Since her first year of college, Lifi had the opportunity to become a full awardee of the Ministry of Education and Culture Excellence Scholarship. Aware that the government invested in educating people like her, Lifi felt that she must do her best while during her time as a student of ITB.

Lifi faced numerous struggles studying at ITB. During her first year, Lifi once felt like she took the wrong major to study (Biomedical Engineering study program). Fortunately, a senior changed her perspective on the matter- when students felt that way, it meant that they were being more curious about their field of study. She then explored more about her major and found more interesting topics to learn, ranging from electrical engineering to chemical structures and human anatomy.

Thanks to Lifi’s curiosity, she became more comfortable in college and found value in herself to develop further. She also participated in various events related to academics. During her first year, she joined her first research competition at the National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) with her friends and won gold.

Through PIMNAS, Lifi became more excited to take part in other competitions. Moreover, she was selected as an awardee of the 2021 IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) to study abroad for one semester at the University of Pennsylvania. She, along with other students from Indonesia, participated in the Stanford Design Challenge and was chosen as a global finalist.

For Lifi, the important thing obtained in the Stanford Design Challenge is not just her award, but also the valuable lessons about design thinking. "As engineers, we were often given a product and then we listed down the issues found in it. However, problem-solving does not always go that way. Instead, we should think of a product from the list of problems we can think of.”

Lifi’s story can be listened a: ITB Podcast - Become an ITB Student and Achieve

To be an exceptional student, Lifi believes that one should not only focus on academic achievements but also on the impact of their surroundings. For instance, she volunteered to teach Olympiad-level Biology at Central Java four months before entering university out of sheer curiosity instead of being told by her teacher.

On another note, Lifi had also been part of the AMI (Aku Masuk ITB) committee, in which she promoted ITB and its entrance preparations to schools. Upon joining the event, she was glad to witness many high school students having a strong interest to continue studying.

During the exchange semester at the University of Pennsylvania, Lifi was invited by her friends to create a culture fair and became the only IISMA awardee who became one of its executive boards. She learned how to introduce Indonesia to Philadelphia, engage with the Acehnese community in South Philadelphia and hear about their struggles as Indonesian in the United States.

When she returned to Indonesia, Lifi was elected as the Head of ITB HME (Electrotechnical Student Association). "My student association made me realize that it is okay to be realistic, that it is okay to fail when the results are not as perfect as you hoped, and things that are not ideal can be immediately criticized,” she said. “That teaching did not give me an immediate impact, but it assured me that everyone there gave me a new definition of what it means to be a family. I'm proud of my student association for listening to all viewpoints for a better understanding of everyone’s needs.”

For students who want to excel like her, Lifi advised that what needs to be pursued is not labels but values."Look for values that make you worthy of being considered as a great student. You must not pursue the title but the value instead. We also have to empower others as it is not enough to only fulfill ourselves.”

Lifi also advised high school students who are about to enter college to find their reason for entering their chosen study program beforehand. They should not enroll in a study program simply to tag along, but out of personal preference. “Find out what you like to learn because in the end, your choices are those that only you can control. Don't let people take control of your life."

Reporter: Alisha Syakira Triawan (Entrepreneurship, 2024)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)