Name: Chavi Dagar
University: Pusan National University, Busan
Course: Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Location: Korea
Key Highlights:
- Korea’s research-driven education system provides better funding, lab facilities, and hands-on clinical research compared to India.
- The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) fully covers tuition, living expenses, and relocation costs, making studying in Korea more affordable than in Western countries.
- Ph.D. programs in Korea are structured with fixed research publication requirements, ensuring a clear timeline for completion.
- Learning Korean before moving helps with adaptation, as cultural and language barriers can be challenging for new students.
(February 28, 2025) Growing up as a fauji kid, Chavi Dagar moved locations frequently which kept her curious and adaptable. This very curiosity led to her learn Korean online during the lockdown and eventually took her to Korea for her Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Pusan National University in Busan on a 100 percent scholarship. The Global Korea Scholarship covers her tuition fee, tickets, insurance and 1.3 million won (approx. ₹80,000) monthly allowance. “We also receive a settlement allowance when relocating to Korea, which helps cover initial expenses and ease the transition into the new country,” she tells Global Indian.
Chavi Dagar
With her father serving in the Indian Air Force, she grew up across different parts of the country. After finishing her graduation, Chavi moved to Hyderabad for her master’s in pharmaceutics, and bagged a job while working on her thesis. However, she soon realised that opportunities for women were limited in the field and pivoted towards clinical research in early 2020.
Discovering Korea’s Research Potential
This landed her a job in IQVIA, a leading global provider of clinical research services. While working on a project, she received multiple clinical trial reports from across Korea. “That’s when I realised that they were making significant strides in cancer and HIV research. Despite being a small country, major companies have set up operations there, proving that Korea has good talent and opportunities,” says Chavi, who was already on a lookout for her Ph.D.
“The US was my first preference but the time frame for completing the Ph.D is very unpredictable. It might take 7 years or more. However, in Korea, one can finish their Ph.D in four years.” This was yet another reason that led Chavi to pursue her Ph.D from Korea, along with the fact that studying in Korea is more affordable than most Western countries. “I have seen many of my friends take hefty loans, and juggle part-time jobs just to repay them. It’s too exhausting for a student.”
Choosing the Right University and Scholarship
Before applying for her Ph.D, Chavi did thorough research on various parameters and shortlisted the top universities in Korea relevant to her field, along with considering faculty expertise and living expenses. While narrowing down her options, she realised that Seoul’s high cost of living would make it difficult to manage within the limited monthly scholarship allowance. As a result, she chose Busan, which offered a more affordable alternative to the capital.
Pusan National University
Application Process: Embassy vs. University Track
After zeroing in on Pusan National University, Chavi applied for the Global Korea scholarship. The application process follows two tracks: the Embassy track and the University track. Through the Embassy track, students can apply to only three universities.
“The application requires submitting certificates and educational transcripts from bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with four sets of each. One set is sent to the embassy in India, if approved, the application is forwarded to the three chosen universities, leading to interviews,” explains Chavi. However, she opted for the University track, as she was certain about her choice of university.
Preparing the Perfect Application
A month before the application forms were out, Chavi began reaching out to professors at various universities in Korea whose work intrigued her. She received a response from a professor at Pusan National University, who, impressed by her CV, was willing to recommend her for the scholarship. “I received an acceptance letter from him, which serves as a green card for the application,” says Chavi.
For her application, Chavi submitted her educational transcripts, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, study plan, personal statement, academic recommendation letters from professors, extracurricular activity certificates, birth certificate, passport, and her parents’ passports. “You can also visit the StudyinKorea for guidelines and FAQs,” she reveals, who joined the university in 2023.
Adjusting to Life in Korea
Having moved around a bit, adaptability comes easier to the 31-year-old. However, moving to Korea was a different ball game for Chavi. “Everything is new, especially the cultural nuances, landscape and food.” But her beginner’s level Korean came in handy at her arrival in Busan. “I was intrigued by Korean, thanks to K-dramas and K-Pop and started learning the language during the lockdown,” says Chavi. It gave her an edge over other students who landed without any prior knowledge of the language.
“The locals are kind and helpful and Busan’s weather is a plus point. However, food can be an issue, especially for a vegetarian. There aren’t many options. Also vegetables are limited and fruits are expensive. Eating out is much cheaper than cooking at home.”
Cultural Diversity and Language Learning
It’s been one and a half years since Chavi arrived in Korea, and happy to be a part of a rich cultural diversity. “We have people from over 40 nationalities and meeting people from different countries helped broaden my perspective on life.” The first year was Korean language program, which she calls an enriching experience. “You not only learn the language but you experience Korean culture through field trips, workshops on calligraphy or taekwondo or cooking. It’s a beautiful cultural exchange. It helped me evolve as a person and made me more confident.”
A Research-Oriented Study Culture
Now in her second semester of the Ph.D, Chavi realised that the study culture is very different. “Pursuing Ph.D in India focuses on the submission of the thesis. In Korea, every university has fixed guidelines which include submitting two research articles apart from 10 impact factor journals,” says Chavi, adding, “In India, clinical research is mostly limited to theory due to a lack of labs, substantial research funding, and resources. While institutions like NITs and IITs have better facilities, not everyone can secure admission there. In contrast, Korea has a strong research-oriented approach, backed by government funding and grants from major companies.”
Companies often work with university labs, providing funding, modern equipment, and important materials for research. “At our university, we have only a few classes and presentations—most of our time is dedicated to hands-on research. More than the textbooks, they rely on research papers for classes.”
Life on Campus
She calls the chemistry department at her university as a “mini India”, however, she doesn’t have many Indians in her department. “We have students from Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Japan. In my lab, we have eight Koreans and five foreign nationals.”
Chavi thinks the campus is the best part of her university. It is in the coastal city of Busan and surrounded by mountains, making it a beautiful and peaceful place. “You feel connected to nature, and stepping out of the lab into the outdoors is very therapeutic. Plus, there are so many beaches.” She also finds the locals kind and welcoming.
Chavi advises students planning to study in Korea to be well-prepared and mindful of their responsibilities. “Remember, the locals fund our scholarships through their taxes, so it’s important to be hardworking, sincere, and responsible. We must uphold India’s reputation in a highly competitive environment. To make the most of this opportunity, you need to put in extra effort and stay dedicated,” she concludes.
