UNS — UNS Global Challenge Program for the second batch 2021 held by the International Office Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta is opened until 20 July 2021. This program facilitates UNS students to acquire international experiences such as summer school and online courses. The complete information on the program is available in the @internationalofficeuns Instagram account. The program that started with an offline visit to foreign universities is now conducted online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On this occasion, uns.ac.id had an interview with two students that won batch 1 of UNS Global Challenge 2021, Dinda Karina Yohany from Interior Design Program Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD) and Lefri Mikhael from Law Science Program Faculty of Law (FH). Karin participated in an online short course held by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the US, for three months, while Lefri took Utrecht Summer School di Utrecht University, Netherlands. Karin’s program run from May to August 2021, while Lefri had completed his program on 5-9 July 2021.
REASON TO JOIN UNS GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Karin shared that she participated in the program because she wants to feel the learning atmosphere in global universities. Karin also said that she had tried the program at least three times before finally winning the funding. Her last failed attempt started with an invitation to research at Chiba University, Japan, which encouraged Karin to register for her first UNS Global Challenge. After finding a supervising professor, Letter of Acceptance (LoA), and learning Japanese, Karin was forced to bury her dream due to the pandemic.
At last, in her third attempt, Karin successfully secured funding to join an online short course held by MIT, a university ranked 1st in QS World University Ranking 2021. Besides the university ranking, the MIT architecture program, dubbed as the best globally, is another reason for Karin to pursue her education in the online short course. “I look for a program that matches with my courses. I found side planning and sustainable design. Then I selected sustainable design because it might become a topic for my final assignment or thesis. Thus, I study while preparing for thesis because I had learned side planning in my early semesters,” she explained.
Another awardee, Lefri, was also forced to bury his target due to the pandemic. He tried his luck for the first time in Global Challenge 2020 batch I. After completing the administrative selection and waiting for the interview, the pandemic struck, which forced Lefri’s program to be canceled due to uncertainty. Do not let his dream stop at that, Lefri tried again in the Batch I of Global Challenge 2021 and selected Utrecht Summer School following the previous awardee’s steps. His program discussed international human rights law, which matches Lefri’s interest. “I am interested in international human rights in a comprehensive and sharp discussion. Which makes me think, this is something we used to talk about but need to be studied further, that’s why I am interested in it,” he explained.
SELECTION PROCESS
From the awardee, the uns.ac.id team learned that there are two selection rounds in UNS Global Challenge, proposal selection, and interview. Karin explained that the proposal contains the description of the program, the objectives, reason to participate, funding, and LoA. After passing this stage, applicants will be invited into an interview to determine if their program is related to their focus of study. The interview was held in English through an online platform by the International Office (IO) UNS. After the announcement, the awardee will receive a briefing before starting their respective program.
TIPS AND TRICK
The awardee also shared their tips and tricks with uns.ac.id for other students interested in joining the Global Challenge UNS. Lefri emphasized that applicants need to understand what program they want to apply to. “Global Challenge covers courses from Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) like Coursera and edX. It was a summer school through the virtual meeting for my program, so I applied to the program first. So, we need to get LoA to show our serious intention to participate in Global Challenge,” Lefri explained.
Lefri also shared tips on what should be written in the proposal. He underlines the importance of personal values. The general information should show the value of applicants, for example, by mentioning the GPA, organizational experience, and other experiencing during the university years. Show that the applicant is a candidate who could use the opportunity through projects and organizational activities. “Comprehend the questions in the form. If we are serious and match our selected program, we will be indirectly motivated to win the Global Challenge,” he added.
Lefri’s tips for the interview are to fully understand the content of the proposal, the program, the reason to join, and the impact of the program on students, UNS, and the community. He added that applicants should have a strong answer to these questions. He also asked if he had experience with courses delivered in English during his interview. “I said, I have because I joined courses in Coursera and edX. This is a plus, in my opinion. As a candidate, at least we have experience listening to materials delivered in English,” he said.
Supporting Lefri’s explanation, Karin also emphasized that the key to winning is on the objective to participate in the program. Applicants should understand why they learn the program, for example, to support their final assignment or thesis or because it is in line with particular courses. “In my case, I asked my Head of Program. I asked if sustainable building design could be recognized as semester credit, and it could,” Karin explained.
Karin also explained that a discussion with teachers will increase applicant’s self-confidence and why the program is related to their focus of study in the university. During the interview, Karin stated that applicants should be confident, even though they lack in English. Participants should try to answer in English and not mixed their answers in Indonesian, stay calm and confident. “Set aside your insecurity, prepare your mind,” Karin said.
IMPRESSION AND TESTIMONIES
Both awardees stated that they were delighted with the program because they gained new knowledge and experience. Karin specifically mentioned that she was challenged when her online short course runs simultaneously with her midsemester examination, which demands her to manage her time wisely. Both awardees also reminded applicants that they should believe in themselves and not be afraid to make mistakes in using English during the interview.
“The interviewers are not native, so you don’t need to be afraid,” Lefri reminded.
Karin added further that all UNS students have a similar opportunity to join the program and that applicants should not be afraid to try. “Keep develop yourself, don’t give up, don’t be insecure, if not now, when? During your university years, try all the possibilities,” Karin concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti