be more restrictive.
Ada believes many Nigerian students overlook opportunities like this simply because they assume they are out of reach. Her experience suggests otherwise. For students willing to prepare carefully, follow application guidelines, and present themselves convincingly, opportunities exist.
Sometimes the difference between staying and leaving, between wishing and achieving, is simply the decision to try, and the patience to prepare well when that opportunity appears.
