Life is easy for a scientist at GIST

Folusho Francis Ajayi is a Nigerian environmental science PhD student at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). He uses Francis when he is abroad because it's easier for people to pronounce. Francis has been studying at GIST since February and plans to stay in Gwangju the next three years to complete the PhD programme.

Francis has travelled and studied abroad in the past. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in Nigeria, He received a Master's of Science degree in Biotechnology from the University of Westminster in London. The decision to study first in the UK and now in Korea was driven by the lack of research facilities in his chosen field in Nigeria. When researching a suitable PhD programme to enroll in, the most important criteria were availability of research facilities and scholarships. The scholarship proviso was important, as Francis wanted to direct his full attention to research, not on finding an income stream to fund his studies. Obtaining a position in such a PhD programme is very difficult as the number of students applying far outstrips the availability of places. Most universities only have 20 or less PhD positions each year. It is even harder for a foreign student to gain admission because most schools give first priority to students applying from their own country and are guaranteed by the government to cover financial cost of studying. Francis views this skewed system as being unfair; universities should primarily be focused on fostering research irrespective of colour, creed, or religion.

After investigating many options, Francis chose GIST for a number of reasons. GIST accords all students with the same respect and attention irrespective of their origins. GIST provided a full scholarship releasing Francis of financial burden while he completed the programme. Korea is in a part of the world Francis never been to before, and the idea of experiencing a totally different culture was an attractive one.

So far, Francis has enjoyed his time here in Korea and he has had a lot of fun. He admits that he did struggle a bit initially but now the good far outweighs the bad. Despite some culture shock and loneliness at the start, the Korean experience has been very positive. Life for Francis revolves around GIST, and the care and attention the institution has provided him has greatly enhanced the experience here.

Francis feels that GIST takes exceptional care of its students. He is very impressed by the GIST way. First and foremost, the lack of discrimination between foreign and local students is a welcome surprise. The advisors and professors are all very helpful; the facilities are wonderful stocked with the best equipment. Travel to conferences and to visit labs across the globe is encouraged with the school paying for everything. Compared to other institutions, the student life is easy at GIST, as the students do not have to carry a financial burden on their backs. While the research process is taxing on occasion, not having to worry about expenses or about funding takes a significant amount of pressure off.

Although Francis has noticed some astonished stares at his skin colour; he feels that Koreans are very friendly people. To date he has not felt any form of discrimination here in Korea. Other than the extreme homogeneity of Korean society and the resulting lack of multiculturalism, Francis has thoroughly enjoyed his Korean sojourn.
Every day is a new learning experience for Francis. He can already read Korean and is learning to speak the language. He has even learned to identify the difference between fresh and old Kimchi. He likes the taste of fresh Kimchi.

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