Scholarship – The day when I read “We are glad to inform you that….” on my email

I would like to say that one of the best days of my life was when I received an email from Wageningen University. It was written that the University granted me a scholarship to continue my master’s degree. It was already late at night in Indonesian time, I came back from a social event organized by my late office. I thought it was just an office-related email, but it was not.

At that time, I was really happy. I already tried applying for some scholarships to study abroad, not just in the Netherlands but also in other countries. At after my last failure of applying for several scholarships, I decided just to stop applying for another scholarship and focus on the admission process to continue my master’s degree in a university in my country. This email was a life-changing moment for me, I learned that I never know when I will get the scholarship if I stop trying.

“I learned that I never know when I will get the scholarship if I stop trying”

About my scholarship

There are many students with different scholarship studying at Wageningen University. I received the scholarship from Wageningen University Fellowship Program that covers my tuition fees and Anne van den Ban Fund that provides me the monthly allowance and several expenses related to my studies. After I arrived in the Netherlands and starting my course, I had a chance to meet some of the alumni and I was really inspired by them. I remember our talks with one of them and a woman told me that, “Education is important. As a woman, we need to help others when we have the privilege to do so.”

I also had several meetings with the awardees of the scholarship. As this scholarship is organized and received its funding mostly by the University’s alumni, the sessions are not only attended by students but also the inspiring alumni. It is always nice to listen to their experience while studying at Wageningen University a long time ago. Then, I also can share with them my experience studying this University and also, I can share my life in my home country and my future plans with them.

Having fun with fellow students that received the scholarship during the gathering

Scholarship tips 101

If you ask me how I can get the scholarship, I will say that I cannot answer your question.

But I can tell you that getting a scholarship is just a very small step. Because you need to face the University’s life. I would like to say that it will be harder than only applying for a scholarship. So, I think setting the right mindset is the first thing you need to do before applying for a scholarship. Make sure that you want to continue your study because you need the knowledge instead of other reasons. Well, change your mindset if you want to go studying abroad only to escape from life in your home country, or you think that it is cool to study abroad.

This right mindset will always remind you when you fail. Or when you already received a scholarship, and you find hardship when studying.

Then, you need to work on your application. Write a good motivation letter, find second readers to your application, prepare your English certification test, etc.

Never give up!

Like I said at the beginning of this post: you never know in which applications you will get the scholarship.

If you have questions, do not forget to leave in the comment section below ↓

Goodluck!