Personal Statement - (GKS-U, Inje University - Biotechnology)
"I've often heard that girls don't need education, just obedience. But my parents believed otherwise-and so do I."
Neither of my parents went to college. They both graduated high school, married young, and raised a family long before financial stability ever entered the picture. My parents now work tirelessly to support our family of five. Together, they earn around 5 million IDR per month (approximately 420,000 KRW)-enough to keep things going, but never enough to provide security. Still, they've always encouraged me, their firstborn, to pursue education as far as my dreams can take me-even beyond borders.
I grew up watching them trade sleep for survival, days for income, and dreams for practicality. They never asked me to be exceptional-only brave. So I made a quiet promise to myself: I would not let limited means or traditional expectations define the scale of my impact.
In high school, I selected science and engineering-related subjects like physics and mathematics-not because I loved them, but because they were seen as more practical and stable career paths. Under Indonesia's new high school curriculum, students choose focus subjects, and I chose what seemed safest. But deep inside, I always felt more drawn to biology, health, and science that helps people. Eventually, I stopped forcing myself into fields that didn't fit, and I began choosing honesty over safety. That honesty has brought me here: applying to the Biotechnology program at Inje University through GKS.
I want to contribute to the future of healthcare-through research on infectious diseases, biological systems, and biotechnology solutions. Inje University stands out to me not just for its academic strength in biotechnology, but because of its real-world connection through Paik Hospital and its investment in research and international collaboration. I believe it is the right place for me to grow-not just as a student, but as a future researcher and contributor to both Korean and Indonesian scientific communities.
During my two terms in the student council, I led and supported more than five campus-wide initiatives-ranging from classmate orientation to inter-school events-reaching hundreds of participants and teaching me how to plan, adapt, and lead under pressure. As the oldest of three children, I carry not only the hopes of my family, but the responsibility to clear a path forward-especially when opportunities seem out of reach.
As someone from a modest background with no access to private education, the GKS scholarship represents more than financial support. It is a bridge-between who I am and who I can become. I believe the values of GKS align perfectly with my own: resilience, openness, contribution, and growth.
With this opportunity, I hope to one day contribute to biotechnology collaboration between Korea and Indonesia, whether through shared research, data exchange, or public health innovation. My journey so far has never been linear-but it has always moved with purpose. And now, with Inje and GKS, I'm ready to take that journey global.
"I've often heard that girls don't need education, just obedience. But my parents believed otherwise-and so do I."
Neither of my parents went to college. They both graduated high school, married young, and raised a family long before financial stability ever entered the picture. My parents now work tirelessly to support our family of five. Together, they earn around 5 million IDR per month (approximately 420,000 KRW)-enough to keep things going, but never enough to provide security. Still, they've always encouraged me, their firstborn, to pursue education as far as my dreams can take me-even beyond borders.
I grew up watching them trade sleep for survival, days for income, and dreams for practicality. They never asked me to be exceptional-only brave. So I made a quiet promise to myself: I would not let limited means or traditional expectations define the scale of my impact.
In high school, I selected science and engineering-related subjects like physics and mathematics-not because I loved them, but because they were seen as more practical and stable career paths. Under Indonesia's new high school curriculum, students choose focus subjects, and I chose what seemed safest. But deep inside, I always felt more drawn to biology, health, and science that helps people. Eventually, I stopped forcing myself into fields that didn't fit, and I began choosing honesty over safety. That honesty has brought me here: applying to the Biotechnology program at Inje University through GKS.
I want to contribute to the future of healthcare-through research on infectious diseases, biological systems, and biotechnology solutions. Inje University stands out to me not just for its academic strength in biotechnology, but because of its real-world connection through Paik Hospital and its investment in research and international collaboration. I believe it is the right place for me to grow-not just as a student, but as a future researcher and contributor to both Korean and Indonesian scientific communities.
During my two terms in the student council, I led and supported more than five campus-wide initiatives-ranging from classmate orientation to inter-school events-reaching hundreds of participants and teaching me how to plan, adapt, and lead under pressure. As the oldest of three children, I carry not only the hopes of my family, but the responsibility to clear a path forward-especially when opportunities seem out of reach.
As someone from a modest background with no access to private education, the GKS scholarship represents more than financial support. It is a bridge-between who I am and who I can become. I believe the values of GKS align perfectly with my own: resilience, openness, contribution, and growth.
With this opportunity, I hope to one day contribute to biotechnology collaboration between Korea and Indonesia, whether through shared research, data exchange, or public health innovation. My journey so far has never been linear-but it has always moved with purpose. And now, with Inje and GKS, I'm ready to take that journey global.
