Friday, January 17, 2025 – UPA BKPK (Guidance Counseling and Career Development) at the University of Mataram held a workshop and sharing session titled “Study In The USA.” This event, a collaboration with EducationUSA, aimed to provide in-depth information to the academic community of the University of Mataram about study opportunities in the United States. The workshop was also attended by Mrs. Boniesta Zulandha Melani, MA., Ph.D., Head of UPA Bahasa at the University of Mataram.
The event began with an opening speech from the Head of UPA BKPK, Mr. apt. Yoga Dwi Saputra, S.Farm., M.Pharm.Sci., who emphasized that the main purpose of this workshop was to provide students with insights to help them achieve a better life, particularly through higher education. He also hoped that participants would take advantage of this opportunity to realize their dreams of studying abroad, especially in the United States.
Following this, the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni, Dr. Sujita, S.T., M.T., highlighted the importance for students aiming to study abroad not to rely solely on their Grade Point Average (GPA) but also to enhance their English proficiency through adequate ITP or IELTS scores. He also expressed his appreciation for the Head of UPA Bahasa, who has been a pioneer as a graduate of the University of Century Florida, hoping this would improve the quality of education at the University of Mataram.
The next session began at 9:35 AM with a group photo session, followed by Mr. Ramaditia Diwansaputra, S.T., M.Eng., from the Public Relations of UPA BKPK, introducing himself as the moderator. He also introduced Ambarizky Trinugraheni, an advisor from EducationUSA, who then provided further explanations about EducationUSA and the benefits of studying in America.
Ambarizky explained that EducationUSA is a network under the U.S. Department of State, with more than 430 advising centers in over 175 countries, including Indonesia. EducationUSA is dedicated to promoting higher education in the United States by providing accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date, and unbiased information about studying there. She also shared various reasons why studying in the United States is attractive, including the success story of the founder of Duolingo, who is a U.S. graduate. Additionally, she outlined important steps to prepare before applying to universities or companies in the United States.
Next, the session was filled by the Head of UPA Bahasa, Mrs. Boniesta, who shared her experiences while completing her Ph.D. program in TESOL at the University of Central Florida. She emphasized that the large Indonesian community in America helps students not feel isolated. Mrs. Boniesta also stressed the importance of financial preparation before departure and provided tips to strengthen foundational knowledge before submitting research or dissertation proposals.
She also shared her experiences in preparing application documents, such as the minimum TOEFL ITP score of 550 or IELTS 6.5, with tests regularly held at UPA Bahasa Unram. Readers from both the academic community and the general public who wish to take this test can register via the WhatsApp number listed on the front page.
Another tip is to choose a university that matches your field of interest; it doesn’t have to be a large university, as long as it offers the desired major. Mrs. Boniesta also explained that students with scholarships in America are only allowed to work on campus (on-campus), such as teaching or research assistants. She also mentioned the ease of accessing inter-campus literature thanks to an integrated digital library and the convenience of choosing professional mentors from various countries.
The final session was a Q&A. Participants asked about cultural differences and adaptation during their studies in America. Mrs. Boniesta explained that the competition there provides valuable preparation for becoming resilient individuals. She also encouraged students to be active in various cultural events as a way to introduce the richness of Indonesian culture. Participants who asked questions were given prizes by the committee as a token of appreciation for their interesting questions.
The event concluded with a group photo of all participants and organizers, making this workshop not only rich in knowledge but also lively and full of enthusiasm.
