Christy Un, a Macanese scholar, secured the highly competitive and fully funded Schwarzman Scholarship for a Master’s in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University by leveraging her academic background, leadership experiences, and strategic application preparation.
A Macanese scholar, Christy Un, has gained widespread recognition after securing the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University, Beijing.
Christy Un completed her undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), earning a BSc in Politics and International Relations with Upper Second-Class Honours. Her coursework included subjects such as China and the Global South, global public policy, and international organizations.
Before applying for the Schwarzman Scholars Program, she worked in ICT for development research at the United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau). This experience reinforced her interest in international development and motivated her to seek a master’s degree with a strong focus on China’s role in global affairs.
The Schwarzman Scholars Program is a one-year, fully funded leadership and master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University. With an acceptance rate of less than 5%, it selects up to 150 scholars worldwide each year. The scholarship covers tuition, travel expenses, housing, and living stipends, providing scholars with an immersive learning experience centered on leadership, China, and global affairs.
Christy began preparing for her application about a month before the deadline, drafting essays two weeks in advance. To strengthen her application, she reached out to academic and professional contacts for reference letters, providing them with a detailed slide deck outlining her motivations and the program’s key details.
In crafting her essays, she focused on highlighting her leadership experiences, including her role as a co-founder of a sustainable development advocacy NGO and her involvement in a student organization as a vice project lead. She also emphasized her work with UNHCR and UNU Macau, demonstrating her commitment to international development.
Christy structured her application around her vision of advancing sustainable development through digitalization and resource mobilization. She also strategically linked her motivations to specific courses offered in the Schwarzman Scholars Program, ensuring alignment with the program’s pillars: leadership, China, and global affairs.
Looking back, Christy noted that she wished she had started preparing her essays earlier and sought more feedback from peers and Schwarzman Scholars alumni. She emphasized the importance of self-belief, acknowledging that she initially doubted herself after reading the bios of previous scholars.
For future applicants, she advises seeking feedback from trusted friends and mentors who can help refine their narrative and strengths. She credits a supportive colleague and friend for encouraging her to apply and providing valuable feedback on her application. Interestingly, this same friend was later accepted into the program in the international scholars’ cycle, making them classmates.
Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring scholars, highlighting the importance of self-confidence, strategic preparation, and leveraging one’s unique experiences to secure prestigious scholarships.