It was a small room tucked in the corner of our home, lit only by a flickering LED bulb and the soft glow of a laptop screen. I was barely 13 when I first saw my cousin type out a few lines of code that made the laptop respond with a robotic "Hello". At that time, I had no idea a seed was being planted within me - one that would lead me, years later, to write this personal statement. I stared at the screen, captivated. How could a machine, something cold and mechanical, respond like a human? My cousin chuckled at my amazement and said, "This is the future, brother." For me, that moment was a turning point. It was that first spark which would grow into a voracious curiosity about computers, artificial intelligence, and the infinite possibilities they held. I grew up in a modest household, where opportunities were often limited, but imagination was boundless. My cousin, about 10 years older than me, was the gateway to a field I had never imagined possible for someone like me. He would patiently explain that behind the computer are ideas, logic and endless possibilities. He would let me use his laptop (since I didn't have my own) to learn programming and watch tutorials.
My curiosity grew further through stories from my uncle (cousin's father), who worked in South Korea. Every time he returned home, he would bring Samsung devices for his son that looked like they belonged to another world-sleek tablets, lightning-fast laptops. He would share tales of Korea's AI-powered cities, and the everyday integration of technology in life and work. For a boy growing up in small city in Nepal, this sparked a deep fascination and a dream-to one day be part of that future.
All those dreams felt within reach when my school awarded me my first personal laptop for securing third place in my entire province in Grade 10 results. As I progressed through high school, I consistently ranked first in every internal and external examination. During my high school studies, I noticed a gap-our school lacked a platform where students could explore computer science and AI practically. Hence as its solution, I became the founding president of my high school's IT Club. Under my leadership, we organized workshops, AI seminars, coding challenges, and hackathons that drew over 100 participants from schools. My analytical and problem-solving abilities are further honed when I competed and passed District Mathematics Olympiad and Provincial Mathematics Olympiad to finally participate in National Mathematics Olympiad. For the recognition of my academic performance, leadership and service to the school community, I was awarded with Best Student Award for two consecutive years, a rare distinction in the school's history. I was the first student ever to receive this honor twice.
My passion for AI deepened when I wrote an article titled: What is AI? From a High School Student's Perspective which got published in my high school's annual journal. This article, which won the Best Article Award in my high school, simplified AI concepts for young readers. The article's success played a crucial role in my selection for the Future Mind campaign -a municipality initiative to educate students on emerging technologies. Sharing my knowledge through peer-led seminars reminded me of the spark my cousin had once lit in me.
After the campaign, I was offered an internship at an AI startup by one of professionals I met in campaign, where I helped train a chatbot for client FAQs. I worked on data input and model refinement under the guidance of mentors. Applying theory to practice revealed the nuances of teamwork and the ethical challenges of AI development. To further enhance my skills, I completed specialized AI courses on platforms like Kaggle and GeeksforGeeks. My innovative thinking found recognition at a national hackathon, where my team won the Innovative Idea award for creating a Smart Recycling Assistant. This project utilized image recognition technology to identify recyclable materials and provide disposal instructions to users. The core aim of our project was to find practical solutions to ongoing waste management issues.
Beyond academics and technology, what shaped me the most is the experiences I gained from giving back to my community. I was actively involved in the Red Cross Society of my district, participating in health awareness campaigns and various outreach programs that brought essential health information to many people. This involvement reinforced my belief that knowledge and skills must be shared to create positive societal impact.
What draws me most to South Korea is not just its technological advancement but its commitment to ethical innovation and inclusive education. With the vision of "Toward AI World Leader beyond IT", South Korea's National Strategy for AI (2019) aims to establish Korea as a leading nation in the AI era, achieve world's 3rd largest digital competitiveness, create huge economic effect of AI, and improve quality of life for people by 2030. My admiration for its advancement in AI, robotics and information science has only deepened over the years. Among the many things that reinforced my commitment to the field of AI and South Korea was a life-altering moment when I read about Professor Su-In Lee's work on explainable AI. Her algorithms could analyze genomic and clinical data to identify causes of diseases like Alzheimer's. The idea that code-mere lines of logic and computation-could potentially save lives stunned me. That moment turned my interest into a mission: to build AI systems that help people.
