UNAIR NEWS – Amid the rapid flow of globalization era, students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) are making their mark on the international scene. The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program serves as an essential platform for students to gain valuable cross-cultural learning experiences. Among them is Roger Dacosta, a student from UNAIR’s Faculty of Humanities (FIB), who has been selected to study at the University of Warsaw in Poland.

Dacosta will be studying in Poland from September to December. With a background in English Language and Literature, he chose to focus on international relations as the first step toward his aspiration of becoming a diplomat. “I have always been fascinated by international relations and politics, even though my academic background is in literature. This interest grew stronger as I frequently participated in Model United Nations (MUN) conferences during my studies,” he explained.

He selected the University of Warsaw due to its strong reputation in international relations, aligning with the field he aims to specialize in.

New experience

During his time in the IISMA program, Dacosta has gained numerous new experiences, which he considers crucial for fostering an appreciation of differences in the future. He has set his sights on a diplomatic career.

“As an English Literature student, language proficiency alone is not enough. I feel the need to understand international relations in depth. That’s why I chose courses related to this field at the University of Warsaw,” he stated.

Dacosta also emphasized the importance of grasping international relations theories in achieving his ambitions. “I want to better understand political dynamics and the relationships between countries, particularly Indonesia’s relations with other nations. This is a crucial step toward realizing my dream of becoming an Indonesian diplomat in the future,” he explained.

Upon completing this program, Dacosta hopes to expand his interdisciplinary knowledge and build broader international connections. “I intend to apply the insights I gain from this experience to forums such as MUN conferences, where such knowledge is invaluable for representing Indonesia on the global stage,” he concluded.

Author: Aidatul Fitriyah

Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin