From UMKT to South Korea, Dwi Astri Andriani Brought Her Almamater to the International Stage

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda - A supportive academic environment serves as a crucial foundation for student achievement. This is exactly what Dwi Astri Andriani, a nursing profession student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT), experienced firsthand. She recently made the university proud by participating in two prestigious international events: the ‘Asic 5th International’ essay competition organized by Aipnema, and the International Congress of Diabetes and Metabolism (ICDM) in Seoul, South Korea.

Dwi’s passion for writing took root early in her college years. She credits UMKT for providing ample space to cultivate student interests and talents through regular writing workshops and consistent updates on competition opportunities. The support provided by the university gave students the confidence to step out of their comfort zones and seize opportunities at both national and international levels.

Her journey to the international stage began with a nudge from a lecturer who shared a call for abstracts. Fueled by a spirit of determination, Dwi submitted her abstract and was surprisingly selected for an international presentation. At the ICDM, she highlighted the issue of childhood diabetes — a topic highly relevant to Indonesia’s current health landscape. The preparation process was intense; from drafting the abstract and refining her poster, to handling international travel logistics, all while juggling the demanding schedule of her clinical nursing rotations.

One of her biggest hurdles was the language barrier, as English was the primary medium of the conference. Admitting that her English proficiency was initially basic, Dwi dedicated her time to learn the fundamentals, expand her vocabulary, and practice communication to ensure she was ready for her presentation. Rather than holding her back, this challenge became an encouragement for her growth, pushing her to face her limitations head-on.

Competing internationally offered a starkly different experience compared to national events. Dwi rubbed shoulders with participants from various countries and academic backgrounds, including Master’s and PhD students, as well as seasoned health researchers. Through these interactions, she learned that the drive to learn transcends age and academic levels. Witnessing the exceptional ideas of others also helped her realize that her own work still had significant room for development.

The most memorable aspect for Dwi was the opportunity to travel to South Korea via a travel grant scheme that covered her travel expenses and passport processing. Although the funding operated on a reimbursement basis, UMKT provided full backing from the start, including financial aid, accommodation, and on-site assistance. She is deeply grateful for this support, acknowledging that not every student is afforded such privileges.

The role of her academic supervisors, specifically Ms. Joanggi and Ms. Tri from the Faculty of Health Sciences, was instrumental in her success. Not only did they provide academic assistance, they also motivated and accompanied Dwi throughout her time in Korea. Despite their own busy schedules as lecturers, they made time to ensure she navigated the entire program smoothly.

Upon returning from Korea, Dwi actively shared her experiences with her peers, ranging from the culture and lifestyle to the academic dynamics abroad. She hopes her story will motivate other UMKT students to dream big and dare to step onto the global stage. For her, this achievement is not just a personal milestone, but a small part of the ever-growing list of accolades earned by UMKT students.

Through her international contribution, Dwi hopes to add value to her university and introduce UMKT to the global community. She offers a simple yet meaningful message to her fellow students: do not fear failure, never tire of trying, and keep writing. In her view, we learn from failure, and through writing, we share benefits with others.

“UMKT is amazing! It is here that I have been able to learn, grow, and continue to achieve,” Dwi concluded, emphasizing that the university’s support has been an inseparable part of her journey to success.

Author: Raisha Azzahro

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy