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<\/a><\/p>\nBe confident<\/strong><\/p>\n Okay, so you\u2019re applying for the NCP. Brilliant! You\u2019ve made a great decision \u2013 be confident with it. The proverbial road to success is paved with a good dose of self-confidence. Being dedicated and committed is, truly, half the battle. This is your moment; believe it. Be realistic and take things as they come, but always be confident.<\/p>\n Get started now<\/strong><\/p>\n Survey your situation \u2013 what are you doing? What are your commitments? How do they reflect you and what you can bring to the table with your application? Could you get involved and start the process now, and grow as a result? It\u2019s never too late to begin a new experience, and the benefits are usually plural, not singular.<\/p>\n Study hard<\/strong><\/p>\n It might come as no surprise that academic achievements are highly valued and very important when it comes to overseas scholarship applications. It\u2019s no different with the NCP \u2013 putting in the hard yards now and into the future can only achieve positive results, and it provides the essential core basis for a good NCP application.<\/p>\n Do your research<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re hoping to work and study in a foreign country for a year and a half, it\u2019s probably best to know a fair bit about that country first. Do your research and find out where best suits your field of study and areas of interest \u2013 in your case, we\u2019re going to assume it\u2019s probably Indonesia. So put forward your case with a sound and informed research base, which will increase your chances of success.<\/p>\n Consider the bigger picture<\/strong><\/p>\n Another important aspect of your application doesn\u2019t actually focus on you, but rather on the wider, international community. The New Colombo Plan is all about forging institutional and business links between Australian and Asia-Pacific countries including Indonesia through study and internship scholarship components, and therefore it is vital to consider your potential contribution to that process. How can you make your field of interest stand out and potentially offer something to help larger-scale international engagement?<\/p>\n Isaac (right) with fellow Scholar Lachlan at the NCP Pre-Departure Briefing in Canberra. Photo: Isaac Bennett<\/p><\/div>\n Be succinct<\/strong><\/p>\n The word limit for the written application is fairly small so brevity is key. Ensure your list of experiences and achievements is exhaustive and let each speak for itself as much as possible.<\/p>\n Choose your referees wisely<\/strong><\/p>\n Obviously, ensure your referees are relevant and appropriate, but beyond that, choose whomever you think will reflect most accurately on you and your relevant qualities. Don\u2019t choose one academic referee and one non-academic referee if a second academic referee might know you better.<\/p>\n Seek help<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t hesitate to get in contact with previous NCP recipients at your university or to take advantage of the many helpful services likely available to you at your university. Your university has a great interest in your success in applying to the NCP and should be very eager to help.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t stress about the interview<\/strong><\/p>\n Do your best to relax before and during the interview \u2013 there is a limit to how prepared you can realistically be, so don\u2019t overthink it. Don\u2019t stress \u2013 the DFAT staff and interview panel are extremely friendly and reassuring. That said, the panel has to sit through the same interview repeatedly, so if they seem bored, bemused or generally unimpressed, remember that it\u2019s probably not your fault.<\/p>\n Get involved in AIYA<\/strong><\/p>\n Well, this goes without saying! Involvement in AIYA is an excellent start in living out your dedication to Australia\u2019s relationship with the region. We\u2019d like to think you\u2019d be keen to get involved anyway, but if you need extra incentive, it could potentially be a great help for your application.<\/p>\n A collection of NCP Scholars meeting Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.<\/p><\/div>\n To find out more about the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program, head over to the website<\/a>. Good luck!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program is an Australian Government initiative that facilitates student, business and institutional engagement at an international level by sending 100 Australian undergraduate students to […]<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>