Student blogs

Hello and happy February! We are finally past the darkest month of the year and headed straight for longer, warmer days. This also means that the Swedish Institute (SI) scholarship application period has been open this month and about to close today! Hence, this blog will consist of a short interview with four previous SI Scholarship recipients from the Public Health programme. They will provide some of their personal insights on some perks, challenges, and reasons for applying to the scholarship.

Disclaimer: The responses of these recipients are based on their personal experience, and following their tips does not guarantee receiving a scholarship. Every application cycle is different, and candidate evaluation criteria can change from year to year. For more information, please check out their website! And don’t forget; KI also offers scholarships that you can apply for as a fee-paying Global Masters programme applicant.

Meet Caroline, Jubayer, Mary, Rajan, and Shrouq!

The SI Scholarship is an academic scholarship offered to those seeking a two-year full-time masters’ studies in Sweden. Its aim is to develop a global leaders committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goals in their home countries. Applicants must also be from one of 33 eligible countries to apply. We are lucky enough to have five classmates that are SI Scholarship recipients. Jubayer, Rajan, and Shrouq are in the Epidemiology track, whereas Caroline and Mary are in the Health Promotion and Prevention track. They represent Malawi, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal, as well as Jordan, and come from varying professional backgrounds.

Why did you decide to apply for the scholarship and how did you hear about it?

Caroline: “To be honest, I wanted to apply because I really wanted to study at KI. As someone who would not have afforded to come here without having financial support, getting a full-ride scholarship was a dream. Then I found out that they also offer support on growing as a professional and opportunity to network with other scholars from all over the world. This made me more eager to apply because I would be privileged to get from SI the support of an education beyond the classroom.”

Jubayer: “I came to know about the SI scholarship from an SI alumnus who studied in the same program I am currently enrolled in. I researched the scholarship online and discovered that the SI scholarship offers more than just financial aid for higher studies. It includes a network of potential leaders from around the world. The NFGP (Network for Future Global Professionals) particularly attracted me to the scholarship.”

Shrouq: “I found the SI Scholarship process to be clearer in terms of steps and requirements compared to some other scholarships based in Europe. The official website provided detailed guidance, making it easier to prepare the necessary documents on time. Another major advantage of the SI Scholarship was the opportunity for my daughter to attend a local preschool here in Stockholm. This meant she could accompany me on this journey and experience the Nordic culture firsthand. I heard about the scholarship from The Swedish Embassy which publishes the scholarship application dates on its official pages every year and encourage everyone to apply to study in Sweden.”

What were the most challenging aspects during your application process?

Jubayer: “The most challenging part was collecting documents to prove my work and leadership experiences from various organizations I worked with. Coordinating with supervisors and managers to find a suitable time to meet was a significant challenge. Another difficulty was prioritizing which parts of my work experience to highlight in the application, given the limited space in the CV form.”

Caroline: “I had a lot of self doubt knowing I was competing with thousands of highly qualified applicants. It made me question whether I was good enough. I had to constantly remind myself that my experiences and contributions mattered and that I lost nothing for giving this a shot.”

Mary: “While I did not face major challenges during my application as I started early, obtaining references from my workplace was difficult. While they supported my academic progress, they were reluctant to let me go. It took a long time to convince them how important winning this scholarship and studying in Sweden was for my career, but I eventually secured the reference.”

Shrouq: “The first and most important challenge was making the decision to study abroad as a mother and a wife. It was a significant step in my life, but my family supported and encouraged me to take this opportunity for personal and professional growth. From a technical perspective, careful planning for the scholarship requirements was crucial. One of the key steps was preparing for the IELTS exam. While it wasn’t particularly difficult, it required focused preparation to achieve the required score.”

Looking back, what do you think made you stand out as an applicant?

Rajan: “I think it’s the previous work experience and the ambitions I had (which I managed to write within 1000 characters) which was closely related to contributing towards sustainable development goals. Also, I think my referees provided very specific examples of my skills, leadership potential and professional contribution – in the recommendation letters.”‘

Caroline: “I ensured that my application materials clearly aligned with SI’s values, especially regarding sustainable development and giving back. I found that it was important to highlight how my personal and professional experiences were a contribution to the SDGs. I also included how I would continue to contribute to them after I finish my masters program. Moreover, I also made sure to highlight the leadership experiences I have had. This was quite intimidating because I did not see myself as much of a leader. I haven’t been in charge of a large working group or ran a company, but I went ahead and presented my potential to do all of those things based on my experiences in smaller roles I have had working as a counselor, or before when I was an intern.”

Jubayer: “I have worked for several agencies in leadership roles and volunteered for a few civil society organizations. I believe my extensive leadership experiences in both professional and voluntary roles were key factors that made me stand out as an applicant.”

Shrouq: “I believe that dedicating time to thoroughly read and understand the scholarship requirements played a key role. Having relevant work experience, leadership involvement, and volunteer work also strengthened my application. The SI Scholarship highly values applicants who demonstrate a commitment to leadership and societal impact, so highlighting these aspects was essential.”

What has been the most valuable opportunity/ies that you had as a scholarship recipient?

Jubayer: “The financial support from SI to cover my tuition fees and living expenses has been the most important beneficial aspect. Additionally, the opportunity to engage with hundreds of brilliant minds from different parts of the world through the SI network is invaluable. I also had the chance to participate in leadership training provided by SI, which has significantly contributed to my education and enhanced my leadership
skills.”

Rajan: “The most significant is financial security – it helps me focus on my studies and personal growth – and participate in other activities at KI or by SI. Also, the opportunity to network with other global professionals, scholars and alumni from around the world.”

Caroline: “Beyond the financial support, the SI Network for Future Global Professionals (NFGP) has been an amazing experience. It’s an inspiring community where I’ve built lifelong friendships, exchanged ideas with brilliant people, and connected with mentors who’ve helped shape my academic and professional journey.”

Shrouq: “This entire experience has been incredibly rewarding. I am deeply grateful to the SI Scholarship for this opportunity. Studying at one of the world’s leading universities and learning from top professors has been invaluable. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to immerse myself in Swedish culture and connect with colleagues from all over the world. The cultural exchange and networking opportunities are truly priceless—I can’t count all the blessings!”

Mary: “As a recipient, I have had numerous opportunities. I am studying at a top university with full financial support, attending SI leadership conferences, and learning from diverse colleagues. I also interned at the Swedish Red Cross Society, contributing to the REACH project in Africa. This allowed me to connect with the Africa CDC, IFRC, and funding organizations like the Mastercard Foundation. Being part of the SI network is prestigious and will open doors for future opportunities to contribute to society and the SDGs.”

Any last minute advice on those that are applying right now?

Rajan: “Be yourself with your application. I know there are a lot of samples in the internet. But they’re usually not helpful as they are not tailored for the application for this scholarship. Try to be specific with what you’d want to do and list your concrete plans. You’ll be applying for the scholarship even before you receive the admission results. So your application should be tailored towards showing your leadership skills, your contribution to sustainable development goals, and yore future plans in this area, rather than being specific to any university.”

Jubayer: “Ensure that you have followed all the application instructions correctly. Highlight your
contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in your application. Best
wishes!”

Shrouq: “Make sure you carefully cover all the scholarship requirements. If you don’t get selected this year, don’t be discouraged—use the time to plan, improve your application, and apply again next year. Persistence is key. Good luck to everyone!”

Mary: “My advice to applicants; be genuinely passionate about giving back to society and advancing the SDGs. Start early, request references in advance, and submit your application well before the deadline.”

I hope this very last minute gave current and future SI scholarship applicants a summarized idea of what past applicants/recipients experienced during the application period. Best of luck!