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We speak to some scholarship holders for some tips.

Finding scholarships

It is easy to find scholarship news. You can search for scholarship information from many sources such as the Internet, newspapers, scholarship exhibitions and university boards.

"Best try the Internet. It is a big source for scholarships. I checked mine there," says Jamlong Saiyot who was a Sauve scholar in 2005 and studied for a one-year diploma in journalism at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

He's now a producer at Asia Work Television in Chidlom, Bangkok.  

However, the first thing that you should know is yourself  what you really want to study.

"If you get a scholarship in a subject you don't like, you won't be able to live with it for long," says Maevadi Hungspruek, a master's degree in international relations and development studies, and a Chevening scholar.

She is now a country representative of Visit Britain, a UK tourism organisation in Thailand.

Preparing for scholarships

You should prepare transcripts and portfolios required beforehand. Check what's wanted for the application. It can help you to save time. If you have problems, consult a scholarship officer.

Apart from documents, candidates need to discuss their extra-curricular activities.

"Cleverness is not enough. Candidate with significant activities will have an advantage. Every time you do something you should ask for a reference," says Punroung Punthuhong, director of Education and Training Abroad Service, Office of the Civil Service Commission.

The best time for collecting experience is when you are at school or university.

There are many things to participate in such as the clubs or contests.

"I always attended university activities. It helped me get good experience useful for me and I think it made me win the scholarship," says Chavapas Ongmahutmongkol, who won a Fulbright to study for a master's in business at Harvard.

For studying abroad, English is important.

"It is not difficult if you always practice," says Fulbright scholar Thanat Atchatavivan, who completed a master's in engineering at the University of Michigan.

"Just seeing soundtrack movies, speaking with foreigners, reading and writing as much as you can, will help you to develop these skills."

Essays

In many scholarship applications, an essay or proposal is required.

"From the essay, we want to know candidates' ideas about current news, politics or hot situations," says Wanida Kritchanaruch, a Fulbright scholar.

"We can learn more about their attitudes."

Although writing essays can be hard, it doesn't mean that it can't be done.

Keep writing and rechecking many times until satisfied.

You can ask your teacher and friends to help you to check the essay.

Always write your own essay. Don't cheat. It will always catch you up.

"If you don't do it yourself, you will be in trouble at the interview. Committees check and they can deny your application," says Jamlong.

The test and interview

The test is what worries students the most. That is normal.

There are many ways to prepare, reading texts, practising exams or taking courses in the subject.

Find your best way and do it, says Maevadi, of the University of East Anglia in the UK.

"Preparing for the test is not too hard," she says. Maevadi's way is to reading the texts and taking notes. This helps her to remember it.

"For candidates prepare, they will do well," says Punroung who has been at the civil service commission for 26 years.

After passing the documentary process and the test, it's time for the last- step interview. Similar to the essay, you'll be asked questions about yourself and attitudes towards events.

"We reassure ourselves if candidates can write essays themselves and find out more about their personalities," says Punroung.

Be natural, is the best tip for the interview. Chavapas suggests taking a not too serious approach. " Don't stress. Just read the news; and take care of your health. When you don't have enough rest, you'll look tired and not be sharp."

"Smiling is important. It's an easy way to make an impression. It can make the interview go well," says Thanat.

The most important thing is to believe in yourself. Try to do your best.

Scholarships are waiting for you. For readers who want information, visit www.ocsc.go.th, www.britishcouncil.or.th, www.fulbrightthai.org, www.chevening.com, www.shellscholar.org, www.eduzones.com, and www.vcharkarn.com.

 

By Mongkol Semdang

Special to The Nation