Today is the day! The application period for Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals is finally open!
If you have already applied to a master’s programme of your dreams this year, then you don’t want to miss an opportunity to apply for this fully-funded scholarship.
In the previous post, I already shared some application tips for you, and today I’m going to give you more information on how to prepare a successful application to get the scholarship and start the journey of a lifetime in Sweden.
Share your vision
Everything starts with a purpose, so you have to ask yourself the right questions. What is my ultimate goal? How will this specific programme help me to achieve it? What problem does it solve? What have I done before to contribute to this problem? What skills, knowledge, and connections do I lack to solve it right now? Why Sweden and not another country? Which Swedish Institute values do I share myself? What will my life be like if I am awarded the scholarship? What do I get from it? What can I give back? What are the specific steps I will take to achieve my goal while in Sweden and after graduation?
Although you might think you have all of the answers in your head, it is crucial that you carefully think through each of them step by step. Answering them will help you shape your vision into concrete words to share with the selection committee. You might know you’re the perfect match for the scholarship, but they wouldn’t know it until you show it to the committee through your application documents. You have to share your vision in detail, showing how determined you are and proving you’re a true leader who strategically assesses every step.
Be specific
Many people tend to make unsubstantiated statements that sound proofless when applying for scholarships. For example, some people say: “I’m a great leader,” but that doesn’t really mean anything without any further details. The task here is to show your leadership potential through specific things you’ve done. That can be demonstrated from your previous work experience, volunteering, involvement in student associations and extra-curricular activities. A great way of showing the impact is by backing up your CV and other documents with figures and specific facts. For instance: “I organised women empowering career forum, working on the community strategic development and managing universities relations, supervising a team of 20 people. Thanks to my job, more than 3000 young women could enhance their soft skills and learn more on how to build an outstanding career”.
A common problem here is that many people underestimate their accomplishments, thinking they didn’t really do anything extraordinary in their lives. But this is so not true! I believe that everybody has done something they should be proud of. We just don’t think of that as our achievements, blaming it on luck, a talented team of coworkers, or the universe, or whatever, you name it. Imposter syndrome can hit really hard, but you have to learn to overcome it. Try talking to your friends, coworkers, managers, and ask them for their feedback. You’ll be surprised how many great things you have actually done without even realising it.
Use your networking skills
Another thing that many neglect or are scared to do is reach out for advice. Many people have already gone through this: received a scholarship or studied the similar programme you’re applying for. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Do your research and find these people on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or literally any social media. Most of them still remember how electrifying and exciting it was when they applied for the scholarship themselves, and some of them can actually share good advice with you or become motivational role models that can give you inspiration. You can also find many of them in themed networks, like Facebook groups or Telegram chats, by searching the keywords.
One thing to remember here is to try to be as respectful and polite as possible, paying much attention not to waste the other person’s time. Many of the graduates are working really hard, and they might not have much time to help you even if they are willing to do so. So start with a short message with a quick intro stating your problem and then elaborate on it if a person is ready to help.
Hope I could give you some food for thought and helpful tips, so you can rock your scholarship application and join KTH this autumn! Let me know if you have other concerns regarding the application, and I’ll be happy to answer them in the comments below.
Good luck, and don’t stop believing!
// Valerie