The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA)
The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) is a prestigious scholarship program for undergraduate students, awarded by the Indonesian government. This highly sought-after scholarship attracts many students from all universities in Indonesia, and is open for registration around March and April each year. In this article, we will explore the experience of Irene Maura, a IISMA awardee from 2022, and her tips for preparing and winning the scholarship.
Early Preparation is Key
Irene Maura, a psychology student from IUP Psychology UGM Batch 2020, started preparing for the IISMA scholarship early in December 2022. She wanted to avoid any disturbance to her studies in semester 4, and also to ensure she had enough time to prepare all the necessary requirements.
Forecast the Documents Requirements
Maura started by taking an IELTS preparation course and renewing her passport, as these are essential requirements for the scholarship application. She also made sure she was aware of all other document requirements for the scholarship, so that she could prepare them well in advance.
Decide on the Right University Host
In her opinion, choosing the right university host is key to success. Maura prioritized the courses offered by the university host, and chose courses that were interesting and new to her. She wanted to use this opportunity to explore her curiosity and not just for formality.
Essay and Interview is Your Spotlight
The essay and interview are an important part of the IISMA selection process, and cannot be neglected. When preparing her essay, Maura answered the questions with short points and then expanded on them. She wrote the answers first in short form to avoid "out of context" answers, and then structured them in a more elaborate form while making sure to stay within the word limit.
During the interview, Maura emphasized the importance of making sure that your answers relate to the essay that you have written. She advised that the essay is your own, and you should not compare it to others. Your purpose during the interview is to show and deliver the context to the interviewer(s).
Final Thoughts
Maura concluded that preparing for the IISMA scholarship takes time and dedication, but it is worth it in the end. She encouraged students to start preparing early, so that they have enough time to put together a strong application and increase their chances of winning the scholarship.
In conclusion, the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) is a great opportunity for undergraduate students in Indonesia to pursue their studies abroad. By following the tips from Irene Maura, an IISMA awardee, you can increase your chances of winning the scholarship and achieving your dreams.
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