Exchange Program - How?

This post will be a brief post about one thing - how do you apply for an exchange program?

I am currently in my first week of exchange semester in South Korea. Enrolled in Seoul National University, this experience is beyond my imagination. The process of achieving this is not easy, and it requires one full willingness and readiness to go through the process and show that you really want this, and you really deserve this.

This post will be more suitable to be read by Universitas Indonesia (UI) student, but just keep on scrolling if you want to have a glance on the application process.

1. Take a TOEFL test

If you want to be in any university for an exchange program, TOEFL test is a must. Be confident. Be prepared. Be ready to pay the amount of money for this test. If you really want to go exchange, this is only a small step that you need to take. Achieving high score is great, super great but no specific score will guarantee the success/failure of your application to certain university. It depends on the competitors that apply to that particular program. Your TOEFL score will be compared, along with other elements that we will be talking about.

For UI student, you can have a test in LBI in FIB UI for Rp. 350.000,- It takes a week to have your result, so check the test schedule (it's once in two weeks in Depok) and nail it!

2. Check your home university international office website frequently

International Office will receive offer from other universities to send exchange student, after IO get one, they will post the details and the deadline of submission on the website. It is crucial to keep informed about the program that you would like to enroll in.

For UI student, check up www.international.ui.ac.id or you can go directly to the office at Rektorat Building. I went frequently to ask them if a particular program was opened for scholarship or not. They are nice and helpful!

3. Prepare your documents

In any program, the required documents are: motivation letter, CV, and recommendation letter from your faculty. Your university is going to choose some best candidates to be interviewed. Make sure that your CV stands out and it has a tidy and informative format. Your motivation letter should be concise, but point out what you want to do in the exchange program, what experience that exchange program will contribute to you, or why you deserve to be chosen for that particular program. So anything about WHY you apply for this exchange program.

4. Check the availability of the scholarship.

In some programs, they will offer scholarships that you can request. There are AUN-ACTS program (exchange to Asia countries), JASSO Scholarships (to Japan), GKS (to South Korea), and others from Europe countries. Try hard to get one with scholarship so you can feel less burdened when you go to the exchange program.

5. Submit all your documents and frequently check your email for announcement

Don't ever miss any announcement that international office made. They will send you an email if the result of the selection of particular program - whether you need to be interviewed or you get it directly or you fail to have it. Be ready to be interviewed by Head of International Office, Pak Jun. Be ready with your answers because he likes to twist it up a bit hahahhaha but relax, and be honest.

Those are practically all of the steps that you need to complete if you want to apply for an exchange program. If you are admitted as one of the exchange student, then you will go to another different set of steps that will almost take your breath away but will result in a sweet and unforgettable moments in life.

P.S: I had missed many opportunities because I didn't check the website frequently. The good ones are usually popped out sooner than others. So, check the website now and feel free to ask anything to me. Goodluck! :) 

XL CEO Challenge (or XL BOD Challenge) - a priceless experience

December 4, 2014.

I hope one day when I opened up this blog again, I will have another inspiring story to share.

Good day, pal!

Today I will share my experience as BOD (Board of Directors) of XL Axiata on 24th to 28th Nov 2014. This is dedicated to all of my supportive friends that demanded a good story from me. (hehehe :p)

I will first tell you what this program is about.

"XL CEO Challenge are designed by XL Axiata to challenge top youth around Indonesia to be the CEO of XL Axiata Tbk for one full week. During this program, the 3 selected winners of XL CEO Challenge will receive facilities like a CEO, taking responsibility like a CEO, and make decision like a CEO. After this program, the winner will receive a certificate stated that they are the CEO of XL Axiata and a gift as a reward for being the CEO of XL Axiata."

You can find more information here, or you can see the ad here.

At first, the BOC (Board of Commissioners), the panelist, will only choose 3 students to get this priceless opportunity, yet eventually they choose top 4 for this opportunity.

So now. How do you get this opportunity clar? Where do you know it from? How is the selection process?

I know this program when I joined XL Roadshow in Universitas Indonesia (UI) months ago (April? May?). They tell me that only 3 top students in Indonesia will be chosen and I was like, "what? how could I possibly be chosen? I must be crazy for joining this program." But you know, when I opened the website to register at first, I was thinking, "I will give this a shot. Nothing to lose clar, nothing to lose."

So, the selection process consists of:

1. Essay - you should submit an essay that consists of 500 CHARACTERS (yes, not 500 words). It is super simple, super short, and concise. Theme: Why you should be chosen as CEO of XL Axiata.

Besides that, you should submit some documents online; picture of your KTP, yourself, your student card. You should submit your GPA too.

2. Video - top 200 students will be selected to the second selection. They should submit a two-minute video in which they have their speech speaking about why they should be chosen.

Yes, I did this one too. Hehe. You can see my hard-to-create video.

3. Interview - top 10 students will be invited to a conference video call to do the interview with the BOCs. They will be exposed with several questions in 15 minutes sharp.

(I hardly learnt and memorized the products and the current news about XL at that time HAHAHHAA)

And.......yes, I got it!

I was so excited at that time when I know that I made it. I was laughing and smiling and imagining all of the new things I will encounter. Oh my God.

The time finally arrived.

In XL Future Leaders 1 graduation (and XLFL 3 welcoming event), there was the video announcing the winners of XL CEO Challenge. It was nerve-wrecking. Knowing that every pair of eyes in that room were focusing on the announcement video right in front of hundreds students that were enthusiastic on who are chosen - I was so, so, so, nervous. Finally, Akhsani Indra Waskita (UGM) is chosen as CEO, Anthony Soehartono (IBMT) is chosen as CDSO/Chief Digital Service Officer, Hasnan Chatim (ITB) is chosen as CSMO/Chief Service Management Officer, and I am chosen as CCO/Chief Commerce Officer.

Later, when we are invited to step up to the stage, I was surprised to the task being assigned to me; to achieve IDR 23 trillions as revenue in the end of 2014.

I was like, "WHAT?!". I thought I will be 'tail'-ing the actual CEO and take a peek on what they do in daily basis. But I was wrong. I will actually 'be' the CCO of XL Axiata in some roles that the actual CCO really performs.

Soon after that, on that particular day, Sunday (23/11), I met with Mr. Fachri (I called him Ka Fachri, Mas Fachri, Om Fachri, depends on the situation) at Graha XL. He fetched four of us with a black shiny Alphard. (I had only ride Alphard once and this was the second time for me after months taking bus and train as a student in Jakarta)

I should say four of us tried to remain calm and not to be amazed too much by the luxury that Alphard could show you. (although we did take a pic with my tongsis(selfie stick) high up over Alphard's roof, which can be opened. #sorryforthealayness

Then, we arrived at a salon in Menteng area. The salon is extremely luxurious and from the aroma when we first came in, I knew that this must be an expensive salon. Long story short, we had makeover (I swore to you that Sani (the selected CEO) totally transformed to a handsome young CEO) and all of us are transformed to the professional young BODs (at least from our look(s)).

Soon after that, we went to have dinner in a restaurant called Bluegrass (if I'm not mistaken it was in Bakrie Tower) to receive briefing on our schedule for the upcoming week with Mas Dipta. And after we're done, we departed to our(?) apartment, which is Aston Rasuna. The apartment is not that luxurious, but it is comfortable with a living room and kitchen inside (which we do not enjoy because we barely have time in apartment).
In each room, we are exposed to four/five pairs of new business attires! *thumbs up

So those are basically all of the facilities and accommodations that we got right before we start our week as BODs. Because it will be too long to explain what we did every single day, I will explain roughly what we did in that week.

We first had BOD induction from the BOC (Board of Commissioners) and CEO of XL Axiata, Pak Hasnul Suhaimi. We obtained priceless lessons on what we should actually possess as a true leader, and what a C-level professional should actually do in daily basis.

