SCHOLARSHIP? make it COMEs TRUE not just DREAM it

well, this story based on my experience. please don't compare it with someone else but you can ask me some questions if you want for sure...

I got this scholarship not really easy because I already tried to submit for almost 5 kinds of scholarship that provided for Indonesia. Such as 2x Aminef scholarship with different programme (this is from USA Government), Scholarship from New Zeland Government (this scholarship asked you to provide 3 reference letters at least), AAS (Australian Award Scholarship), LPDP (the famous scholarship from Indonesia Government) and the last STUNED (scholarship form Netherland Government).

Those process are really exhausted for sure but it makes me become better and better while preparing it. So I never said my failure is my disadvantage. But I am trying to share what I have got from my failure.

1. Get a good score for IBT (TOEFL) or IELTS test

This's like the most important point of application. And also take a long time if you should prepare yourself 1st to take a preparation course. This preparation course helps you to increase your ability in IELTS/ IBT. But first thing that you should find is which one your comfort test whether is IELTS or IBT because both has different method. for myself, I prefer IELTS rather than IBT because IBT too computerised, all the time I should do the test in front of computer and it makes my eyes not comfortable. And I took a preparation class in LBUI (Lembaga Bahasa UI) at Salemba. Actually there're a lot of place which have IELTS preparation such as IALF, IDP and British Council (Those are authorised IELTS test provider), and many more. I took LBUI because this's the cheapest one and I just want to know what the test looks like and continue to study it by myself.

Here's some link that I use to practice my IELTS
http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare
http://www.ielts-exam.net
Exam English
IELTS-Blog

or you can just type "IELTS preparation" in google search engine or "Free IELTS Test". It will show you many of resource and I also buy module about tips and trick IELTS in one of IELTS online course. At least, you should make yourself familiar with this test first, especially if you never face this test before.

2. Know your strength point
Because you should write many of motivation letter. Some scholarship provider ask different kind of motivation letter such as Q&A style or free style in writing. Just make yourself familiar with those things. In this section, you should sell yourself and show them that you deserve to receive the scholarship.

3. Join with an organisation as many as you can
Especially for non-profit organisation or foundation. You also can create it by yourself if you like. At least, it shows that you have something trigger you to give a contribution to your neighbour.

4. Find your Referrer 
Try to list down whose the powerful person could be your referrer. Usually scholarship provider ask referrer from your Academic area (your lecturer, docent, professor, etc), Professional area (Line manager, HR Director, Director in your Department or if it's possible President Director) and Social area (your friends in same organisation, leader of organisation, etc)

5. Join in Scholarship Social Media/ Newsletter

Because there are a lot of scholarship out there and it's very variety. You should check which one is suitable with your educational background or your job background. So don't be pessimistic if your educational background very different with your current job, because there's always possibility to get a scholarship. For example Fulbright.
Besides please take an attention for the requirements that they inform. If you keep push yourself to apply but you don't fulfil one or two requirement, you will lost 1 of your chance to apply that scholarship. As far as I know, every scholarship has limit for a person to apply the same programme. For example, AAS and LPDP give 2 chance per person per programme. So use it wisely.

6. Prepare your Document in English
Check all your supporting documents, such as Certificate, Transcript, Birth Certificate, etc. Scan and save it become 1 folder to make you easy. You can go to sworn translator if your document not in English. In Jakarta, I use Arya Pamula, PIC Pak Arifin, email: arya_pamula@yahoo.com
last time it cost IDR 40rb/ page. If you want re-issue the same document, you pay extra IDR 20rb/ page. You can also use delivery service, just send him a mail of your document, he will send the draft and next day he send it to you.

Here are some of documents that required*;

• copies of birth certificate or equivalent;
• proof citizenship i.e. KTP or your passport personal information pages;
• current Curriculum Vitae;
• official (certified*) post-secondary and tertiary certificates/degrees;
• official (certified*) post-secondary and tertiary transcripts of results;
• current (original) IELTS or TOEFL English language test results (a test result obtained in 2014 or 2015 will be considered  current). The TOEFL prediction test is NOT accepted;
• Masters applicants must also attach certified DIII degree certificate/transcript if using DIV or S1 extension certificate/transcript;
• Doctorate applicants must also attach certified S1 degree certificate/transcript;
• academic reference from S2 supervisor for Doctorate candidates; and
• Doctorate and those Masters applicants whose study will include at least fifty percent research must fill the research proposal details on the application form.

 *source: AAS Scholarship

7. Double check for the field priority
It can be your education background or job background (economic, water management, healthy, etc), your residence (Nusa Tenggara, Aceh, Kalimantan, etc), Gender (female or male), etc

That's all that I can share for now, if some of you wanna add or inform others tips, please feel free to contact me :) Enjoy the hunting...

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

(Quran 13:11)