An Economics student of batch 2012, Robi Jamil Romdhoni, achieved a scholarship of the embassy of Columbia to learn Spanish in Columbia. The scholarship program will begin from August to November 2016.

The program was IV Spanish as a Foreign Language Course for Tourist Guides and Undergraduate and Graduate Students from FEALAC South-East Asian Countries. It was for undergraduate and graduate students from 36 countries in East Asia and Latin Asia. Indeed, there were eight Indonesian selected participants.

“I gained information of the scholarship from a lecturer of UMY, Idham Badruzsaman. He assisted me during applying it online,” Robi told. In fact, Idham is an International Relations lecturer pursuing his master’s degree at a university in Spain.

Robi informed that there were two phases of the scholarship selection process. First, he filled online application form and attached required documents such as student letter proof, academic transcript, passport, language proficiency test result, medical check-up result, and others. Second, he had an interview session via Skype.

“The program is fully funded. The selected participants will learn Spanish language and culture as well as Columbian culture at Universidad Santo Tomas Seccional Bucarmanga, Colombia,” Robi mentioned.

“I still do not believe that I can be one of the awardees. I am glad and grateful,” he expressed.

Additionally, chairperson of International Student of Cooperation office of UMY, Idham Badruzama, S.IP., M.A. argued that the student exchange to Spain is a stepping stone for UMY’s students to learn the other foreign language besides English, Arabic, French, and Chinese. “Spanish is the second national language of the United States and most of Latin Americans speak Spanish,” Idham conveyed.

Idham believed that Roby’s achievement will motivate other students to obtain overseas scholarship. “I wish that UMY can be much greater due to the foreign language mastery of the students, and they may possess many occasions to work aboard as Latin America, Spain, and the United States,” he expected.