UNAIR NEWS – Safira Aulia Pramudita, a student from the Faculty of Law Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), describes her learning opportunity at Universiti Malaya as an invaluable experience. Fondly known as Fira, she enrolled in Gender Studies and International Relations at the leading university in Malaysia.
This golden opportunity was granted through a scholarship, Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) by the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education. She studies for a semester from Oct 2023 to Feb 2024.
“This marks my second attempt in the IISMA program. Last year, I didn’t pass, but I leveraged the experience to evaluate my shortcomings and improve my chances to pass the IISMA,” she said.
Studying Gender
Fira shared her enriching experience at Universiti Malaya, particularly in the field of gender studies. Unlike the conventional lecture-based approach in Indonesia, she notes the diverse learning methods employed abroad.
Students are engaged in activities beyond classroom sessions, including visits to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Exhibitions, traditional gender-related performances, film reviews, and more.
“We visited the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Exhibition, where the lecturer tasked us with observation and writing an essay about it. We also showcased traditional Indonesian dances and songs, contributing to the cultural exchange,” she shared.
Safira Aulia Pramudita with other IISMA awardees at Universiti Malaya. (Photo: By courtesy)
Doing her best
Fira underscores the valuable lessons acquired through IISMA, emphasizing the significance of consistently performing at one’s best in any situation. This mindset was particularly tested when Fira discovered that she was the sole awardee enrolled in the Politics and Government course in Southeast Asia.
Despite initially feeling like an outsider, she chose to seize the chance to engage and build connections with students from local and international backgrounds.
“My decision to stick with this course turned out to be one of the best choices. It expanded my perspective not just through the course material, but also by connecting me with incredible classmates,” shared the Surabaya native.
Sharing tips for IISMA selection
In the end, Fira shared three essential tips for aspiring IISMA candidates. Firstly, she advised students to gather as much information as possible about IISMA, covering English language test preparations, mentoring programs, and IISMA webinars.
Secondly, she emphasized the significance of cultivating a strong personal brand, given that IISMA looks for students capable of being liaisons between Indonesia and their respective destination countries. Therefore, personal branding matters.
Lastly, Fira underscored the significance of self-confidence. Awardees often request their colleagues to proofread their personal essays and make them less confident.
“I believe essays should be personal. While I don’t recommend avoiding proofreading altogether, it’s essential to filter and discern the feedback you receive,” concluded Fira. (*)
Author: Rafli Noer Khairam
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