The BOC showed us our office and we are truly excited for that! It was because we got our own name card too! So whenever we meet another people in that week, the name card will show them that we are the C-level executives in XL Axiata (omg how cool is that?!).

Besides, we are also informed about the assignments that we should do and present to Pak Hasnul at our last day as BOD.
CEO: How to improve XL performance
CDSO: How to improve XL Tunai at Universities
CSMO: How to do network quality improvement at universities
CCO: How to increase sales at universities

It may sound simple, but when I have team meeting (with Strategic Sales & Marketing division), I perceived that there are several problems arose that caused the sales in university is somewhat a special case - and the same goes to the other C-level. As a result, we should have something totally out-of-the-box idea to be presented.

-----

We slept around 11pm to 12pm everyday, and woke up 5.30 am to prepare ourselves to be fetched. Our schedule is so packed up, every single hour was scheduled! One moment we will be at Graha XL, the next moment we could be at Menara Prima 1 (XL office) or another place. 

We once joined a BOD meeting which is a very exclusive meeting. Even if you worked in XL for years as staff of xxxx division, you are not allowed to be in this meeting, unless you are the BOD or unless a BOD asks you to come and present something. I could not tell you specifically what we discussed in this meeting, but I could tell you it was about the strategic planning and decision making of a particular motion. The people in the BOD meeting are the actual CEO, CCO, CDSO, CSMO, Corp Secretary, and Corp Strategic Division. (Now you see how priceless this experience is to us)

We also had a separate schedule once. CEO (Sani) was sent to Singapore to receive award representing Pak Hasnul, CDSO (Anthony) was sent to Bogor to attend market visit for the students in IPB, CSMO (Hasnan) was sent to Yogyakarta to scan the network quality in that particular area, and the CCO (me) was sent to attend the press conference of Axiata Cup in Jakarta.

Nah, I should tell you that the experience when I attend this press conference as BOD of XL Axiata is totally, totally, priceless for me. No, I don't give any speech or anything like that. It's this little thing that made me smile. I was asked to sit at the first row (which is specifically reserved for us, executives of XL). If I was a student, I may not be given the chance to be in this press conference room, or if I was allowed, I might sit at the very back screaming over Simon Santoso. BUT I was sitting at the very first row!!! Sitting right behind me is, SIMON SANTOSO. I am a huuuggeee fan of badminton and I had only get the chance to see him via TV show! OMG when he was there I was like hardly controlling my fangirling-self inside. Although I don't get the chance to take any photo with him eventually (because it will be strange for a BOD with the uniform as an executive of XL stand up and take a selfie with the athlete when the press conference is occuring right in front of my eye)..... Let that moment be here inside my heart, and my mind..

Back to the track. Another event I attended is RMX meeting at Ritz Carlton Hotel. It is a meeting of Axiata Group, which is a holding company controlling some mobile operators like XL Axiata in Indonesia, Celcom in Malaysia, Dialog in Sri Lanka, and many more. So you can imagine how exclusive this event is, and two unidentified species (which are Anthony and me) were in the meeting and people are like, "Who are these guys? Ah whatever." It was an absolutely amazing experience to listen other telecommunications company present their perspectives or ideas that are implemented in their countries.

Another precious and amazing lessons we got are from the HuaWei, a telecommunications equipment and services company that are in charge of XL network quality. We took a tour in HuaWei offices which are super confidential with the big screen showing quantified data and graphics that made my eyes and brain almost explode hahahahaha! I mean, their work(s) are complicated and novel for me because my background was from Social Science, I do not understand anything about BTS, data transmission, satellite and so on. That's why I got priceless and new information about all of these.

