No human being can choose the circumstances of their birth. Whether born into a well-off family or a financially struggling one, everyone has the power to choose their life path. This is the story of Nurizha Meila Andini (18), who never gave up on her dreams despite her limitations.
A native of Sukorejo Village, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java, Meila never let financial constraints dampen her aspirations, including her dream of studying at UGM. Her dream is now closer to reality, as her hard work and dedication have earned her a place in the Management Study Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM). Remarkably, Meila was admitted through the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) and received a full scholarship, exempting her from tuition fees until graduation.
Growing Up in a Simple Family
Meila is the youngest of two siblings, born to Yunanto and Jumiati. Her father, a junior high school graduate, works as a freelance driver, while her mother supplements the family income by selling snacks and fried foods to school canteens.
Yunanto’s income as a freelance driver is unpredictable. He might receive one or two weekly driving jobs, earning about IDR 200,000. However, there are often weeks when he gets no work at all. The situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when he had no job opportunities for an entire year. “For a year, there were no calls due to Covid, so we had to think creatively about how to survive by selling fried foods and snacks,” he recalled.
Despite their limited circumstances, Yunanto never discouraged his daughters from pursuing their dreams of higher education. He encouraged them to prioritize their studies to secure a brighter future. “I was deeply moved and didn’t expect Meila to be accepted at FEB UGM. It’s a huge pride for our family. Initially, we advised Meila to consider UNDIP, like her sister, because UGM’s standards are very high,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jumiati hopes that Meila will succeed in her studies at UGM. She prays daily for her children’s success. “Do your best because the results will never betray the effort,” she advised Meila.
Overcoming Limitations
Despite her family’s financial constraints, the SMAN 1 Bojonegoro alumna chose to keep fighting for her dreams. She aspires to become a successful entrepreneur in the bakery business. To achieve this, she diligently studied and aimed for academic excellence.
Her efforts bore fruit as she consistently achieved high academic performance. In addition to her academic success, Meila also excelled in non-academic fields. Her hobby of dancing Thengul, a traditional Bojonegoro dance, led her to perform at the Indonesian Independence Day celebration at the Presidential Palace in 2019.
Never Underestimate Dreams
Meila was determined to study at UGM but was initially hesitant due to financial concerns. With encouragement from her parents and friends, she applied to FEB UGM. “I became interested in economics in the 11th grade. However, I was unsure whether to choose Management or Economics at FEB UGM. After consulting with my guidance counselor, I decided on Management,” she explained.
Joy filled Meila and her family’s hearts when she was accepted into UGM through the achievement track. Their happiness increased when they learned she was granted a full scholarship. “Never underestimate your dreams and believe in your abilities. Have faith that you can achieve your goals, which will come with effort and determination,” she concluded.
Wawancara: Mahendra
Penulis: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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