However, despite my passion and preparation, I soon realized the limitations of my context. In my country, universities still do not offer in-depth undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence. There is a serious lack of research infrastructure, academic resources, and practical training in this field. The GKS-U program is a unique opportunity to achieve my dreams without the financial burdens that would otherwise make studying abroad impossible for a student from a financially modest background. It is a bridge between where I am and where I aspire to be. GKS-U offers not only academic excellence but also cultural immersion, allowing me to understand Korea's societal context and apply my skills meaningfully.
When it comes to artificial intelligence, my academic interests and ambitions become vividly clear. The universities I have selected offer programs that closely match my passion for AI. Department of Artificial Intelligence in Chungnam National University emphasizes core areas like machine learning and deep learning through project-based learning, building solution of real-world problems. Dong-A University's AI department blends scientific foundations with hands-on engineering practice, preparing students to develop and apply AI systems effectively. At Kookmin University, the School of Artificial Intelligence focuses on cultivating interdisciplinary professionals who can lead innovation in AI, with strong training in software, computer science, and real-world application. Their support for innovation and creativity is exactly the kind of academic environment I hope to be a part of.
From a 13-year-old boy mesmerized by his cousin's laptop to the young man applying for GKS-U, my journey has taken many turns - through academic heights, passionate self-education and heartfelt community work. South Korea, with its unyielding pursuit of excellence, stands as the ideal environment for my next chapter. When I return to my country, I won't just bring a degree. I'll bring the tools to build an AL lab to create accessible platforms for AI learning, mentor underprivileged students and collaborate with government and private institutions to implement AI-based solutions in healthcare, agriculture and public service.
As I pen these final lines, I recall the powerful lesson my early influences have instilled in me: curiosity can overcome circumstance, and hope, if matched with effort, can cross continents. For me, GKS is a chance to become a part of a country I have admired since childhood - a country that has shown what vision, innovation and commitment can achieve. The GKS scholarship is not just providing me an opportunity. It is writing the next chapter for every child who's ever looked at a computer and whispered: "How?"
please give review for my personal statement. Every single advice is very highly respected.
My curiosity grew further through stories from my uncle (cousin's father), who worked in South Korea. Every time he returned home, he would bring Samsung devices for his son that looked like they belonged to another world-sleek tablets, lightning-fast laptops. He would share tales of Korea's AI-powered cities, and the everyday integration of technology in life and work. For a boy growing up in small city in Nepal, this sparked a deep fascination and a dream-to one day be part of that future.
All those dreams felt within reach when my school awarded me my first personal laptop for securing third place in my entire province in Grade 10 results. As I progressed through high school, I consistently ranked first in every internal and external examination. During my high school studies, I noticed a gap-our school lacked a platform where students could explore computer science and AI practically. Hence as its solution, I became the founding president of my high school's IT Club. Under my leadership, we organized workshops, AI seminars, coding challenges, and hackathons that drew over 100 participants from schools. My analytical and problem-solving abilities are further honed when I competed and passed District Mathematics Olympiad and Provincial Mathematics Olympiad to finally participate in National Mathematics Olympiad. For the recognition of my academic performance, leadership and service to the school community, I was awarded with Best Student Award for two consecutive years, a rare distinction in the school's history. I was the first student ever to receive this honor twice.
My passion for AI deepened when I wrote an article titled: What is AI? From a High School Student's Perspective which got published in my high school's annual journal. This article, which won the Best Article Award in my high school, simplified AI concepts for young readers. The article's success played a crucial role in my selection for the Future Mind campaign -a municipality initiative to educate students on emerging technologies. Sharing my knowledge through peer-led seminars reminded me of the spark my cousin had once lit in me.
