Hi I am Evita. The titled above was taken from one Chinese proverb (if I am not mistaken). The first time I saw the proverb was on my lecture lab when I was in bachelor degree. I always remember the proverb because it's meaningful in some ways. Then, several years later I used it for my first post on my blog. Why? Is there any correlation between blogging and the proverb? Yes it does.
Blogging is something new for me though I knew it a couple years ago but I never really interest to do so till I was 'forced' to do so. I was granted to get scholarship from Ministry of National Educational of Republic Indonesia for accomplishing the master degree program at Bogor Agricultural University and Georg-August-University of Goettingen.
Here's the story:
MY VISION BOARD
Study abroad and entering higher education is always become one of my dreams and goals in life. I remember that I always put it on my vision board. The first time I was told to make a vision board is when I was attending an ABC training at my previous employer (AIA Financial). Although its used for training purposed only, I do put my goals seriously. Then several days after the training, I decided to make the real vision board of my life. I put it on the wall in my small room at the boarding house in Karawaci, Tangerang.
My vision board was divided into several part which is love and family (I also put wedding ring picture on that part), education, journey, and of course financial goals. I often saw it in the morning before I dressed up. But I don't think that it will soon become dreams come true. After almost a year, then I am married with my beloved husband in 2009. Then soon after my son born on 6th May 2010, my supervisor when I was in bachelor degree called me. His name is Pak Suharno. He was asked me whether I still have desired to get my master degree or not because there's chance to join the new master degree program at Bogor Agricultural University, which is Master Science of Agribusiness, with scholarship from Ministry of National Education of Republic Indonesia. Since going to master and doctoral degree is one of great desire on my life, I decided to joined the program as soon as my husband and my parents agree and approved my request.
GETTING STARTED WITH BEASISWA UNGGULAN
The requirements to get the scholarship are very simple. The main points are:
First, we need to be enrolled at a university.
Second, we should have minimum GPA 3.25 and certificate of minimum Institutional TOEFL 500, have recommendation from our lecture or boss/employer, and
Third, we need to fulfill the application form of Beasiswa Unggulan. The application form itself can be downloaded at beasiswaunggulan.kemdiknas.go.id.
Though the requirements are simple but still there are several procedures that I should handle, meanwhile I have some constraints to finished those things. Mainly because I need to breastfeed my son and I must go back to work at AIA Financial in Karawaci. Fortunately, I have so many kind people to help me for example like Mba Yuni and Kadek. I know both of them when I was in bachelor degree. They help me to arrange everything done related to the registration process to Bogor Agricultural University. I am grateful to have so many kind friends.
After doing TOEFL test, medical test and soon registered to Bogor Agricultural University then I am waiting for the scholarship announcement. Alhamdulillah, I was officially get the Beasiswa Unggulan from International Cooperation Bureau, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of National Education on the middle of 2009.
MSA
MSA stands for Magister Sains Agribisnis or in English it would be Master Science of Agribusiness. This program was formed by several lectures on Agribusiness Department of Bogor Agricultural University. The chairman of the program is Mrs. Prof. Dr. Ir. Rita Nurmalina, MS and the secretary of the program is Mr. Dr. Ir. Suharno, M.Adev. The vision of the program is to become one of the most prestigious and trusted postgraduate program in agribusiness with holistic view and sustainable economic development orientated in order to achieve better welfare for all human being.
The class itself started on 23 August 2010. It was general lecture and the speaker is Mr. Mahfud MD, chairman of Constitution Court of Republic Indonesia. I forgot the topic but I do impressed to his speech. He was able to connecting his background on to postgraduate education and agriculture eventhough not too deep.
MY ACADEMIC NOTES
I only took four courses on the 1st semester, three compulsory courses and one elective course. I didn't get a good GPA at this semester. There are several reasons I can mentioned. First, I am still new mom and second my husband just go back to Indonesia on October 2010 after he completed his master on International Relationship at Webster University in Leiden, Netherland. So, the main point is I can't balanced my life yet at that moment. Fortunately, I am still save by the bell because my GPA was still passed the minimum requirement.
On the 2nd semester, I also took four courses because my GPA is under 3,50 so maximum courses I can take are only four. Then, I decided to take all the compulsory courses. Alhamdulillah, there's a major improvement on my study. I get perfect GPA for the 2nd semester, so the total GPA is above the 3,50. So, I still have chance to continue into doctoral degree someday.
THE JOURNEY BEGIN
Beasiswa Unggulan that I've been granted was design for a double degree program. MSA has made a cooperation with Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Germany. But the scholarship to enrolled at University of Goettingen can't be valid for all Beasiswa Unggulan receiver at my class because we have nine persons on the group but one of us has decided not to join the double degree program. She decided to completed her study in Indonesia due to personal consideration. So, only eight person left who still struggling to get the chance to be able to study in Germany.
Actually, there are two person who have already get their 'ticket' to Germany because they already got their TOEFL score above 550. But, Mr. Abe and Mr. Andriyono from the Ministry of National Education offered another alternative for eight of us so that we can studying in Germany by applying for Beasiswa Unggulan from Directorate General of Higher Education. The fund itself are using the debt swap program fund. And then, eight of us attended the selection on 21 July 2011. The result was sent through our e-mail on 4 August 2011 and my name is there. Alhamdulillah...seven of us were successfully selected and one of us was not but fortunately she still able to go to Germany since she got the scholarship from International Cooperation Bureau.
And now...I've already arrived in Goettingen and the real journey and its survival will begin.
amazing...sangat menginspirasi
BalasHapus