Studying abroad with scholarships is a student’s dream because it can enrich life experiences and can feel a new and qualified educational atmosphere.
The story of Kezia Permata, an alumnus of Javanese Literature UGM class of 2016 brings proud and inspiring news amid the Covid-19 pandemic. His graduation in 2020 gave her many opportunities to develop, starting from receiving an offer to work at the UGM Center for Cultural Studies as a research assistant and the great opportunity to continue her Master’s studies at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London through an Alphawood scholarship.
The Alphawood Scholarship is a scholarship offered by the Alphawood Foundation Chicago to advance the study and preservation of Buddhist and Hindu art in Southeast Asia. This scholarship is given specifically to students who focus on continuing their Master’s studies in Hindu and Buddhist arts at SOAS University of London.
History of Archeology became the major of choice for the native Jogja woman to continue her studies at SOAS University of London for the next one year. Kezia deliberately chose a non-linear major in Javanese Literature expand her knowledge. Thus, when she returned to her homeland she was not only armed with knowledge about Javanese literature as “souvenirs”.
Initially, Kezia planned to take the LPDP scholarship with Leiden University as her goal and the preparations were almost at the registration stage. However, fate said otherwise. Due to a good relationship with one of the lecturers at Javanese Literature UGM, one day she was given information to take the Alphawood scholarship at SOAS University of London.
In her decision-making, she considered the Alphawood scholarship because it offered English language training programs for international students from Asia and Africa according to their final abilities. The scholarship also offered a lot in terms of financial relief, such as full tuition coverage, living expenses, and more.
Kezia has faced various obstacles in achieving her goal. “Many things need to be prepared, which is a bit difficult to get the results of the English exam test, IELTS, according to the standards set,” she explained. The difficulties he faced at that time were the limited schedule for the IELTS exam and the lack of preparation time. As a result, she still managed to score quite high on his IELTS in just a month of studying.
According to this second child of three siblings, the aspects that can help her achieve success are not only academic but also non-academic. Presumably, experience in the organization is very influential. She also told about his meeting with one of the speakers at the BWCF (Borobudur Writers and Cultural Festival) seminar when she was the liaison officer (IT) for her. The meeting will not be the first and last. From being a guest speaker, she turned into a mentor who played an important role in her journey to SOAS University of London.
Kezia advised us that when attending an event that contains great people, should be active and make the best use of time. It is possible that when we meet these people we can have the opportunity to communicate with them. That is the definition of an opportunity that comes at the right time and place.
During the journey to obtain this scholarship, Kezia learned many valuable lessons. One of the things that he has always applied until now is, “Love what you have,” she concluded. That one sentence was very influential in the course of her life. She believes that no matter how difficult the problems we encounter as long as we love the process and always try, the difficulties will become easier.
Finally, regarding Kezia’s goals and profession after graduating from her master’s studies, she still can’t imagine. However, she only wants to be a useful person by sharing what she has with the world.
“I don’t have any goals yet. But clearly, I want to share what I have, things about Javanese Literature, the culture that we have, both abroad and within the country,” Kezia concluded.
