(Tips and Advice) Erasmus+ Scholarship (one semester) at Opole University for PUC Students

By Se Horseng 

Dear PUC Fellow Juniors, 

I hope some of you are getting excited to finally see PUC has recently announced the 3rd batch of one-semester scholarship for Economics students to study in the charming Opole University, Poland. For your information, I was one of the first batch students of this scholarship who did the mobility in 2018. It was my life changing experience, and I don't want to explain much since I want to let you experience it yourself when you're there. 

As you know by the announcement, the scholarship will cover almost every expense, so don't worry about any personal expense (except for visa fee). Again, don't worry; I felt I was once a rich student while staying there Lol. 😂

Now, I think it is quite more important to let you know some tips and my personal advice if you are willing and eligible to apply, in a particular order of the requirements. 

(the Official Poster, PUC) 

👉You need to be an undergraduate student ( at least year 2) by now. 

• According to our school system, it might be difficult to see whether you are in year 2 or not, but one of the methods is to see the total number of your earned credits or ask your faculty to verify.

👉You need to be majoring in Economics

• It sounds a bit sad to students from other majors. However, if you are majoring in any other fields of the Business and Economics faculty or maybe other faculties (if you think your major is relevant to Economics), I encourage you to ask the current relevant office (maybe the International Relations Office as provided on the poster) for clarification whether or not you are eligible. 

👉GPA 3.0 or Higher 

• A lot of students are arguing over the importance of GPA, so here we go. 3.0 sounds already a high level to me. Don't worry if you are holding 3.1 or 3.2, just apply since this means you are already eligible. 

👉Current Official Transcript 

• To get the official transcript might take you some time based on the workload of the registrar office. Make sure you get one as soon as possible. 
• If you don't get one when the deadline is approaching, reach the International Relations Office to learn if you can submit the copied one and send the official one to them later. 

👉2 Recommendation Letters 

• This is what many students are eager to learn. You need to ask for recommendation letters from two dean and/or professor (s). 
• The smart way to choose the recommenders is to think of which dean and/or professor who know your performance in the class well. A lot of students might think that the higher positions of the recommenders, the higher chance for the applicant to be selected. This might be true for some extent, but not always the case. Just get two, and you can move forwards. 
• It might take some time to get it according to the availability of your recommenders. Give them  as long time as possible because this shows your respect to them. 

👉Scholarship Application Form 

• From the announcement, you will need to take it form the International Relations office. 
• Take some copies by yourself in case you make mistakes during the first filling. This is not important if you correct the paper with correction pen, it is fine as long as all the information is correct, but the clean one might shows your attention level you put on it. 

👉A copy of updated CV and Cover letter 

• The CV and Cover Letter might be similar to the one for job application, but you should make them more academically looking. 
• I don't think you have any problems with CV, but make sure to list all your important achievements and experiences there, especially with your academic life.  
• Your cover letter is something I rather call motivation letter. There is no only one way to write it, but some important elements include  yourself information,  your passion to study within this scholarship, outcomes from this scholarship to your study life or maybe the school or society, why you are qualified and should be selected, and so on according to your creativity and available relevant information. 
• It is not recommended to write it within one night, like your assignment 😁. Take time to write and have it read by your seniors or friends. 

*Regarding to how to submit, read from the poster. 

Finally don't wait until the last minute to apply. For further information or narrative stories of my personal experience, feel free to approach me.

Link to the interview about my experiences there by PUC: Horseng's Interview with PUC

Be confident and Good luck!!!