Newsdelivers.com –
Maria Jochu is one of the LPDP scholarship recipients who chose to return to Indonesia after completing further studies with the LPDP program. She is a woman from Papua who successfully completed her master’s degree at Marshall University, United States (US).
The story behind Maria Jochu’s devotion is quite interesting. The reason is, it is not uncommon for LPDP scholarship recipients to choose not to return for various reasons. Especially because there are more attractive job offers abroad.
Maria Jochu also got that opportunity. After graduating, he was attracted by various companies both domestically and internationally to work for their companies. Instead of accepting the offer, Maria returned to her hometown and is now working as a village head.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Family background
Coming from Gurabesi Village, Jayapura, Maria lived and was raised by a simple family, Bunda. The father is a civil servant, while the mother is an ordinary housewife.
Economically, Maria’s family was far from well off. The daily life of the youngest of 8 siblings is used to being simple, including regarding education. His parents clearly couldn’t afford higher education.
Nevertheless, Maria is not complacent. Maria was still looking for ways to still get a decent education but also not burden her parents financially, and the answer she found at that time was IPDN.
“IPDN is free, funded by the state, so they don’t worry about (costs),” said Maria, quoted from the official Financial Media website of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.
Long story short, Maria graduated from IPDN and worked as a graduate, but her desire to learn continued to grow. In the midst of his first term of service, he was determined to take credits to return to studying at campus.
“So, when you just become an employee, you get employee credit to continue your Master’s degree. Then your family says, why do you want a Master’s degree? Our family can’t afford it, don’t be fancy,” explained Maria, imitating what her parents said.
Struggle to get an LPDP scholarship
After one semester, Maria felt that she did not fit in with the campus where she studied. He then decided to leave, Mother.
“I want a school like at IPDN, a school that really has professors, that is ready to teach. Suddenly I come here and relax, like sitting, there are assignments, (can) not do it,” he explained.
One day, Maria found an announcement for an English course for employees from BPSDM (Human Resources Management Agency). At that time, he still didn’t understand what TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) was. Even so, he still registered and studied seriously.
“TOEFL was the stupidest of me. Being number 45, I was the last student in the class (to pass) because the placement test used TOEFL. But thank God I was the last number, the last one to pass,” he recalled.
Because of her efforts, this led Maria to another program from BPSDM to learn English in Australia. He was one of the 10 people selected, you know.
Long story short, in 2015 BPSDM Papua held a scholarship exhibition, one of which was LPDP. Maria, who was very interested in continuing her education, took a three-month IELTS course.
“I struggle, I also go to the office (bring) English books,” he said.
He passed various LPDP tests until he finally passed. Maria chose the Human Resources Management and Services program at Marshall University, United States.
Continue reading on the next page, Mother.
For mothers who want to share about parenting and get lots of giveaways, come join the HaiBunda Squad community. Register click HERE. Free!