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Growing up in a remote village far from the city, financial hardship has always been one of the biggest barriers between me and quality education. I come from a low-income family and hope to be the first in my family to earn a college degree. In my area, it is still difficult to access educational opportunities that truly match students' interests.
For years, I was among the children who woke up at dawn to walk 15 minutes to school, often climbing hills just to attend classes. After graduating from vocational high school, I moved to the capital city with high hopes of attending university. However, the reality was far from what I imagined. Securing a decent job that could support both my daily needs and tuition proved to be extremely difficult. The heavier the financial burden became, the more my dreams seemed out of reach. I began to feel lost, my hope for a better future seemed distant.
This experience motivated me to apply for the GKS scholarship and pursue Astronomy and Space Science - fields that are still underdeveloped in Indonesia due to limited resources and research infrastructure. Studying in Korea would give me access to advanced research facilities and international academic communities such as KAS and K-GMT, opening real opportunities for growth and contribution in my field.
My passion for astronomy started during my elementary school years. Like many children, I was fascinated by the stars, but my curiosity went further. My grandparents, who were fishermen, often traveled at night, and I practiced identifying constellations to help with navigation. I also explored the wonders of the universe through an old encyclopedia filled with illustrations.
Despite my parents' limited means, I never gave up. Using simple materials, I created a cardboard solar system model, a rocket toy, and paper space shuttles to bring my imagination to life. Due to financial constraints, I had to choose a vocational school rather than a science-focused high school. I studied Computer and Network Engineering, which was not aligned with my passion, but I was grateful for the free education it offered. Even then, I kept my love for astronomy alive by going camping with friends in the mountains just to stargaze and observe celestial events.
I found inspiration in Merry Riana's story - a determined young woman who pursued her dream to study abroad despite growing up in poverty. Her journey at Nanyang Technological University taught me that dreams can be achieved regardless of where we come from. Her strength and perseverance reignited my motivation during moments when I felt hopeless.
In high school, I served as the Head of the Religious Affairs Division in the student council. I led religious events that involved various communities, helping build a strong reputation for our school as one that upheld cultural and spiritual values.
My vocational studies equipped me with basic computer skills such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Additionally, watching English films and listening to English music have significantly improved my language abilities in a natural and enjoyable way.
Through this scholarship, I hope to gain access to a strong academic network, mentoring, and intercultural experiences. I am aware of the cultural differences and competitive academic environment, but with the language program this scholarship offered, it will be easier, i have prepared myself by planning to engage with locals, embrace cultural differences, and utilize all available academic resources to adapt effectively.
Growing up in a remote village far from the city, financial hardship has always been one of the biggest barriers between me and quality education. I come from a low-income family and hope to be the first in my family to earn a college degree. In my area, it is still difficult to access educational opportunities that truly match students' interests.
For years, I was among the children who woke up at dawn to walk 15 minutes to school, often climbing hills just to attend classes. After graduating from vocational high school, I moved to the capital city with high hopes of attending university. However, the reality was far from what I imagined. Securing a decent job that could support both my daily needs and tuition proved to be extremely difficult. The heavier the financial burden became, the more my dreams seemed out of reach. I began to feel lost, my hope for a better future seemed distant.
This experience motivated me to apply for the GKS scholarship and pursue Astronomy and Space Science - fields that are still underdeveloped in Indonesia due to limited resources and research infrastructure. Studying in Korea would give me access to advanced research facilities and international academic communities such as KAS and K-GMT, opening real opportunities for growth and contribution in my field.
My passion for astronomy started during my elementary school years. Like many children, I was fascinated by the stars, but my curiosity went further. My grandparents, who were fishermen, often traveled at night, and I practiced identifying constellations to help with navigation. I also explored the wonders of the universe through an old encyclopedia filled with illustrations.
Despite my parents' limited means, I never gave up. Using simple materials, I created a cardboard solar system model, a rocket toy, and paper space shuttles to bring my imagination to life. Due to financial constraints, I had to choose a vocational school rather than a science-focused high school. I studied Computer and Network Engineering, which was not aligned with my passion, but I was grateful for the free education it offered. Even then, I kept my love for astronomy alive by going camping with friends in the mountains just to stargaze and observe celestial events.
I found inspiration in Merry Riana's story - a determined young woman who pursued her dream to study abroad despite growing up in poverty. Her journey at Nanyang Technological University taught me that dreams can be achieved regardless of where we come from. Her strength and perseverance reignited my motivation during moments when I felt hopeless.
In high school, I served as the Head of the Religious Affairs Division in the student council. I led religious events that involved various communities, helping build a strong reputation for our school as one that upheld cultural and spiritual values.
My vocational studies equipped me with basic computer skills such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Additionally, watching English films and listening to English music have significantly improved my language abilities in a natural and enjoyable way.
Through this scholarship, I hope to gain access to a strong academic network, mentoring, and intercultural experiences. I am aware of the cultural differences and competitive academic environment, but with the language program this scholarship offered, it will be easier, i have prepared myself by planning to engage with locals, embrace cultural differences, and utilize all available academic resources to adapt effectively.