The most important session of this BOD Challenge is......the presentation to Pak Hasnul Suhaimi. The night before, the men barely sleep composing the presentations and practicing because they didn't want to disappoint Pak Hasnul. I was composing mine seriously until 2 am until I realized that all of them fell asleep with their laptop on hahahah! Yes, that's how hard we try to compose our presentation after meeting with our own division and meeting internally (four of us) the days before.
When the last day of our BOD Challenge arrived, we barely had our breakfast. We run to Alphard with bread in our left hands, and sausage in the other. That day is so nerve-wrecking. We barely talk inside Alphard - when the days before we will be chattering on what we will encounter each day. Hasnan and I keep looking at our notes to ensure nothing is left behind, and.................I was the very first person to present my idea to increase sales at universities. I was nervous, but fortunately I could control myself well. The presentation ran smoothly... and although there are some inputs from Pak Hasnul, he said that what we did are 'beyond his expectation'.
*there goes the claps for us*
*all of us put smiles on our faces*
*but nobody knows that we are dying and crying inside because we are so grateful*
I should say that Sani (CEO) is doing a great job here. He is open to any suggestion and he is ready to help us so that all of our presentations are aligned to one another. I am so thankful that he is chosen as our CEO.

Soon after that, we have press conference in which Kompas, MNC, and other media came to ask us some questions regarding our experiences. And we got a surprise! Each of us received one Macbook Air. How could I ask for more, dear XL? 

And the next day, we checked out from the apartment and got all of our stuffs packed and arrived at Bunga Rampai Restaurant at Menteng. "Our last super luxurious meal", I thought. But XL never ceased to surprise us, they invited Mr. Rene Suhardono, the inspiring writer of 'Your job is not your career' and 'Your Journey to be the Ultimate U'. He gave us words of inspiration and he was also my reason to write up this story as soon as possible. Thank you Mr.Rene, you do inspire me to do better in life.

Lastly, I want to send my deepest gratitude to all of the people that had been helping me for that week. Thankyou Pak Hasnul, Bu Turina, Bu Ita, Pak Johnson, Pak Wim, Pak Gede, Pak Budi, Pak Ongki, Mba Ayu, Mba Icha, Mas Fachri, Ka Tidar, Miss Deedee, and of course my forever good pals, Anthony, Sani, and Hasnan. Thank you that you had been a part of my life, one of the best part.

Fuhh -------
For the people that read this long post till this paragraph, thank you. Thank you for reading my priceless journey and experience. I have some thoughts for you, and this is what I got from the experience as the CCO of XL Axiata.

What I mainly learn is, as a C-level, you do not work in the operational level, nor the tactical level. You work in the strategic level. The strategies comes from your mind, and you make decision whether it is the best, or not.

All of us should prepare ourselves to take decision in strategic level, not to work as the executor only. 

Many students believe, "I will be an accountant one day!" "I think being a staff in creative agency is cool!" "My dream is to be an architect!" "I want to be a Public Relations!". You are thinking at the tactical level --- or I should say operational level.

But I should say, you are more special than that. You possess your own passion and talent that makes you unique. You should have something more to be your dream job. You should be brave enough to say, "I will be CEO of this multinational company". or "I wi change the world in this area with my own way."

Never think that it is impossible for you to be the CEO of XL Axiata, or any multinational big company. CEO, should understand how it feels and how it works from the lowest position to the highest position - to truly be a leader. 

With that mindset, one day when you are working as a technician in a particular company for example, you will know that one day, you will be in that top level. For now, you are just learning how lower-level employee works first.
But if your dream is only to stay there, you will be stuck there because you feel that it is all you have ever wanted.

I am still learning, and I am the same with you. I am only a little bit lucky enough to jump from the phases and take a peek from the top on what I should prepare from today. I wish all of you the very best luck, and I know you will be successful.

Remember, that it is not about your willingness to take the chance. It is about your readiness to take the chance.

Claristy

Me and Mr.Rene Suhardono

My name card!

Yes, this is our craziness.

Press conference at Axiata Cup.

Our last day. I will never forget them.

I forgot to mention that my 20th birthday is celebrated in XL! They are the best in surprises.

Source: Okezone

And here is the link to the video (summary of the selection process): 

video

Internship at GEPI: what?

Hi there!

This blog is basically where I pour all of my thought into. So if it becomes a bit personal, please don't mind reading 'inside claristy'. :p

Well, life has been treating me so good lately. I feel grateful for every little things that finally encouraged me to share something through this blog - and apparently those little things are always good things.

I currently work as an intern in GEPI - Global Entrepreneurship Program Indonesia. It is an US initiatives in being a catalyst to Indonesians entrepreneurs, especially the startups. I work as a program assitant/assistant organizer/program associates. Uh, whatever it is called, I work under a senior program officer, a kind one fortunately.

People, especially my close friends, are totally confused on what this institution really does. I was, too, at first. It may be caused by my little-to-nothing knowledge on startup/entrepreneurs. I always simply thought that they are just like businessmen; create a product, sell it, get the money, done. But oh my, it is not that simple.

Being in GEPI had totally opened my eyes. It gave me priceless knowledge that I will not ever get from my academic environment. I learn how an institution like GEPI is important to early startups. Startups that are supported by GEPI will be incubated for several weeks to receive important knowledge from mentors (top and successful CEO). Lastly, these promising startups will be exposed to investors to help them raise fund.

As a non-profit organization, GEPI has several core programs beside CGI Bootcamp (that I explained earlier). 'Get in the Ring - The Investment Battle' is the other one. As project officer in this international project, I was so busy all day, constructing the best proposal for GITR Indonesia & GITR Asia-Pacific, checking whether the rundown I made is clear enough, etc.

Well, shortly, if I was granted a choice to choose another internship place beside GEPI, I would still choose GEPI. I have a kind-hearted & humorous Executive Director, Mr. Fung, who keeps inspire me with all of the professional work he did. The same goes to Ko Surya, my senior program officer that had been disturbed by all of my questions regarding my work - yet still patiently answering every one of them. My senior intern, Ka Rinta, is also an intelligent young lady that do really inspire me to do better in lives.

I will continue with another post shortly!(I wish)

Have a nice day!

dedicated to jojo.

Okay, so right now I'm typing in the middle of Christmas Eve, on my bed, with all the light off, so it's basically just me and my smartphone.

Today has been so tiring for me, but I should say I enjoyed today so much. FISIPERS UI had finally found a man who will replace Jojo's position as PU (Pemimpin Umum). I was the one who make Dodi as the next PU, and ut's bcs the voting resulted in a clear 50:50 between Dodi and Aninta. Therefore, as the moderator(which is me) had not voted for anyone, I had the right to choose and my choice will result in the name of the new PU FISIPERS UI 2014. Long story short, I chose Dodi.

Okay! I'm not typing this post for elaborating the reason why I chose Dodi. I am typing right now for a reason - saying how much I'm thankful to Jojo.

Jojo (PU FISIPERS 2013) is the reason I stay in Fisipers till this moment. And I should say that he is the reason why I would continue to the next year in Fisipers.

I remember him meeting me in front of Gekom, where he interviewed me on whether I really will contribute wholly to Fisipers or not. I clearly remember those round eyes of him looking right into my eyes. And the moment I say "Yes, I'm sure of this.", there's a voice in my head and I say to myself, that I will never disappoint him.

Long story short, I found him as a good, kind-hearted, humble, and funny leader in Fisipers. He always appreciate the hardwork that the staffs did, with his word "HITS BANGET." I should say that he's good at making people feel good about themselves. He's also friendly, calling me whenever he sees me. That makes me feel like being home, I feel being loved in this organization, and I'm happy in it.

Although my first choice was to be Fisipers' reporter but I ended up in the HRD division, I was really glad to be surrounded with good Kadiv like Ka Ajeng and other members in this division. They have the same feelings toward Fisipers, they feel love. I think this love is not only because of the Fisipers itself, but also because Ka Jojo, that somehow succeeded in building the professionalism with love in this organization.

Well, just now I read his post about us, the members of Fisipers, and he typed every member and describe something about them. This is so sweet I should say, and it made me teared up a bit, I should grab a tissue now that I start tearing again *brb*

Well anywayyyy (jojo's style), I don't know how many times I should say thankyou for everything you teach me, for every love that you shared, and for everything that you made me feel. You are a good brother to me, someone I can rely on.
As what Ka Vitha said to me, "I'm crying bcs I feel that I will lose jojo, he means so much to me and to fisipers, I just hope that you guys feel that too."

Yes, I feel that too, Ka Jojo.

Thankyou for everything, we'll miss you.

La Da Dee

La Da Dee La Da De Doo ~

currently listening to La Da Dee by Cody Simpson. I miss singing so much, I rarely go to karaoke room with my friends to sing (rd: scream as loud as we could), but once we find the time, you will see the different side of me completely. I can dance along with the song if I feel comfortable enough to show that side of me to you hahahaha!

Anyway, I'd just done my last test on my third semester, I finally choose the major I will learn until the last moment I will be in Communication Science. I have two options in mind, PR and Advertising.

Choosing between PR and Advertising as my major is a hard choice, I'd been asking all of the people I met to know their opinions about these majors and indeed I asked them what suits me best. Considering the prospect and excitement, I will choose Advertising. But being a Public Relations is what I aim to be when I was in high school.
Although confusion had overwhelmed me for some weeks, and people's opinions are not helping me! HAHA! (sorry for the people who gave me advice). The encouragement from them to choose one of those options made me confused, and more confused. They will answer like, "you have the ability to be a PR, but being in advertising agency will give you blablabla...."

Then what I do, what I really do to decide is..
ask my ownself.
"What do you want to be?"

Although it seems cliche, when you ask yourself the question, the answer won't pop up magically. Instead, you will find it as the nature give you sign on what the best for you, on what your ownself truly wants.

I answer the question with, "Public Relations."

Most people will think that this is actually a simple choice to be made, but for me, this decision is one of my life-changing decision.

I'm back.

Hello. Ya it's true, it's October 2013 now.

It's been really long till my very last time posting something in this blog. I don't even remember what I wrote here. But see, to inform you guys, I am currently studying in University of Indonesia, majoring in Communication Sciences (which was my dream I told you in my older posts) and enjoying every beat of my life being busy in some organizations here.

Let me tell you the thing that indirectly forced me to open up this blog and see what I had written the other day. So, this senior J is boss of the organization I'm currently in, which is FISIPERS UI. I'm an HDR staff in it. He told me that he just read my blog post because he found out that I am Sumut representative in NSDC two/three years ago. Idk why, but he ended up reading my post here - which is somehow so expressionistically - and I'm kinda shy of this.

So.......................
Well, I will face my midterm test of my second year here this Monday. Exactly at this moment, I'm trying to find problematic advertisement to be assessed - which is what my lecturer wanted me to do for my midterm test. So, wish me luck people, if I'm not busy, I will definitely spare more time to type stuffs here. :)

Oh, here is the new me. haha!

Determination and persistence is omnipotent.

Oh ha-lo.

Terribly perplexed of my university stuffs, I'm here to type some words.
So see, I'm having my unlimited holiday right now, but I need to reconsider if I want to spend this holiday slacking under the sunshine on the beach. Yaa, I need to go to my tuition everyday to start learning those social lessons.
Learning social books is NOT easy at all. I need to analyze geography, sociology, history and the suckest-of-all, economics.
I hate to realize the fact that I need to memorize all of those papers in order to get sufficient mark on the SNMPTN test. Sometimes I lie down and wonder.. if I'd chosen social class in my second year.. everything would be a lotttttttt easier. Ah, I couldn't regret anything. My choice made me who I am.

So, please wish me a very goodluck for Communication - UI!