Studying abroad is a dream for many Indonesian students, and for Steven Nathanael Liyanto (Accounting-IUP 2022), that dream came true. The accounting student from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) realized his ambition through the Indonesia International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program in 2024. He spent a semester studying at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, and returned with a wealth of academic and life experiences.
In the “Let’s Go Around the World: Broadening Perspectives Through the Lens of New South Wales” program on the FEB UGM YouTube channel, Steven shared his experiences studying at UNSW in Australia. He explained that there is a significant difference between the learning systems at UNSW and UGM, particularly in terms of semester structure. UNSW follows a trimester system, each semester lasting 10 weeks starting in February, May, and September.
Steven began his studies at UNSW at the end of term 2 in August, which allowed him to take only one course: “Experiencing Sydney Crime,” offered by the Faculty of Law. In Term 3, which started in September, he took three classes: “Marketing Fundamentals,” “Digital Transformation in Business,” and “The Art of Computing.”
One of the courses that made a strong impression on Steven was Experiencing Sydney Crime. He initially enrolled in the course to gain a deeper understanding of the city of Sydney. However, he ended up experiencing a unique learning journey that included walking tours of the city between lectures.
“We were taken around Sydney. So it wasn’t just theory and practice, but a real-life visualization,” he explained.
Beyond academics, Steven also learned to live independently. Living near Coogee Beach, he had to learn to cook for himself due to the high cost of eating out. Another challenge came when he arrived during the winter season, which was very different from Indonesia’s tropical climate.
“I ended up getting sick for a day or two because of the weather,” he said.
Academically, Steven acknowledged that the workload was quite heavy, with assignments accounting for 40-60 percent of the final grade. However, he felt supported by his instructors’ open and encouraging attitude.
Steven shared his journey to becoming an IISMA Scholar. The selection process began with an administrative screening, which included submitting documents such as a resume, academic transcript, English proficiency certificates (Duolingo/IELTS/TOEFL), an essay, and letters of recommendation. He emphasized the importance of selecting a host university that matches one’s interests and paying close attention to each institution’s language requirements, as not all universities accept Duolingo scores.
After participants pass the administrative stage, they attend a 30-minute interview. Steven advised future applicants to prepare by researching the university and the host country. Over eleven months, the IISMA team carries out the entire process—from registration and selection to the pre-departure briefing.
Steven offered three key tips for students interested in participating in IISMA or other exchange programs. First, prepare yourself mentally for living independently in a foreign country. Second, choose your university based on rankings and the suitability of the courses offered. Third, prepare thoroughly for the competitive selection process.
“Finally, just relax, don’t get too stressed, follow your goals and take it slow. It might be challenging initially, but you will get used to it eventually. The most important thing is that your studies go smoothly and you are happy,” Steven concluded.
Report by: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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