Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat: How Nur Shabrina Qonitah Transformed Inquisitiveness into Global Opportunity

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda — The old proverb "curiosity killed the cat" is often used as a warning against being too inquisitive. However, for Nur Shabrina Qonitah, curiosity was not a threat/ It was the catalyst for an extraordinary journey.

In a recent episode of the UMKTanya Podcast, Shabrina—affectionately known as Bina—shared how her natural inquisitiveness transformed her into an Informatics Engineering student with a portfolio of experiences that stand out even among her international peers. From serving as a UMKT Campus Ambassador and Chairwoman of Creative Media for her student association to volunteering with EducationUSA and, most notably, becoming a Google Student Ambassador (GSA) in Indonesia, Bina’s path has been anything but ordinary.

“The milestones I share on Instagram and LinkedIn weren't part of some rigid grand plan,” Bina admitted during the interview. “They started as small experiments that opened doors I never knew existed.”

As a Google Student Ambassador, Bina’s mission is to bridge the gap between Google’s innovation and her campus community by fostering leadership and digital literacy. Although she has only held the role for four months, the impact has already shifted her worldview. Through GSA, Google provides her with exclusive professional development, including access to specialized bootcamps and visits to the Google Indonesia office.

“Since becoming a GSA, I’ve started thinking more about how my presence can benefit others,” she explained. “It has pushed me to design programs that actually address people’s real-world needs.”

The Human Side of Tech

Bina’s empathy was further cultivated through her volunteer work with EducationUSA Kalimantan. There, she assists prospective students in navigating the complex journey of studying in the United States. She recalled a poignant moment at a high school education expo in Samarinda, where a student and their parents approached her with wide-eyed enthusiasm about studying abroad.

“At that moment, I realized that no one can stand entirely on their own—we all need the support and guidance of others,” Bina remarked, reflecting on the power of human connection.

These dual roles taught Bina a skill rarely mastered in a classroom: adaptive communication. “At Google, I have to simplify complex concepts like AI or Cloud Storage for the general public. At EducationUSA, I have to lead with empathy, listening to people’s dreams and offering personalized guidance,” she noted. For Bina, technology and education are two sides of the same coin—each needing the other to truly thrive.

Her high-profile roles have occasionally led to funny misunderstandings. Because of her association with Google, friends often call her “Mbah Google,” assuming she has the answer to every question in existence. “I don’t know everything,” she joked, “but I can certainly provide the shortcuts to help you find the answers yourself.”

Despite her current accolades, Bina admits she wasn’t always this "ambitious." In her freshman year, she was simply a student with a lot of energy and a desire to try everything. This versatility became her strength, allowing her to solve problems creatively as a GSA while building deep interpersonal networks.

However, the pressure of a packed schedule—including an internship at Telkom, managing GSA recruitment, and academic responsibilities—eventually led to a period of burnout. Bina learned to identify the warning signs: emotional irritability and a persistent bad mood.

“Sometimes, your body simply needs a break,” Bina emphasized. “When that happens, I prioritize myself over my to-do list. I’ll forget the tasks for a while and just relax, hang out, or get some much-needed sleep.”

Bina’s success is rooted in two simple principles: the ability to say "no" when necessary and the discipline to finish academic tasks before seeking rest. As the podcast concluded, she offered a final piece of advice for those prone to overthinking or comparison.

“Stop comparing your chapter one to someone else's chapter twenty,” she urged. “Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to the person you were yesterday. That is the only way to truly start your journey toward becoming your best self.”

Author: Raisha Azzahro

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy