Scenarios vary but in general terms we can classify scholarships into two types: When a foreign country trains you to return to our home country and act as a knowledge multiplier. When a foreign country trains one to stay and contribute to that country, either as the local population is not interested in that area of knowledge or because they have a greater demand for talent than the current supply in that field.
This means that scholarships are NOT awarded out of the need of the applicant, but out of the offeror’s interest in benefiting or benefiting a friendly nation. This breaks a very important myth about scholarships, and that is that they are not exclusive to people with financial problems. No. To win a scholarship you don’t have to show mercy, but show that you deserve it and that you are the best investment (even if you really have money problems).
Pay attention to the keyword ‘prove’. You don’t have to be a mathematical or philosophical genius or a bookworm. One has to be to sell ourselves right, authentically conveying our desires to contribute to something bigger than ourselves. After all, scholarships rely on the information you provide them (curriculum, motivation letter, notes, references) to compare our profile with that of other candidates and make a decision.
How to develop the profile to win scholarships?
To win a scholarship or sponsorship, the information you provide must be truthful and verifiable. Therefore, instead of coming up with one, you need to start preparing. Think less about the weekend and more about the long term. Draw a plan and develop habits and actions that bring you closer to your goal every day.
In addition to good grades, there are 5 key characteristics scholarship providers look for in applicants: Leadership Social awareness Worker Languages Motivation
Leaders because they influence, know how to work as a team, integrate and develop ideas. Social conscience ensures that the ideas that develop also benefit those who need them most or the common interest. Worker because good things take time, effort and patience.
Languages because the world tends to unify and not divide. An example of this is that English is the language in most academic scholarship programs. And motivation because without it nothing is possible. With that in mind, you can begin identifying and implementing actions TODAY to build that profile that will give you an edge in the future and help you win a scholarship. 1. Direction
Start participating in research, art or sports groups. Enter competitions at your college or university. Write publications or attend conferences that interest you. 2. Social awareness
Join these kinds of causes. Volunteer or be a voice for those in need in your institution, business, and neighborhood. 3. Worker
Be proactive. Become a mentor in topics you enjoy and/or are given to you. Get a part time job. And if working for someone else isn’t your thing, then go ahead and get started. But don’t worry! You don’t have to invest millions, you can start selling something in your home or educational institution because those experiences matter. Your relationship with your teachers and/or employers and their references will be essential in winning a scholarship abroad. 4. Languages
There is no need to talk about the importance of English in today’s globalized world. To learn the language you can use applications such as Dulinguo, free pages on the internet or enroll in courses on weekends. Meet and practice with native speakers in your city. For this you can join communities like: Couchsurfing, MeetUp or even host them in your home or provide an experience through AirBnb.
If you can finance a language course abroad, go for it. Scholarships to study English are not an option for those who don’t know the language (moreover, they are very few, almost non-existent). Study now and change the chip that English “doesn’t fit” or that “isn’t for you”. Languages, like everything, are about practice as well as patience and perseverance. 5. Motivation
You must show this in a letter to scholarship providers. It is the most important document because in it you have the opportunity to verify and confirm that you meet the profile (all the previous points). In your motivation letter, you must show knowledge of the country you want to go to and the program you want to study. In it, you communicate that you deserve the scholarship for your achievements and learning, and that you are motivated to contribute to the program, institution, country, and/or society.
How to find and win scholarships?
After putting in the short, medium and long-term efforts to develop the profile that scholarship providers are looking for, you should: Investigate and gather information Analyze alternatives Prepare documentation Submit applications
Enter the web pages of the universities where you would be interested in studying and look in the scholarship section. You can also go to the Ministry of Education page of the countries you would be interested in going to. On the other hand, you can visit the Scholarships section of this website to analyze the scholarships already available in the programs you may be willing to study.
To analyze the alternatives consider the requirements of the program, your profile, what you want and what you are willing to do for the scholarship. This is the key to knowing whether you will meet what the scholarship provider needs by the application deadlines. Once the decision is made, prepare the documents they require and how they are required (translated, apostilled, physical or scanned, etc.).
The following is waiting for the good news. In case you don’t get the scholarship on your first attempt, learn from the experience and prepare yourself for the next one. Remember that new calls are coming out all the time.