As many as 6 Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students have the opportunity to study in South Korea with scholarships from the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation (Hyundai Motor CMK).
For two semesters, these students will attend lectures at renowned universities in South Korea, such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.
The departure was officially announced by Acting Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Hempri Suyatna. He was accompanied by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), Dr. Suray Agung Nugroho. The ceremony took place at Balairung UGM on Monday (Jun. 16).
Dr. Suyatna stated that the Hyundai Motor CMK scholarship is a full scholarship program organized by the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.
It is for undergraduate and postgraduate students from ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, who wish to study in South Korea.
This scholarship covers full tuition, living expenses, and study support costs.
“This scholarship provides significant financial support, including living costs and tuition fees. I hope the students who qualify and participate in this program can make the best use of this opportunity,” he said.
Anggita Lintang Herdiwan, one of the students from the Department of Korean Language and Culture, FIB UGM, who passed, expressed gratitude for receiving this scholarship.
She admitted to facing challenges during registration and the selection process.
“The selection process took place last semester; there was an interview with Hyundai, and after that, we received an email confirming acceptance. The biggest challenge in the selection was that some of our friends were not from the Korean Language, so the interview was conducted in English,” Herdiwan said.
Herdiwan explained that when participating in this scholarship program, UGM students will join those from UI, ITB, and President University.
She mentioned that for two semesters, they will be spread across various universities.
“We are grateful because courses from this program can also be converted to UGM credits later,” Herdiwan stated.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Firmansyah Haryo Yudhoyono, a 2022 cohort student in the Korean Language and Culture program at FIB UGM.
He was admitted to pass this scholarship to study at Yonsei University in South Korea.
“I am grateful to be able to participate in this, as it allows me to learn and experience student life, especially in South Korea,” Yudhoyono explained.
Yudhoyono added that this foundation’s scholarship also provides summer camps and cultural activities.
Students have the opportunity to visit cultural sites, engage in study tours, and attend winter camps.
Although there is no obligation to submit a report at the end of the program, he hopes to gain many interesting insights into life in South Korea.
“I hope with this scholarship, I can learn about South Korea and gain much useful experience and knowledge for myself and those around me in the future,” Yudhoyono hoped.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto