UNAIR NEWS – Muhammad Raiyan Fajri, an Accounting student at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), has been selected to study at the University of Groningen through the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA). IISMA is a government scholarship program that provides Indonesian students with the opportunity to study at top foreign universities. Fajri will spend about one semester at the University of Groningen as an IISMA awardee.
Fajri’s motivation
Fajri revealed that his main motivation for joining the IISMA program was to study business developments in Europe, particularly in innovation management and public policy. “As a student of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), I am very interested in learning about business developments in Europe, including innovation management and public policy, which differ from those in Indonesia,” he explained.
He also wanted to engage in cultural exchange with the international community, especially in the culinary field, as he has a passion for cuisine. He aims to introduce Indonesian culinary culture and learn about Dutch culinary practices.
“I want to introduce various aspects of Indonesian culture, such as cuisine and dance, which may not be widely known. It aligns with my culinary hobby, allowing for cultural exchange while learning about Dutch cultural aspects,” he added.
Sharing tips
Fajri encountered various challenges during the IISMA application process. He mentioned that he began preparation in advance, particularly for the English proficiency test. In addition to the language test, he devoted significant time to essay writing. This year, participants were required to write four essays on different topics, with assessment criteria including essay content and grammar.
“Procrastinating on essay writing can be less effective. By starting early, you can avoid rushing and have time to revise,” he explained.
Administrative preparations, such as obtaining a police clearance certificate and a drug-free certificate, are also crucial. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the schedule and deadlines for submitting documents as stipulated by IISMA. “Although these documents usually don’t take long to process, late submission can impact your application. Therefore, it’s best to handle these documents early,” Fajri advised.
After passing the initial selection, IISMA participants must undergo an interview. He stressed the importance of interview preparation, both in terms of personal readiness and punctuality.
“While GPA and English test scores are critical in the initial assessment, I believe essays and interviews are the final determining factors in the selection process. Therefore, make sure to fully utilize and excel in these stages,” he stated.
Fajri also acknowledged that peer support can be beneficial during the selection process. “I think seeking help from friends for interview practice, essay correction, and other IISMA mentoring programs will greatly aid your preparation,” he concluded.
Author: Annisa Nabila
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
