On 15th October, the UC International Community partnered with UC’s Networking and Partnership department to invite two IISMA awardees, Michelle Herlianto (IBM-IC ‘22) and Sabrina Marchella (PSY ‘21), to a UCIC talk, where they could freely share about their overseas experience at Yale University in the United States.
For some background, Yale University is a prestigious institution of higher education, founded in 1701 and located in New Haven, Connecticut in the American Northeast. It is a member of the Ivy League, a group of eight private universities considered some of the most respected and well-known in all of America. As such, it’s a common university to aspire to enter, despite its acceptance rates being vanishingly thin.
Both Herlianto and Marchella had the opportunity to experience Yale University, courtesy of the government funding provided by IISMA when they were accepted. They began the talk by speaking about the structure of IISMA itself, including how a student’s courses ought to be chosen before applying for IISMA, and how the education at Yale differed from conventional higher education.
While they talk about the enjoyment they derived from the more practical-oriented learning, they also stressed that IISMA applicants should not underestimate the course load. Final and mid-semester assessments, pop quizzes, and reading assignments can all play major roles in a student’s final grade at Yale University.
They also spoke about experiencing the United States in general, and how IISMA awardees are expected to act as cultural ambassadors for Indonesia. Both Herlianto and Marchella were able to immerse themselves in US culture through broadway shows and other subsidized trips, but despite such activities, it was important for them to maintain their Indonesian roots while interacting with American communities.
Events such as Yale Nusantara, certain volunteer organizations, and New Haven’s Idul Fitri celebration allowed them to still maintain their grasp on the culture back home. Learning to perform tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and other necessities were also essential to adapting to overseas life, especially when it came to becoming an independent adult.
Some highlights from the Q&A session include many students asking about the IISMA application process, particularly the essay, english proficiency test, and interview junctures (both of which UC can aid applicants with). Both speakers also discussed homesickness, and how it’s important to remain in touch with people back home and with Indonesian culture through events such as Yale Nusantara.
The session ended with a few words on artificial intelligence, and how it’s important for students to use it responsibly for reference and sourcing purposes, but never for their raw writing. Applicants should also remember to schedule consultations for their IISMA application essays, such that they’re able to receive feedback for it from previous IISMA awardees from UC and docents.