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Scholar Chit Chat

The podcast

Every episode

Scholars, alumni, and admissions insiders on how they applied and got funded.

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2025

Episode · 23 August 2025 · 38 min

Securing the DAAD EPOS Scholarship to study in Germany

In this episode, we sit down with Omobolanle, a Nigerian graduate student at the University of Göttingen, Germany, and an EP-SDA scholar pursuing her Master’s in Development Economics.

DAAD (Germany)

Episode · 9 August 2025 · 65 min

Writing a winning Statement of Purpose

In this special episode, Jo’an and Goodness chat with Ojonugwa, a PhD scholar at the University of Edinburgh, to unpack the art of writing powerful Statements of Purpose, personal statements, and motivational letters…

Statement of purpose · Research proposal

Episode · 12 July 2025 · 38 min

Securing the GCUB Scholarship to study in Brazil

In this inspiring episode of ScholarChitChat, Ade joins Joan to share how UK rejection led him to a life-changing scholarship opportunity in Brazil.

GCUB (Brazil) · Rejection

Episode · 28 June 2025 · 35 min

Securing the Skoltech University Scholarship in Russia

In this episode we chat with a Tanzanian aeronautical engineer, Swahibath who shares her amazing story of getting a fully funded scholarship to Skoltech University in Russia.

Russia · Interviews · Funding

Episode · 14 June 2025 · 32 min

Securing the MTCP Scholarship to Study in Malaysia

Alson, a computer science student from Eswatini, detailed his journey to securing the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) scholarship, a fully funded opportunity covering tuition, return airfare, and a…

MTCP (Malaysia) · Funding

Episode · 31 May 2025 · 41 min

Securing the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for your Undergraduate Studies

In this episode, Emma-Claire recounts her inspiring journey from Cameroon to Canada, where she pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC) through the prestigious Mastercard Foundation…

Mastercard Foundation · Vanier / Canada

Episode · 17 May 2025 · 46 min

Overcoming Rejection and Building Self Confidence

Listen in to gain insights on how to handle rejection and move forward to achieve your goal

In this episode of Scholar Chit Chat, host Joan interviews Ayansewa Adedeji, a current PhD student at Florida State University who shares his journey of overcoming numerous scholarship rejections.

Interviews · Research proposal

Episode · 3 May 2025 · 56 min

The Real Application Experience

What does it really take to navigate the world of scholarships and grad school applications?

Rejection

Episode · 19 April 2025 · 23 min

Applying For Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT)

All you need to know to stand a winning chance for an undergraduate or postgraduate scholarship in Japan

In this episode of Scholar ChitChat, host Jo’an interviews Lucky Ayodeji Awe, a Nigerian student who successfully navigated the Japanese government scholarship (MEXT) process.

MEXT (Japan) · Interviews · Rejection

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