To whom it may concern,

My name is Zakia Ayu Maulani, attending this second year on majoring Industrial
Engineering University of Diponegoro, having such big intense about going abroad and being a
participant to do this exchange. This feeling started since I was having really big motivation to
go abroad, to see every perspective on life wider, to explore the world because I ever had this
attempt about joining exchange-student selection four years ago and I perceived that I as
college student which is having this obligation to rule this country more, to contribute, to be even
more open-minded thought this is the right time yet great opportunity to make this dream do
come true for real.
Four years ago, I ever joined any other exchange student selection when I was on Senior
High School. There was 642 people who have been on the same seat with me to go to the
upcoming selection ahead. They had written test and essay which is contained about general
knowledge and it didnt relate to something like math nor science stuff. As the time passed by, I
could be the one from 642 people to the last selection until there was only 21 people left with me
after doing the test, personal interview and English skill interview until it came to the forum
group discussion selection. Feeling so excited yet I knew the feeling to go abroad is going to be
stronger. But unfortunately when the announcement was out, I couldnt make it.
I postponed this dream when I was on high school due to focusing on another dream
competition of MPR-RI 4 pillar for at least two years into this. I do still remember when I left
this-too-much-expecting-feeling on that exchange student selection but sooner Allah guide me
His light to open another way that I could finally pass this competition with my friend right from
the step to go from the district, then going to the province until we represent our province of
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta to national so we could meet 34 teams from all over this country. It
was changing me a lot, giving me some perspective to be a nothing-to-lose person, keep up
this good-work, hold these desires to be not really ambitious but we have to be more realistic yet
optimistic, and the most crucial thing ever is based on Surah Al-Insyirah (94:5-6) (because Im
moslem so I put this too in this letter) So verily, with the hardship, there is relief. Verily, with
the hardship, there is relief.

I really enjoy developing English skill performance with anything like meeting people
from all over the country (Ive been trying to be in touch with friends out there whom I met from
this Global Village), trying to do this chit-chat conversation in English with some of my friends,
or even just sparing time with watching movies just to enhance ability to speak English.
Beside I have attraction about this stuff, what I mostly need is just to prepare what things
should be on the very next years, to improve my knowledge about these, I need to broaden my
horizon and develop my personality, because I want to go to international environment.
Not everybody can feel the same as what we really feel about going abroad, but for those
who are just on the same side with me, they will obviously think that being such an exchange
student is going to create more positive vibes to us and we can even be somebody who
understand about what suit for one person may not suit another one because we know we have a
lot of variance culture for just one country, how if we compare the universal cultures to feel the
unique atmosphere of this whole world? I am interested in other cultures, their features.
Moreover, I want to meet people from all over the world, get to know their way of life and learn
to deal with differences between my culture and theirs. Since Im enjoying my life so far, since
my perspective on this life I could see get wider, since I put such effort to do whatever I love, to
be decision-maker enjoying the moment which suit me best too with my passion, since I am
away from parents and standing here for my owndoing everything alone, managing all these
living stuff to be more independent person, to feel home is where my heart belongs so I thought
whenever I came back to home, I would feel spending time together is more precious instead of
just staying in my comfort zone, and since I made all decision to be the part of exchange student,
I hopefully can be person who understands how respectfully tolerance on others path be the
thing we will cherish forever.
Thus, I find exchange program an integral part of my studies. That is how the words from
anonymous about failure is the key of success keep rolling over my head so I decided to try
everything for real about my desire to go abroad. Until right now, here I am standing.
Yours faithfully,
_____________