Soraya Esther Br. Sitanggang (18) couldn’t hide her excitement when she was declared accepted into the Accounting Study Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM). Through the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) pathway, she got into her dream university without taking an entrance exam. For Soraya, this was not just an acceptance letter, but the gateway to a bigger dream she had held onto for so long.
She still vividly remembers that afternoon, March 18, 2025, which became a historic day. After coming home from school, with a pounding heart and anxious feelings, Soraya opened the SNBP announcement. All her worries vanished when she found out that FEB UGM had accepted her. She immediately rushed to share the good news with her mother, who tidied up the family’s small shop.
Her mother, Rosliana M. Sihotang, couldn’t hold back her tears. Happiness, gratitude, and relief blended into one. For Ros, her daughter’s success was not just an acceptance—it felt like a miracle. Yet at the same time, Ros was overshadowed by the worry of how she would afford the tuition fees. But it seemed that God never stopped working wonders. A few weeks later, Soraya shared even better news: she had been awarded a 100% subsidized tuition fee scholarship through the “Pendidikan Unggul” program. This meant Soraya could study at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UGM for free until she graduated. The burden that had once felt so heavy was slowly being lifted. This is the starting point of a new journey you must go through,” said Ros when met at her home in Sidorejo, Medan Tembung, Medan City, not long ago.
Ros shared that she initially asked her daughter to study at a university in North Sumatra so she could stay close to the family. But seeing her daughter’s strong determination to chase her dream at UGM, she finally gave her full support and could only pray for the best.
It was difficult for Ros to let Soraya go far away from home for better education. She reminded her daughter to work hard consistently and never forget to pray. She instilled in Soraya that she was capable and that God had already prepared everyone’s fortune.
“I always tell Soraya that whatever she does must come from good intentions and a sense of responsibility. Never take life’s choices lightly—once you choose a path, see it through to the end,” she advised.
Growing Up Amid Limitations
Soraya is the youngest of four siblings. She grew up without ever feeling the presence of a father figure, as her father passed away due to illness when she was only two years old. Since then, her mother has been the sole breadwinner, relying on the family’s small convenience store for income.
“I feel so relieved. With a full scholarship, I can help ease my mom’s burden. I know it’s not easy for her to let me study far away and shoulder the cost alone. But now, at least one worry is gone,” Soraya said.
Despite their limited circumstances, Soraya never stopped fighting for her dreams. She believes that education is the key to changing her future. Soraya’s concern for education has been evident since elementary school. She often volunteered to tutor her friends and younger students at her school. What seemed like a simple activity became the starting point of her love for the academic world.
“I love teaching, and it makes me happy to see my friends understand the lessons. That’s where my motivation to keep learning and pursue higher education came from,” she explained.
Achieving Excellence
Soraya has achieved great things in her academic and non-academic studies. Since elementary school, she has actively participated in various competitions, from quizzes to fashion shows. Her enthusiasm to excel never faded. In junior high school, she became even more consistent, actively joining various activities and consistently earning top ranks in her class. Her hard work and perseverance earned her a place at SMA Negeri 3 Medan, a prestigious high school she had long dreamed of.
Once in high school, Soraya’s drive to excel only grew stronger. She worked hard to achieve in various competitions. At the International Science Qualification Olympiad 2023, Soraya ranked in the top 10 highest scorers out of 45,846 participants. In the same year, she won a gold medal at the Eduexpo Himatek USU Student Olympiad 2024, and was ranked in the top 100 by the organiser, Universitas Sumatera Utara. She also won a Silver Medal in the International Medallion Student Competition 2024 in Economics, organized by the International Level Test Institution (ILTI).
Soraya realizes that academic achievements alone are not enough to shape her character. She also hones her skills through various organizational activities. At school, she was trusted to serve as Secretary of the Smantig Olympiad Team (TOS) for 2023–2025 and as Mathematics Coordinator for 2024–2025, where she mentored students preparing to represent the school at the National Science Olympiad (OSN). Soraya strengthened her leadership, communication, and time management skills through these roles.
Weaving Dreams at FEB UGM
Soraya chose FEB UGM after careful consideration. Her love for accounting grew as she actively participated in economics olympiads during high school. She searched for the best university and found FEB UGM, AACSB-accredited and renowned for producing graduates who succeed in multinational companies.
For her, being a student at FEB UGM is not just an achievement but the start of a new journey. Soraya is determined to study in the classroom and actively join student organizations and competitions. Although she must live far from her family, she chooses to fill her days with meaningful activities to continue growing and developing. Soraya has already mapped out her future steps: to build a career in accounting, pursue a Master’s degree, earn professional certifications, and share her knowledge as a financial content creator to help more young people become financially literate.
Never Be Afraid to Fail
Soraya admits that achieving all this has not been easy. Even so, she keeps moving forward, despite often being haunted by fear and fatigue. For her, true courage is not about being fearless but about trying anyway, even when afraid and exhausted. She believes that great people also feel doubt and fear of failure, but still choose to keep going. She thinks this sets apart those who dare to try from those who give up before they even start.
“To my friends who are doubtful or think they’ve failed, please don’t be afraid to try again. I used to feel insecure, hesitant, and regretful for not daring to try. Now I realize, no matter how small, an experience is always better than not trying at all,” she said.
She also encourages those struggling financially, especially those pursuing higher education. She knows what it feels like to fight through limitations while holding onto big dreams.
“Never underestimate your dreams. Every dream is valuable and worth fighting for. If you can’t go straight to college, keep learning, working, and looking for opportunities. Believe me, everyone’s blessings are already set and will never be misplaced,” she concluded.
Reported by: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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