Hi, Ilkomers! Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to sit in a classroom with students from various countries, learn communication issues from a global perspective, or experience the academic atmosphere of a foreign campus? That opportunity turns out not to be just a dream. Several students from the Communication Science Program (Ilkom) at Unpad have succeeded in gaining that experience. Three of them are Risna Putri Khairunnisa, Diva Nauli Maharani, and Vanilla Verushka.
Risna Putri Khairunnisa, better known as Risna, is one of the awardees of IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) 2024 who had the opportunity to study at the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States. She enrolled in courses related to media, which is the field she wanted to explore more deeply.
Her journey to becoming an awardee did not happen instantly. Risna began from the very first step, which was filling out her biodata, writing three essays, and taking the National Insight Test. After completing those stages, she underwent an online interview that determined whether she was eligible for the program.
After being declared accepted, her efforts did not stop there. She had to prepare for her departure over the course of three to four months. This included travel documents, academic preparation, and cultural adaptation. She went through all these processes enthusiastically because, for her, the chance to experience cross-cultural learning is an invaluable experience.
Unlike Risna, Diva Nauli Maharani, or Diva, joined IISMA through the Co-Funding scheme and chose Hanyang University as her study destination. She focused on media communication and took several courses such as Consumer Behavior and Content Creation, Digital Marketing, Culture of Korea and the Korean Wave, and Introduction to Business Analytics.
According to Diva, the key to applying for IISMA lies in document readiness and mastering an English Proficiency Test. She prepared for IELTS by using blogs, YouTube, and attending language courses. In addition, writing essays was the most decisive part. Diva emphasized the importance of self-awareness, highlighting personal strengths, and maintaining authenticity in writing.
Diva was also proactive in seeking feedback from IISMA alumni. She asked for essay feedback, inquired about student life abroad, and even did mock interviews with seniors who had prior experience. For her, having the courage to ask questions and being open to guidance is an essential step in the selection process.
However, IISMA is not the only pathway to studying abroad. Vanilla Verushka’s journey was not through a major competitive program. She received the opportunity through direct information shared by the head of the Communication Science study program at Unpad. At that time, Rikkyo University in Japan was opening a partnership with Unpad for a student exchange. At Rikkyo, Vanilla enrolled in the College of Intercultural Communication, but her course choices were not limited to that college. She took advantage of this flexibility by enrolling in courses from various fields, such as Japanese Language Education and the College of Business. This freedom allowed her to broaden her academic experience.
The administrative process was also quite different. After receiving the announcement from the study program head, Vanilla went through a selection process. This included preparing a motivation letter and English CV, submitting her academic transcript and recommendation letter, and attending an interview session. Interestingly, this program did not require TOEFL or IELTS, making it an open opportunity for students who wished to apply but had not yet taken a language test. However, Vanilla mentioned that the quota was limited to only two students, making the competition relatively tight. She emphasized the importance of actively seeking information. “It’s better to go directly to Unpad’s International Office at the rectorate to ask questions. If you wait for information to come to you, it usually won’t,” she said.
The experiences of Risna, Diva, and Vanilla align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, Quality Education, which promotes inclusive learning and international academic opportunities. Through their involvement in student exchange programs, they demonstrate how education can serve as a gateway to understanding the world more broadly. Additionally, the collaboration between Unpad and various universities in Japan, South Korea, and other countries reflects the spirit of Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals, which highlights the importance of global cooperation in enhancing the quality of higher education. Hopefully, the journeys of Risna, Diva, and Vanilla will encourage Ilkomers to become more motivated and interested in exploring opportunities to continue their studies abroad.
Building Inspiration through Students’ Innovation and Knowledge Vol #8