"Never Stop Pursuing Your Dreams, StuNed Scholarship"

Though I had an opportunity to be assigned at one of the overseas branches, I still wanted to pursue my dream to study abroad. In fact, my desire to study abroad was bigger than working at the overseas branches. Therefore, I kept monitoring the StuNed's website to find information regarding the schedule of StuNed selection in 2016. 

Once I received information that the period to apply the scholarship opened, I immediately prepared all the required documents and other certificates. It was not easy to get the recommendation from the employer. It took some time to convince them that if I got the scholarship, I would return to work for them again. After getting the recommendation from the employer, immediately I went to Neso Nuffic office to submit my application.

At the time, there was no interview to select the StuNed scholarship recipient. The selection committee would assess the prospective scholarship awardees based on their CV and motivation statement. 

At the time, I simply explained my reason to study Master International Economics and Business program that this program was in line with my job so that I could apply it to enhance the businesses of the overseas branches. 

My suggestion to those who want to write a motivation statement, just write a simple reason. For instance, you can give a better advice to your client on how to increase their sales from 5% a year to be 25% a year. 

You do not have to write that you can contribute to Indonesian economic growth by 10% a year. It would be better if you use a number to explain the improvement from your contribution.

I did not get any information about my application until the end of May 2016. On May 25, 2016, I received an email regarding my application. It stated that I had been placed on the Reserve List. I thought that I was failed.

On the afternoon of May 30, 2016, I unintentionally checked my email. I received an email with the subject "congratulation". I was shaking when reading the title of the email. I continued to read the email carefully. It stated that I had been selected to receive the financial support through the StuNed Scholarship program. I could not believe it. I read it a few times to ensure that I was awarded the StuNed Scholarship. I also used Google translate to ensure it.

I had to confirm my availability of the scholarship by June 1, 2016. It only needed 5 minutes after reading the email a few times to reply it and confirm that I accept the scholarship. Afterward, I called my parents and my wife to inform them that I got a scholarship. I could not sleep for a few days after receiving that email. I still could not believe whether it was a dream or reality.

On Saturday, June 4, 2016, we were gathered at the Nuffic Neso office. They wanted to explain further regarding StuNed scholarship to the scholarship awardees. 

Until that day, I still had no idea where Groningen was and how to say it correctly. Someone told me that Groningen was the most Northern Province in the Netherlands and taught me how to say Groningen in the Dutch style.