Written by Aulia
Higher education is a crucial stepping stone towards achieving your dreams and as the world progresses, it has become far more accessible than ever before. Unfortunately, not every student was born into a privileged background. Many young students out there need more tools to facilitate their learning. They therefore require assistance to meet the same results as their more privileged peers. It’s not only about “what” one studies but the “where” seems to be a significant factor in determining one’s success, as a more prestigious environment would offer far more advanced facilities and a wider range of networks and opportunities. But don’t let financial or social issues discourage you from reaching your dreams, as there are many ways to ascend to higher education.
One is scholarships, a form of financial aid given to students based on criteria such as financial condition, region, achievements and passions, gender, and field of study/research. Then there are student exchange programs, which are educational initiatives that allow students from different countries to study at each other's institutions for a period of time, typically one semester to one year. Governments or private institutions/organizations typically grant these aids to gifted students. Receiving them would require a lengthy and competitive selection process normally consisting of essay writing and interviews. Through these financial aids, millions of students are relieved of the financial burden of their studies each year. These programs open up doors to so many opportunities that students may not have had otherwise. So if you’re interested in applying for scholarships or student exchange programs, here are a few recommendations:
LPDP
Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) is an Indonesian government agency responsible for managing education endowment funds and providing financial support for students in Indonesia under the Ministry of Finance. According to the official website, The Regular Scholarship scheme offers financial aid for pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, is exclusively available for Indonesian citizens, and follows the mechanisms and procedures set by LPDP. This scholarship covers application, tuition, book, and research fees. As well as additional expenses such as arrival costs, monthly living costs, visa application, health insurance, transportation, international competition fees, and emergency funds. However, all recipients of this scholarship will be required to return to Indonesia immediately after completing their degree and contribute back to the country twice the length of their study period plus one year (2n+1).
BIM
Beasiswa Indonesia Maju (BIM) is a scholarship program given to students/graduates with excellent academic or non-academic achievements. This program consists of a) a degree scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate levels carried out by Pusat Layanan Pembiayaan Pendidikan and b) a non-degree option, the Overseas Undergraduate Preparation Program carried out by Pusat Prestasi Nasional. Similar to the LPDP regular scholarship, BIM covers the main tuition and application fees as well as additional expenses. The non-degree program targets high-achieving 11th graders and will prepare said students for overseas university applications to several top universities in America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
FULBRIGHT
Grant by the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF) for Indonesian citizens looking to pursue graduate degrees or advanced research in US universities. According to the US Embassy and Consulate on Indonesia’s official website, the Fulbright program was started over 70 years ago and has helped 3000+ Indonesians study, teach, and conduct research in other countries. This program is eligible for those conducting research in a variety of fields such as humanities, arts, and social sciences, as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Benefits include visa support, covered costs of air travel, tuition, and health or emergency insurance. Recipients of this grant must be willing to return to Indonesia and work for at least 5 years upon completion of their studies.
MEXT
Monbukagakusho or MEXT is an academic scholarship offered by the Japanese government, more specifically the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science, and Technology. The Undergraduate program (GAKUBU) offers high school graduates an opportunity to continue their education to the undergraduate level in Japanese state universities. Applicants will have to meet certain requirements and submit several documents in a nearly year-long selection process. This scholarship is open to those looking to study both the fields of natural and social sciences. The scholarship covers the tuition, plane ticket, student visa, and living allowance of ¥117.000/month and without service ties.
IISMA
Indonesian International Mobility Awards or IISMA for short is a program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology that allows Indonesian undergraduate and vocational students to study for one semester abroad in some of the best universities in the world. With nearly 2000 awardees going to 126 host universities in 28 countries, IISMA aims to develop students’ cross-cultural appreciation and understanding, preparing a new generation of global citizens who are ready to contribute to society and the world. IISMA has held ties with universities all around Asia, Europe, America, and Australia & New Zealand, some of them include Yale, UPenn, NUS, Taipei Medical University, University of Melbourne, UNSW, UCL, Durham University, and so many more. With alumni of this program forming a unique bond through the IISMA Alumni Club founded in 2022.
SEJUTA CITA
Sejuta Cita Future Leaders is a fully-funded leadership trip to Japan, Korea, and the US. As a prize for essay, quiz, and case-study competitions held by SejutaCita. It is open to all Indonesian students aged 13-35 years old and is designed to expose participants to international leadership experience and opportunities. A 6-day event consisting of cultural trips to tourist attractions and campus visits. Other benefits include e-certificate, transport, and internship opportunities. The competition selects the best of the best and aims to cultivate personal growth through soft skills, organizational skills, and independence.
ROTARY
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is a cultural exchange program that allows students to learn a new language, experience a different culture, and become global citizens. Thanks to this affordable scholarship program, about 10,000 students can study overseas each year. Rotary International has been in charge of the program for more than 40 years. Students will study abroad for a full academic year with room and board provided for them. School fees are generally covered but students are responsible for round-trip airfare, travel insurance, and documents. The program's main objective is to give young people the chance to engage in cross-cultural contact and grow into leaders who advance international harmony and understanding.
References:
www.collinsdictionary.com (n.d.). Definition of 'exchange student' in American English. [online] Available at: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/exchange-student
www.scholarshipportal.com (n.d.). Scholarships: all you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.scholarshipportal.com/article/scholarships-all-you-need-to-know
lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id (2024). Regular Scholarship 2024. [online] Available at: https://lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/en/beasiswa/umum/beasiswa-reguler-2024/
bim-pusatprestasinasional.kemdikbud.go.id (2023). BEASISWA INDONESIA MAJU PROGRAM PERSIAPAN S1 LUAR NEGERI ANGKATAN 4. [online] Available at: https://bim-pusatprestasinasional.kemdikbud.go.id/tentang
www.aminef.or.id (2023). Fulbright Scholarships. [online] Available at: https://www.aminef.or.id/grants-for-indonesians/fulbright-programs/scholarship/
id.usembassy.gov (n.d.). Program Fulbright. [online] Available at: https://id.usembassy.gov/id/education-culture-id/program-fulbright-id/
www.id.emb-japan.go.jp (2023). Program Undergraduate (GAKUBU) 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/sch_gakubu2024.html
iisma.kemdikbud.go.id (n.d.). Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards. [online] Available at: https://iisma.kemdikbud.go.id/
dealls.com (n.d.). SejutaCita Future Leaders Chapter 7. [online] Available at: https://dealls.com/sfl
www.rotary.org (n.d.). Rotary Youth Exchange. [online] Available at: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges
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