Fully founded international scholarship to foreign universities
In the Netherlands, there is a very popular story of a boy with his finger stuck in a dike. A dike is a large structure made of raised earth used in a holding back water – the Dutch, whose lands were under threat from being waterlogged by the sea, built dikes to hold back the seawater. One day, a boy saw a hole in the dike through which the seawater was seeping, and he correctly deduced that the water was going to drench the dike, collapse it, and flood his town. He stuck his finger in the dike and sent a friend to call for help. He had to stay with his finger stuck there in the freezing cold to save his town from flooding.
For many people around the world who want access to better education to develop the skills or conduct a research that would benefit their community, they may feel a little like the boy with his finger in the dike. Help is needed – usually financial, and sometimes it is in getting recommendations or other forms of help with travel documents.
This should not hinder you from getting the education you deserve, or getting your ideas tested and developed. You would be more valuable to your community for it.
Many scholarships and grants are given to low-income students to fund their studies and research. Some of them are fully funded, and some only covers part of the costs. You would need to show that you are outstanding in a given field of study to gain a scholarship in that field. We believe that you are outstanding, and brilliant. So, we have published a step-by-step list of what you need to do to move from daydreaming about life in the campus of your choice, to actually being there, and going out on a date with Jessica on Friday.
Step 1: Settle on Your Course and Research Topic
Undergraduate? Masters? Doctorate? I am guessing that you have already decided your level of study, as that is determined by the certificates you have already earned. If you are still having doubts – perhaps you would prefer a second degree over a higher one – it would be best to resolve it before your application process.
Then you need to settle on your Course of study or your research topic. It is important you do this, so you can focus your pre-research – the research you do to show that you qualify for that study or research opportunity. You would need to know everything you possibly can about your course of study or research topic.
It is great to have passion for a particular field of study, but you would need more than passion to qualify for a study or research opportunity in a choice University. You would need to show that you have a good preliminary knowledge of the course or that particular field of research – things like area of application, and current problems with the research – to show that you can positively contribute. This is especially important if you are applying for a scholarship or grant.
Step 2: Check for Requirements
Many Universities have a list of requirements for students they would admit into their faculties. So, once you have settled on your course or research topic, you begin researching Universities to find out those whose requirement you can easily meet.
Or have you made up your mind to attend a particular university for personal reasons? Or for research facilities? Well, it would be a bummer if you do not meet up to the requirements of that University for your course. But do not give up so easily. See if there are ways of alternatively meeting up to the requirements – perhaps call their admissions office and make enquiries.
It is good, however, to be flexible in your expectations. Many people apply to study or research in prestigious universities every year – far more than most can admit. If you get the chance to study in a different university, you should take it. Life is full of random magic happening everywhere, and happiness in unexpected places. If you cannot meet the requirements of your preferred course, you may be still be able to study or research a related topic.
Step 3: Get Your Transcripts and Other Documents Ready
Most universities would require transcripts from your former schools to show that you have completed that level of education. There may be other documents that they would require. It is time to start gathering these documents. Make sure that you read the requirements from the university thoroughly, to get everything right on the documents – necessary stamps, signatures, and others. Make enquiries in the website or by calling the office – try to be as certain as possible about the details.
NB: Some scholarships cover the costs to obtain passports and travel documents. If you are applying for them, it might be thriftier to wait to see if you’re accepted before spending your own money.
Step 4: Complete Your Scholarship Application
Once you have all the requirement for applying to a scholarship, complete your application. Most scholarship can be applied for online, through the official website of the school or the scholarship organization. You would certainly be asked to upload some documents. Once the webpage says your application is complete, you are done with this step. You would need to complete this before the deadline. Within a few weeks, you should receive an acceptance letter that telly you your application was successful.
And if you don’t get it? Well, you would just have to wait until it is past the acceptance deadline before you give up hope. Check your spam folders too.
Step 5: Have a Safe Flight
If you are accepted, all that would probably remain is your plane ticket to the University. So, get on that plane and go to the campus of your dreams. Once there, you would have to complete some registration by hand. Ask questions, and read instructions carefully, and become the student you have always wanted to be.
Then go on that date with Jessica
