Matthew Knowles, 30, from the United States received a full Chinese Government Scholarship for a one-year performing arts program at the Beijing Film Academy in 2013.

I first learned about the scholarship from my friend, Grant. We met while filming a TV show in China, and he told me that he was the first Caucasian to study in the performing arts program at China's Central Academy of Drama.

He was on a full government scholarship there. I told Grant about my background in film, and he recommended that I apply for a scholarship for the BFA because no non-Asian had ever graduated from the acting program there.

He explained that the China Scholarship Council's website was where you applied. The process was very confusing, and no government agency or worker was knowledge-able or helpful.

I relied on an online message board where past students had written down their very troubled and confused experiences. I figured everyone was in the same boat, so I just filled out the application and sent it in.

If you ask me why I was accepted, I would say maybe it was luck. I don't have a clue how they determine eligibility for the scholarship.

I had passed the fifth level of the Chinese proficiency test more than a year before applying. I also included my acting resume with my credits and links to online videos showing my Chinese ability and acting experience in both Hollywood and China.

When I arrived at the BFA, some of the teachers had seen me on TV and were excited to meet me. I do not know if my past work and reputation as an anchorman in Sichuan province helped me to receive the scholarship, but I have a feeling that it did.

If I have any advice for future applicants, it is: attach as much information about your relevant education and experience as you can. Sit back and cross your fingers and say a prayer.

Continue your life as if you never applied, and if you are then notified that you have received a scholarship, jump with excitement and treat your new yuanzhang (director) to dinner.

(China Daily 02/27/2015 page6)