How junior students be ready?

 

An exchange program is a program that allows students or youths to explore and experience other countries. I believe that there are many young people who are passionate about having an exchange program in another country.

Unfortunately, most of them misunderstand how to apply for the scholarship for the exchange program. It’s truth that some of candidate would miss the opportunity due to they live in rural area and they have no networks who can share the information to them.

As my experience, applying exchanging program is mostly highly competitive and selective because there are hundred candidates who trying for an exchange scholarship with us at the same time.

In truth, the first time I tried to apply for YSEALI's exchange program to the United States, I was rejected because I didn't know how to write an essay and I didn't include the required references.

I continued just trying to reapply by making improvements to my application and getting guidance from my senior who had previously participated in the YSEALI program. As a result, I was chosen to participate in the YSEALI's program in 2023, when I visited Washington, D.C., Arizona State University, and New York City.

No matter where you from or how many times you try and fail, if you keep trying and don't give up, you will be chosen as soon. To young people who are interested in joining the exchange program, I suggest a few pieces of guidance:

A strong desire to travel and exchange culture

It's helpful to have passion if you are going to be successful. It's true that having a passion can help you define the direction and the country that you wish to travel in. If you have goal to visit other country, you will succeed someday as your expectation.

language learning, particularly in English and other languages

A significant number of exchange programs use English as the main way of communication, so it is used in most of them. Therefore, if your ability to speak of the language isn't great, please try to get improved. Do not wait until you’re advance in speaking, let’s do apply it. The more you apply, the more you know what would be improve for next step.

Start getting involved in volunteer work

Okay, because volunteering helps you build strong relationships with different kinds of those taking part in the event as well as to giving you beneficial knowledge and information. Similar to my personal experience, volunteering provided me the opportunity to connect with seniors who used to take part in exchange programs. They enabled me learn about numerous scholarships for international exchange programs. Please don't be afraid to connect the volunteer program with NGOs or other sectors if you have the time.

keeping connections with alumni students

Building strong connections will enable you get to know the alumni of seniors. They may offer recommendations for how they can improve the application process better or they might have unique concepts for how to apply for the scholarship.

Following exchange program’s social media

Don't forget to follow the scholarship's website and social media networks. A huge number of scholarships regularly share information to the media. On how to apply for the scholarship, they will guide you. You can follow or like the content creator whom posts information about the scholarship program throughout the media. 

All of these are based on my personal experiences that I have been prepared for exchange program when I was in high school and year one in the college. I truly believe that this basic tips can help junior students to be prepare before applying the scholarship. And every persons they might have their own tactics or experience to apply the scholarship of exchange program. Last, if you are one of candidate who failed, do not give up it. Someday, you will be selected candidate.