By Atia Adjani | Photos: Achmad N. Jatnika

Depok — Is self-funding worth it at a university as young as Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII)? For Trimadona — Dona to her friends — the answer is unhesitating yes. As she nears the end of her Master of Arts in Education at UIII’s Faculty of Education.

“You’re not only paying for a degree,” she says. “You’re investing in an international academic environment, lifelong professional networks, outstanding mentorship, and personal growth that is difficult to find elsewhere for the same investment.”

It’s a confident answer, but it didn’t come easily. Dona held off on a master’s degree for more than twenty years after finishing her bachelor’s. “I don’t want to study just anywhere,” she explains. “I was waiting until I found a university and a faculty that truly met my expectations.” She first heard about UIII through friends in education advocacy, then got a closer look by attending its summer courses in 2022 and 2023. By the time she enrolled, it wasn’t a leap of faith, it was a place she already knew well.

Once classes started, what struck her most was how international the experience felt: “In every class, I studied alongside international students from many countries. The lecturers are another major strength. Many of them are internationally recognized scholars, yet they’re incredibly approachable and supportive,” a mix she calls genuinely rare.

Campus life did the rest. A shuttle connecting the dormitory to campus, a strong library, and mornings she looks forward to. Dona describes the campus as peaceful, green, and beautifully maintained. And she says she enjoys jogging around the grounds every morning before class.

For anyone who always dreamed of studying abroad, Dona thinks UIII gets close to that feeling, with advantage. “You can enjoy all of those advantages while remaining close to your family and staying connected to your professional network in Indonesia.”

Her message to hesitant applicants, especially working professionals no longer eligible for scholarships, is direct: don’t let cost stop you. Dona calls her time at FOE one of the best investments she’s made in herself. “You’re joining an international academic community, building networks across countries, and developing skills that will stay with you long after graduation.”

source: https://uiii.ac.id/an-investment-that-paid-off-world-class-education-close-to-home/