After the campaign, I was offered an internship at an AI startup by one of professionals I met in campaign, where I helped train a chatbot for client FAQs. I worked on data input and model refinement under the guidance of mentors. Applying theory to practice revealed the nuances of teamwork and the ethical challenges of AI development. To further enhance my skills, I completed specialized AI courses on platforms like Kaggle and GeeksforGeeks. My innovative thinking found recognition at a national hackathon, where my team won the Innovative Idea award for creating a Smart Recycling Assistant. This project utilized image recognition technology to identify recyclable materials and provide disposal instructions to users. The core aim of our project was to find practical solutions to ongoing waste management issues.
Beyond academics and technology, what shaped me the most is the experiences I gained from giving back to my community. I was actively involved in the Red Cross Society of my district, participating in health awareness campaigns and various outreach programs that brought essential health information to many people. This involvement reinforced my belief that knowledge and skills must be shared to create positive societal impact.
What draws me most to South Korea is not just its technological advancement but its commitment to ethical innovation and inclusive education. With the vision of "Toward AI World Leader beyond IT", South Korea's National Strategy for AI (2019) aims to establish Korea as a leading nation in the AI era, achieve world's 3rd largest digital competitiveness, create huge economic effect of AI, and improve quality of life for people by 2030. My admiration for its advancement in AI, robotics and information science has only deepened over the years. Among the many things that reinforced my commitment to the field of AI and South Korea was a life-altering moment when I read about Professor Su-In Lee's work on explainable AI. Her algorithms could analyze genomic and clinical data to identify causes of diseases like Alzheimer's. The idea that code-mere lines of logic and computation-could potentially save lives stunned me. That moment turned my interest into a mission: to build AI systems that help people.
However, despite my passion and preparation, I soon realized the limitations of my context. In my country, universities still do not offer in-depth undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence. There is a serious lack of research infrastructure, academic resources, and practical training in this field. The GKS-U program is a unique opportunity to achieve my dreams without the financial burdens that would otherwise make studying abroad impossible for a student from a financially modest background. It is a bridge between where I am and where I aspire to be. GKS-U offers not only academic excellence but also cultural immersion, allowing me to understand Korea's societal context and apply my skills meaningfully.
When it comes to artificial intelligence, my academic interests and ambitions become vividly clear. The universities I have selected offer programs that closely match my passion for AI. Department of Artificial Intelligence in Chungnam National University emphasizes core areas like machine learning and deep learning through project-based learning, building solution of real-world problems. Dong-A University's AI department blends scientific foundations with hands-on engineering practice, preparing students to develop and apply AI systems effectively. At Kookmin University, the School of Artificial Intelligence focuses on cultivating interdisciplinary professionals who can lead innovation in AI, with strong training in software, computer science, and real-world application. Their support for innovation and creativity is exactly the kind of academic environment I hope to be a part of.
From a 13-year-old boy mesmerized by his cousin's laptop to the young man applying for GKS-U, my journey has taken many turns - through academic heights, passionate self-education and heartfelt community work. South Korea, with its unyielding pursuit of excellence, stands as the ideal environment for my next chapter. When I return to my country, I won't just bring a degree. I'll bring the tools to build an AL lab to create accessible platforms for AI learning, mentor underprivileged students and collaborate with government and private institutions to implement AI-based solutions in healthcare, agriculture and public service.
As I pen these final lines, I recall the powerful lesson my early influences have instilled in me: curiosity can overcome circumstance, and hope, if matched with effort, can cross continents. For me, GKS is a chance to become a part of a country I have admired since childhood - a country that has shown what vision, innovation and commitment can achieve. The GKS scholarship is not just providing me an opportunity. It is writing the next chapter for every child who's ever looked at a computer and whispered: "How?"
please give review for my personal statement. Every single advice is very highly respected.
