Rohinun (21) never imagined that she, who came from a small village in Central Lombok, far from the city centre, would achieve her dream of completing her bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM). In fact, she graduated with honours, achieving a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.70 at the August 2025 graduation ceremony and earning a string of achievements at the national and international levels.
Rohinun was born and raised in a modest family and her father worked as a farmer. She grew accustomed to seeing hard work and sincerity as part of life. From there, she learned the meaning of honesty, independence, and perseverance. These values gradually shaped her character, becoming valuable assets that guided her on her educational journey.
Her desire to study at FEB UGM arose during high school. Access to the internet allowed her to learn about the university’s reputation and the opportunities it offered. Although her parents initially rejected the idea due to concerns about the cost, Rohinun was determined to find a scholarship and prove that studying at UGM was possible without burdening her family.
Rohinun’s journey to pursue her dreams has not been easy. Coming from a vocational school, she had to catch up academically while adjusting to a new environment.
“My friends already understood many things from the start, while I had to spend extra time learning them. It felt like watching a train speeding away, and I had to run fast to catch up,” explained the Economics graduate.
Not to mention surviving in a foreign land. She tried to find additional income, which, of course, took up a lot of her energy and time. However, from this she learned not to give up easily.
“It was exhausting initially, and I felt like I was falling far behind. But it was precisely from this that I learned to move faster, find my own way, and take advantage of every opportunity that came my way,” she explained.
However, through organisations, entrepreneurship programmes, competitions, internships, and the IISMA exchange programme at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain, she turned challenges into valuable experiences. One memorable experience came from the PMW and P2MW entrepreneurship programmes. She found business ideas there, designed products, and developed marketing strategies.
One of Roninun’s notable achievements was winning second place in the IDSC Business Case Competition. According to her, this victory was not solely the result of technical ability, but also the courage to try, the speed of learning, and perseverance. In addition, her internship experience and business development, such as Scent of The Moment and Got Meat Snack, further broadened her horizons.
For Rohinun, success comes not from luck, but from planning and the courage to try. This principle has made her consistent in pursuing new opportunities, both in academic and non-academic fields.
“Do whatever you find interesting and try every opportunity that comes your way,” she said.
Rohinun said that the professionalism she learned at FEB UGM was essential in shaping her character, especially in maintaining quality and taking responsibility for every role she played. During her studies at FEB UGM, she admitted that she gained a lot of knowledge from lectures and through campus organizations.
In the future, Rohinun plans to enrich her professional experience while continuing her master’s degree. She believes every step opens the door to greater opportunities, no matter how small.
“For me, this experience is not only about building a career, but also a way to understand myself better, recognise my strengths and weaknesses, and open the door to greater opportunities in the future,” she concluded.
Reportage by: Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan
Editor: Kurna Ekaptiningrum
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