Aanchal Tekriwal, Godda, Jharkhand

The merge of passion, arduous effort, and opportune circumstance ignites fuel to realizing one’s aspirations. Introducing Khushboo Shafi, a passionate dreamer who has turned her dreams into reality through her sheer hard work and dedication. She is currently studying in South Korea and is actively volunteering for various events in the country. She is an inspiration to all students aspiring for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), as she is a scholarship holder for the year 2021. With her consistent efforts, she has proved her mettle and continues to work towards her goals. Khushboo is an active content creator on Instagram and YouTube, where she shares her life and journey, making her followers feel like a part of her adventure. Recently, Hallyuism had the opportunity to interview Khushboo, where she shared her experiences with the language and culture of the country and her life as an Indian living in South Korea. Without further ado, let’s dive into the interview!

Can you please briefly introduce yourself to our readers?  

Hi, I am Khushboo Shafi. I am pursuing my master’s degree in applied Statistics from Korea University, under Global Korea Scholarship 2021. My hometown is New Delhi and I graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. 

Tell us when and how your initial interest in Korean culture started and what made your passion for the culture grow only stronger since. 

I came across a few dubbed Korean Drama short videos on Facebook back in school, but I wasn’t very interested until I watched my first K-drama, She is Pretty. Since then, I started watching a lot of K-dramas. They gave me an escape for a while, and they teach self-love and more which made me keener into that. I was more into fictional dramas though, hahahaha.

You are a remarkable example of how, with hard work, one can achieve their dreams.  As a 2021 Global Korea Scholarship holder, can you share some insights into your journey and the challenges faced in acquiring this admirable scholarship? 

I remember when I was applying for GKS, COVID was at its peak and there were so many hurdles even after getting the scholarship. Getting the visa was the most difficult phase and also, I would like to add how getting the advanced degree from Delhi University almost made me lose hope of landing in Korea even after getting the scholarship. Thanks to God, everything turned out well eventually! 

What advice or tips would you like to share with the aspiring students applying for the Global Korea Scholarship in 2024 or beyond? 

I would suggest doing thorough background research on the courses you are going to take. Check their medium of instruction because it’s not easy to study your subject in Korean and read the guidelines very carefully and multiple times like at least 5 times, I say. The reason is that there is everything given in the guidelines, and they don’t have to reach out to people for basic questions.

You studied at Jeju National University for your language year and then pursued your master’s degree at Korea University. How did you find your college experiences and learning at both universities? What are the advantages of studying as a foreign student in South Korea? 

My one year in Jeju was the most wonderful time in my entire life. I never saw beaches before. Jeju is the prettiest tourist destination in Korea, and I consider myself blessed to have gotten the chance to study there. Although getting a TOPIK score was very stressful, at some point I almost gave up. Overall, I will always cherish my language year experience. Talking about my master’s degree, I did face a bit of a problem because of some courses in Korean but my professors were helpful, so I was able to overcome that. Time flies, I am in my last semester now! I highly suggest doing a study here as there are so many good opportunities apart from academics such as travelling, experiencing Korean Culture and more for foreign students here! 

What were some of the difficulties you faced while learning the Korean language and living as an Indian student in South Korea? 

The most difficult part of learning the Korean language for me was not the language itself but the timings. I needed to get TOPIK 3 as soon as possible because of GKS rules and it’s quite stressful to do it when you are starting from zero. As an Indian, I definitely faced issues with food. I am a big foodie, and I missed my simple yet fulfilling meals. I missed the spices.

We truly acknowledge the insightful and entertaining vlogs and tips you share on your YouTube channel. What inspired you to start your channel and document your life in Korea? 

I knew I had to do a YouTube channel even before I went to Korea, but I was never sure what should be my niche. Korea gave me the platform and a potential content niche. Content creation is what I truly enjoy so I don’t take the stress of making trending content and stuff. I post what I enjoy truly myself as well!

We have learned that you were invited to attend the 2023 SeoulCon and also were part of the Cosmetics and Beauty Expo 2023. Could you please share your experience of the event and what you have learned there? 

I have learned a lot from these events. I learned what goes behind the scenes, how much effort goes into producing great content and most importantly the importance of networking when it comes to professional life. I made great memories and also met amazing influencers who I never thought that I would see in real life hahaha.

You have been invited to attend the World K-Pop Festival, and that too from the front row. We noticed your enthusiasm for Jay Park. Can you share how you felt about meeting the artists in person and getting to attend their concert? 

World K-Pop festival was the part of SeoulCon festival. As I said, it feels surreal to be meeting them as I always saw them on screens. I am grateful to God for all of these blessings. 

Do you have any advice for someone travelling to South Korea for the first time with your own experience? 

For anyone travelling to South Korea for the first time, I would suggest not bringing a lot of clothes as they are cheap here, instead pack important stuff like spices as they are very expensive. Also don’t forget to bring your foundation if you are a dark skin person. It’s hard to find here. You can find the right shade but then they are for expensive product lines.

What are your future plans and aspirations in South Korea? During your time in Korea, what is something you are most grateful for? 

I don’t plan very ahead in future but yes, my immediate goal is to write a good thesis and graduate well on time. I am grateful to my friends and my family during my stay here even though they are in India. Without their emotional support, I don’t think I would have overcome all the struggles. 

With the growing popularity of the Hallyu wave in India, what message do you want to deliver to the fans reading the article or the budding individuals who admire the country and dream of visiting Korea? 

I would suggest looking at the broader picture if you are planning to come to Korea for a long period (not travel). Your aim to come to Korea should not be just meeting your idols and favourite actors. Consider Korea as a country which has its pros and cons. Try to see what matters to you and focus more on your career. Don’t choose a degree or job which you don’t like just because it is making you come to Korea.

On behalf of our entire team at Hallyuism, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Khushboo Shafi for taking out her valuable time for this interview. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and send lots of love!