For Sylvia Febiandita, winning the Arryman Scholarship is not just an opportunity to continue her studies, but a strategic step towards realising her dream of becoming a researcher in development economics and public policy. The top graduate of the Economics Study Programme at FEB UGM in 2022 has just begun her studies at SOAS University of London in the MSc in Development Economics programme, which she will continue to doctoral level.
Three years of experience as a research assistant at various institutions, ranging from the Economics and Business Research and Development Unit (P2EB) at FEB UGM, the Ministry of National Development Planning, to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta, opened Sylvia’s eyes to the importance of a strong theoretical and methodological foundation. Therefore, she strengthened her determination to continue her postgraduate studies to complement the insights she gained during her undergraduate studies.
Special Scholarship
Sylvia is very grateful to have received the Arryman scholarship. This scholarship feels special to her because it offers scholarships from master’s to doctoral degrees in economics, living expenses, and health insurance. In addition, this scholarship opens up opportunities to develop networks and cross-disciplinary discussions because the scholarship recipients come from various social disciplines.
“Interestingly, Arryman scholarship recipients have the opportunity to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at one of the Institutes for Advanced Studies (IFAR) after their studies,” she explained.
Through the Arryman scholarship, Sylvia can continue her studies at SOAS University of London, which excels in development studies with regional expertise in developing countries such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. SOAS is also listed as the university with the most international students in the UK, representing more than 135 countries. In addition, the Department of Economics at SOAS is renowned for its heterodox approach and focus on development economics and political economy. According to her, these strengths make SOAS the right place to explore economic issues in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region and beyond.
“I am interested in applying economics and development science in policy discourse in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The MSc and PhD in Development Economics programmes at SOAS allow me to focus on economics and other sciences and methods,” she explained.
The Journey to Winning a Scholarship
While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Sylvia won prestigious scholarships such as GenBI Bank Indonesia, IISMA to the University of Pennsylvania, and Young Leaders for Indonesia from McKinsey & Company. However, her journey to winning a postgraduate scholarship was not smooth sailing. Previously, she had been rejected by two other doctoral scholarships.
“When applying for scholarships to fund my postgraduate studies, I was rejected by two other scholarships, even though several programmes in the United States and the United Kingdom had already accepted me. Nevertheless, this process taught me to continue refining my goals for pursuing postgraduate studies and the things I planned to explore in the future,” she explained.
She revealed that she faced several challenges during the scholarship application process, from writing essays to deciding on a programme to apply for. This was no small matter, as scholarships do not cover all educational costs. However, her failure became a stepping stone for her to prepare more thoroughly for her postgraduate programme and scholarship applications.
Tips for Getting a Scholarship
When applying, Arryman Sylvia tried to prepare as well as possible, from writing her essay and updating her IELTS test results to applying for the SOAS University of London programme. She shared some tips for those who want to apply for this scholarship. In addition to careful planning, applicants should read much literature about the topic they want to research and finalise their study plans. Another tip is to balance openness to new insights that will be learned during your studies, considering that the Arryman scholarship is not only for master’s degrees but also for doctoral degrees. It is also essential for applicants to maintain their physical and mental health because the application process takes a long time.
“It’s okay to take a short break along the way. However, make sure that when you return, you can bounce back stronger. Your journey is still long, so it’s normal to feel tired. Give yourself time to rest, while also taking care of your physical and mental health,” she advised.
Sylvia admitted that she was ready to pursue further studies. Her experience studying at FEB UGM served as valuable preparation, particularly through her econometrics course and research experience. Additionally, her involvement in the Student Publishing and Press Agency (BPPM) EQUILIBRIUM, the FEB UGM Economics Student Association (Himiespa), and the IISMA programme at the University of Pennsylvania broadened her academic perspective and international network. The values of integrity, professionalism, objectivity, and social awareness instilled at FEB UGM also guide Sylvia as she embarks on her long journey as a researcher.
“FEB UGM has shaped me into an aspiring researcher who prioritises not only integrity but also aspects of social justice. I see ‘success’ when I can benefit the people around me,” said Sylvia, who plans to pursue research in the fields of development and employment and continue her postdoctoral fellowships after completing her postgraduate studies.
Reported by: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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