Recently, Lalu Ary Kurniawan Hardi, an alumnus of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) majoring in Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) in 2021, earned the title of Best Student at Poland's prestigious research university, Nicolaus Copernicus University.

Ary, as he is known, has consistently demonstrated remarkable achievements during his time at UNAIR. He was awarded the title of Best Graduate of FISIP in 2021, achieving an almost perfect GPA of 3.98. He also secured the 3rd place in the Outstanding Student category at UNAIR in 2019, along with several awards in debate and essay writing.

Ary's commitment and motivation for excellence continued into his master's program. "From an early age, I have always strived to make the most of my talents and interests. My motto is 'Life is about fighting until God says it's time to go home.' So, as long as there is time and energy to try, I will continue to pursue all of my dreams," he expressed.

Securing a Scholarship from the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government

Ary revealed that pursuing studies abroad was no easy task. To study in Europe, he first had to pass the selection process for the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government Scholarship. Through a rigorous selection process, Ary successfully became one of the recipients of the scholarship.

"I am extremely grateful to receive this scholarship. One of the advantages of this scholarship is that we (the scholarship recipients) are allowed to pursue careers and further studies abroad. Additionally, we can also seek additional scholarships outside of the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government Scholarship, which is a privilege not available for other scholarships," Ary explained.

Ary shared that his main motivation for studying abroad was to develop his expertise in the field of politics. During his studies at UNAIR, he focused solely on political theories and national politics. Ary hoped that by pursuing further studies, he could expand his knowledge to include contemporary and applicable political theories, international politics, and security studies.

After thorough research and consideration, Ary decided to pursue his master's degree at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland. "Poland is a country that welcomes international students because the cost of living, including clothing, food, and housing, is relatively affordable compared to other European countries. The public transportation system here is also more convenient than in larger countries like France. Moreover, NCU is the top research-based university in Poland," explained the UNAIR alumnus.

Achieving a Perfect GPA

During his master's studies, Ary often faced challenges due to lectures being conducted entirely in English. He had to learn scientific English terminology he had never encountered before. However, through hard work and responsibility, Ary overcame these challenges and achieved a perfect GPA.

"I used my free time to read extensively, consulted with professors, and sought guidance outside of the classroom from teachers whose courses I found challenging. I am grateful because the education culture in Poland is constructive, and there is a lot of support from patient professors who guide me," he shared.

In addition to achieving a perfect GPA, Ary also secured a position as a research assistant at the Institute of Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences under the National Science Body funding scheme, received scholarships for outstanding students from the rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University, and obtained research grants from Polish educational and governmental institutions.

Author: Rafli Noer Khairam

Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia

Source : unair.ac.id/kisah-ary-alumnus-unair-yang-raih-gelar-best-student-di-kampus-polandia