I have enough reason to retain my possession of learning in order to keep myself sane. Therefore I decided, galvanized myself, to pursue my higher education abroad. I found haven in knowledge. Knowledge made me despaired and addicted in the same time. It is bizzare but I just can't let myself sink in industrial world and leave the nerdy world. Though I am not kidding myself that maybe someday I will.
I intended to write this post to share how I made it possible to pursue a higher education abroad. Because what I did before I apply to any scholarship was browsing personal experiences of people who made it before me. I measured myself. Am I deserve to achieve what they have achieved, is my motivation strong enough to persuade people to pay my tuition fee, what is my payback to the society if I ever made it (study abroad) with public's money. As an adult we should know very well that there's no such thing as free breakfast.
Put aside luck factor in this matter. Sure you would feel that your prayer is more powerful than anything. But darling, your prayer is just a weak weapon if you only hold onto it and do nothing more. Not that I am not a religious person, I am. But what I am saying is people often blaming fate, and in this context, God, to justify their laziness. Just do not be like one. I think this is the very first step.
The next step is to ask yourself the hardest question. Why pursue another degree? Why abroad? Why? Is it because you do not want to be left behind because your friends are study abroad too? Because it sounds so cool that you could put your entire years on your social media and get much attention? Or what? Is it truly your call? It is important to answer the questions with the most naked form of reaction of yourself. When you being honest with yourself and have the motivation that come from you, not others, you will have an indescribable comfort and energy to fight for what you want, to face the rocky road ahead.
The next thing is you have to build your argument. The world does not revolve around you. Who would bother getting what you want if it is just because you want to? The case is rather different if you have enough money to fund yourself. Analyse yourself like playing a puzzle. What major you want to take, is it match with your previous track-record, if it is in fact not, what argument you have to match it, what proof that you have to tell the funding sources that you are a reliable and committed person, what will you do next right after graduation, what will you do next in the long term, emphasise your strength and embrace your weakness like you really know yourself. This puzzle-playing is not an instant process. I spent nearly one year trying to form the puzzle of mine, pieces to pieces. I found it more important even than those overprice language courses. I want to remind all dearly readers to not too focus on technical matters then leave the critical point behind.
It is not a linear process because somehow along the puzzle-playing you better conduct a mini research about the scholarships you want to apply. The opportunity out there is like fish in the sea. There are plenty. I made an excel sheet consists of the list of scholarship I interested in, including the deadlines, requirements, types of scholarship, the links that redirect to the website, et cetera. It helps me to determine what should I do at the moment and prepare myself for the worst. If I failed in one scholarship, I know that I still have sufficient amount of opportunity so that I would not be devastated from the beginning, let alone wasting my time playing victim.
When you put your critical point on mind, or at least you are already in the process of seeking those pieces, it is time to put attention on the technical matters. The greatest barrier I experienced myself is language. I am not grew up in an english literate family, I never spend my time abroad to study or work, I do not have much chance to use english, heck when I grew up all english courses was too expensive for me I never bother to think about. If you have more or less the same condition as I am, then do not lose hope. There is a thing called autodidact. A self-taught. And it has to start now. Will you be surprised if I tell you that I never took an IELTS/TOEFL course ever? Because hey, it is english. You can find it anywhere you want to. Familiarise yourself through journals, books, movies, tv series, songs, games, anything. In IELTS context, my teachers are my friends who took those courses and those who effortlessly spoke english fluently, my reference books are downloaded for free, my curriculum is designed by myself. You need no penny. Only strong willingness and commitment to learn. So if you excuse yourself because of your financial situation blocking you to take those overprice courses, you already lose the battle without fighting. Once again, do not lose hope. Use me as the living proof. The case might be different for other language like Deutsch, Mandarin, Arabic, et cetera.
After the puzzle done and technical matters resolved. Apply the scholarship you want with attention to detail. Make sure you read all the requirements and instructions so you do not ask an unnecessary question. Because trust me, you do not want to look stupid in the eye of beholder.
Make sure things. Do you have to get the Letter of Acceptance from the university before you apply or not? Which english test do you have to get, is it TOEFL, IELTS, or what kind of test? Is paper based allowed or should it be an internet based? Is GRE needed? Should you spare plenty of time to ask for letter of references? How many essay you should make? How many legal document you have to provide? Should it be translated by sworn translator? This should be done by your mini research mentioned above. Win this uphill battle.
Make sure things. Do you have to get the Letter of Acceptance from the university before you apply or not? Which english test do you have to get, is it TOEFL, IELTS, or what kind of test? Is paper based allowed or should it be an internet based? Is GRE needed? Should you spare plenty of time to ask for letter of references? How many essay you should make? How many legal document you have to provide? Should it be translated by sworn translator? This should be done by your mini research mentioned above. Win this uphill battle.
The next battle is the real-time challenge phase, whether it is interview, group discussion, psychology test, and so on. This phase will reveal the truest form of yourself. If you are already finished your puzzle, I do not think you have to worry anymore. You will get the confidence because you know who you are, why you took this battle, what will you do next, how you reach the goals you aspire. The only task is just being who you are and let the jurors decide whether or not you deserve to be the one they pour their funding to. Get a good breakfast, wear your best attire.
If you are succeed. Remember that it is just a small accomplishment comparing to all people who have actually made world a better place.
If you are failed. Open your excel file, get another battle if you really want this thing to happen.
If you are curious about what scholarship I got or have more detail questions about studying abroad, especially UK, do not hesitate to contact me through titaadelia@gmail.com. I wrote here to help as much as I can.
Sincerely,
Tita Adelia
