My name is Amira, I'm from Kazakhstan. This year I got accepted to Pusan National University with full financial aid.

My background

In 8th and 9th grades, I started seeing myself in certain fields and wanted to be good at what I chose. I really liked chemistry in school, and by the time I was in 9th grade, I was thinking about where to study next and what job I wanted. I thought about studying in the USA, Korea, Hong Kong, or at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. In the 10th and 11th grades, I did more activities outside of class and looked for more chances to learn both in and out of school. When 12th grade began, I began getting my papers ready for college applications. This included writing essays, making a resume, putting together a portfolio, and figuring out how to pay for it all. I think that if someone wants to study in the USA, they should start writing their personal statement in 10th or 11th grade. That way, they can pick a topic that really shows who they are.

Universities I applied to

I applied to 20 universities in the USA, Hong Kong, Korea, and Kazakhstan. I was accepted to Nazarbayev University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Lingnan University, Hollins University, KIMEP, and, of course, my university - Pusan National University. My major is Aerospace Engineering, and the classes will be conducted in English with some parts in Korean.

Process of applying to Korean universities

If you want to apply to Korean universities, there's a main website: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/. Some universities just want an online form filled out, but others want you to send paper documents in the mail. Most of the time, they ask for language test scores like IELTS or TOPIK, a letter about why you want to study there, a plan of what you'll study, and sometimes they have extra questions. Some universities might also ask you to do an interview or take a test, depending on what you're studying.

Why I chose PNU

Of all the offers I received, Korea emerged as the best fit for me. It has a similar mentality and culture, a comparable cost of living, and numerous opportunities for both personal and professional growth, including internships. I've always admired Busan for its stunning coastline, mountains, and natural beauty. It's less crowded than Seoul, which matters a lot to me. The university offers quality resources and equipment and is recognized as a reputable institution internationally, promising many opportunities for my future. At PNU, there's a strong community of Kazakhs, and the student life is lively. The financial aspects of studying here also influenced my decision.

Financial aid

PNU provided me with a full scholarship covering all tuition fees. Additionally, there are special scholarships available based on TOPIK proficiency level or a high GPA: https://his.pusan.ac.kr/international_eng/41576/subview.do

My stats, honors, and extracurriculars

• IELTS: 7.5

• SAT: 1440 (Math: 800)

• GPA: 4.97/5

Extracurricular Activities:

1. Bronze Elbasy Medal recipient

2. Founder, CFO, and Hardware Technician of Eyesea social project

3. City delegate of NIS Valley Club

4. Dancer

Honors:

• $1195 scholarship from IBM Quantum Technovation Girls 2022 (semifinalist)

• 3rd place in Imagine Cup Junior "AI for Good" hackathon hosted by Microsoft KZ

• 1st place out of 500 in "I am an Entrepreneur" Grand tournament held by the Ministry of Education of KZ

• 520$ grant award(5/45 projects), Robotics contest led by USAID, GirlsPowerFund, & Eurasian Foundation

Tips for applicants

1. Don't postpone things.

2. Pay close attention to your motivational letter and stats.

3. Analyze and learn about the specifics of the university and your major.

4. Plan your application process ahead of time.

5. Start early when asking for recommendation letters.

6. Ask for fee waivers for the SAT and CSS Profile.

7. Send your IELTS results through a college counselor.

8. Don't give up! Your hard work will be worth it. If things don't go as planned, even better opportunities might be waiting for you!