In 2023, I was honored to be selected as one of only five Informatics students from Universitas Ciputra, and among just 25 students nationwide, to receive the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA). This fully funded scholarship, initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, gave me the opportunity to study for one semester at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), one of Asia's leading universities. I was the sole representative from my university chosen to attend NTU.
The path to this achievement was both challenging and transformative. I had to navigate several crucial steps, including securing my first passport under tight deadlines, drafting four in-depth essays, and preparing for the Duolingo English Test. Despite limited initial preparation, I achieved a score of 150 by practicing consistently and immersing myself in English through reading and writing.
Advancing to the interview stage tested my confidence and resilience. While I knew my communication skills still had room for improvement, I gave my best effort, and my perseverance was rewarded with acceptance to NTU.
Studying in Singapore exposed me to a world-class academic environment, diverse cultural perspectives, and collaborative learning experiences that broadened my knowledge far beyond the classroom. The journey reinforced the value of persistence, adaptability, and continuous learning.