By Honorary Reporter Frenky Ramiro from East Timor

Korea is one of the world's most popular destinations for international students, so competition is fierce for scholarships like the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and the Capacity Improvement & Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The GKS offers the chance to study at a university in Korea to raise educational exchange and friendship between Korea and other nations. CIAT, a human resource development initiative, caters to professionals from developing economies in offering capacity-building training in diverse fields based on Korea's developmental expertise.

Application for the GKS is held twice a year -- February for those pursuing a master's, doctorate or research degree and September for undergraduates. The application period for CIAT is every January for master's students.

Marito Ferrira (center), president of the GKS-Timor Leste Alumni Association, poses for a photo at a university in Dili, Timor-Leste. (Association's official Facebook page)

On Feb. 15 and 17, I conducted video interviews with Alfarobino dos Santos Ques, a member of the board of the GKS Timor-Leste Alumni Association (GKSTLAA), and Filomeno Pinto Moniz, a member of the KOICA Timor-Leste Alumni Association (KAATL), to learn how each group shares information about Korean scholarships in Timor-Leste.

Ques said his association collaborates with the Korean Embassy in Timor-Leste to support the latter's programs.

"Previously, the embassy always provided information on the GKS through its official website," he said. "Given the increase in GKS alumni from Timor-Leste and with the embassy's full support, the GKSTLAA was officially formed to support the embassy's programs, especially the dissemination of GKS information to schools and universities."

"A week before the GKS application announcement, the board shares information on the scholarship through the GKSTLAA's official Facebook page and that of the Korean Embassy in Timor-Leste." 

The GKSTLAA also collaborates with domestic media to promote the GKS via livestream.

The GKS-Timor Leste Alumni Association shares information on the GKS with two schools in Liquica, Timor-Leste. (Alfarobino dos Santos Ques)

The KAATL and KOICA's branch in Timor-Leste on Feb. 16 held a information session on the CIAT scholarship. One of the speakers there was Filomeno Pinto Moniz, who studied in Korea with KOICA assistance.

"We've shared information about the scholarship to participants," he said. "The main points were explaining the application process such as how to apply, get letters of reference, fill out the application form and prepare all the documents needed. We also provided information on this scholarship's benefits and introduced majors from CIAT 2024."

Moniz also shared his experience of living and studying in Korea. "Through this scholarship, I got the opportunity to attend conferences, build connections with other scholars, learn the Korean language and culture, and visit tourist attractions with friends," he said.

Marito Ferreira (right in both photos), president of the GKS-Timor Leste Alumni Association, shares information on this year's GKS on a morning talk show aired by a TV station in Timor-Leste. (Association's official Facebook page)

Both Ques and Moniz urged Timorese students to apply for the scholarship.

"The application is open to everyone. For those interested and wanting to know more about the scholarship, the GKSTLAA is open and ready to answer all of your questions," Ques said. "We also want to thank the Korean government for always providing opportunities to young Timorese wishing to pursue education at Korean institutions of higher education through this scholarship."

Moniz added, "For everyone who wants to apply, don't be shy to ask about the scholarship to alumni."

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.