Depok-Indonesian International Mobility Awards for Vocational Students (IISMAVO, currently known as Indonesian International Mobility Awards for Vocational Path) is one of the programs launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) of the Republic of Indonesia as part of the Freedom to Learn (MBKM) program. In 2022, the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Vocational Education Program will also participate in providing opportunities for 26 students to carry out studies at various top world campuses through this program.
Accounting study program student, UI Vocational, Ramiza Nawalanang Ardjanggi—or often called Nawal—is one of the IISMAVO 2022 awardees who successfully passed selection to study at IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Nawal is the only UI Vocational awardee who has the opportunity to study in Germany. “Studying abroad was one of my dreams since childhood. It is because I believe there are many things that can be learned from other countries, so that it makes me more developed and adds new insights. The existence of the IISMAVO program gave me the opportunity to realize this dream,” said Nawal.
(Photo: Lecture atmosphere at IU International University of Applied Sciences)
Nawal went through various stages during the IISMAVO 2022 program selection process. He said that thorough preparation is an important thing before registering for the program. After successfully facing the administrative selection, Nawal took part in an interview as part of the next stage. Nawal said, “In order to successfully pass the interview selection, I did a lot of practice and deepened the essays I previously submitted. I learned this from an undergraduate IISMA alumni the previous year.”
Next, Nawal took a series of national insight tests (diversity), which was the final stage before the announcement. He also successfully passed a series of IISMAVO selection stages and ran the program for approximately four months. He participated in various activities, both academically such as lectures and company visits, as well as non-academic ones such as the Indonesia Night event, as well as exploring various cities and other countries in Europe. Indonesia Night, or commonly known as Indonesia Night ‘Astana Indonesia: Dwipa of Southeast Asia’, is an event to introduce Indonesian culture to all international students on the IU campus. The activity introduced traditional clothes, special foods, dances, national obligatory songs, even flash mobs with other international students. The response received was very positive and made the guests more familiar with and interested in Indonesian culture.
(Photo: Indonesia Night event held at IU International University of Applied Sciences)
Nawal was able to adjust while studying in Germany. According to him, the obstacles he had experienced, such as German which he was not good at, could be overcome through a language translator application, as well as an environment that helped him to communicate well. One of Nawal’s memorable experiences was the company visit program to two companies based in Dusseldorf, Germany, namely Henkel—a German pioneer company in the field of body care and laundry care—and Techbros.io—a German technology start-up company made by Indonesians, which operates in the field of digital technology. “While at Henkel, I was introduced from its history to the strategy it has built to serve its customers. Meanwhile at Techbros.io, I get inspiration from Indonesians who are struggling to build a company in Germany,” said Nawal.
(Photo: Industry visit conducted by students to Henkel)
Besides the excellent education system in Germany, Nawal has received many other positive things. He said, “Compliance with the rules is a small thing, but it has a big impact that Indonesia can follow. For example, traffic regularity and proper waste segregation. These two things amazed me when I was in Germany. I am sure that the synergy between the government and society to become a better and more developed country will help Indonesia to follow in the country’s footsteps.”
Nawal gave a number of tips to students who wished to take part in the program, including preparing complete and thorough documents. Also, the importance of a good mental condition will facilitate the process of undergoing various selections. Then, set a low level of expectations in order to maintain emotional stability when the selection results are announced. Finally, pray more to God Almighty so that every process that is undertaken is facilitated.
