Indonesia
The Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) continually strives to provide platforms for students to broaden their horizons by studying abroad. One of its excellent programs is the Double Degree Program, which allows students to earn degrees from two different universities. This program will soon take one FCS UB student to Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (UPHF) in France.
Starting in September this year, Zahrani Callista Zuhdi, known as Callista, will begin her studies at UPHF, France. As a student of the French Literature Study Program at FCS UB, Callista will study in the Literature, Arts, and Humanities Study Program at UPHF for one year. She was selected as a Double Degree candidate after undergoing a rigorous selection process.
Out of the dozens of students who applied, two candidates with the best internal interview results were chosen to undergo intensive training in preparation for the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) level B2 exam, a certificate of French language proficiency issued to foreign speakers by the French Ministry of Education.
After both candidates passed the DELF level B2 exam, interviews with UPHF representatives were conducted offline. Dr. Vassil Mostrov from UPHF visited FIB UB to learn more about the candidates’ aspirations to study at his university.
“The interview was conducted in French. I was also asked about my knowledge of French literature. At that moment, my heart was pounding. Thankfully, everything went well,” Callista recalled.
Despite the long and exhausting process, Callista is very grateful to have the opportunity to study in France again after previously receiving the Bourse du Gouvernement Français (BGF) scholarship from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in her second year of study.
Callista hopes to make the most of this opportunity. “By joining this program, I want to deepen my knowledge in related fields directly in my home country. I also want to expand my network there. If everything goes well, I am also considering continuing my master’s degree there, as I received a scholarship offer for the first year at UPHF,” she explained.
Through her uphill battle, Callista is now preparing to start her new academic adventure in France. With high spirits, she hopes to bring home valuable knowledge and experience that can be applied in her homeland. FCS UB remains committed to supporting and facilitating students in pursuing international opportunities, paving the way for the next generation to be competent and ready to compete in the global arena. [trans.acl/ed.al/vidya/PR FCS]