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Getting accepted into Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) through the prestigious SNBP (Academic Achievement-based National Selection) track is a major dream for most high school students in Indonesia. However, are high report card grades alone enough to guarantee your success and readiness in facing the dynamic world of higher education?

According to Wahyu Kusumawati, a former delegate of IYEN (International Youth Excursion Network) Batch 22 Chapter Malaysia, the answer is no. Academic achievements in school are just the first step. The real key to success lies in mental readiness, independence, and well-honed soft skills before stepping foot onto a university campus.

How did an international youth program by the Indonesian Youth Excursion Network help Wahyu successfully break into one of Indonesia’s top universities and fully prepare her for college life? Discover her inspiring story below!

1. The Biggest Transition Starts with Shifting Your Mindset

A three-year hustle in high school successfully secured Wahyu a seat at UGM via the SNBP track. However, she quickly realized that the learning climate in higher education demands a completely different level of responsibility compared to high school.

"In my opinion, the most important thing to prepare before entering university is not just academic grades, but also mindset and self-management skills. In college, we are required to be more independent in managing time, setting priorities, and making decisions," Wahyu shares.

By cultivating independence early on, transitioning from a high school student to a university freshman becomes much more strategic because you already understand your interests and the goals you want to achieve.

2. Overcoming Culture Shock Through Adaptation and Tolerance

Entering a brand-new, heterogeneous campus environment often triggers anxiety or culture shock for freshers. Fortunately, Wahyu’s involvement in the IYEN program to Malaysia equipped her with highly resilient adaptive skills. Throughout the program, she was constantly challenged to interact with youths from various regions and diverse backgrounds.

"That experience helped me learn to adapt, respect different perspectives, and understand the importance of tolerance in a diverse environment. This capability will be incredibly useful when entering university, which brings us together with people from all walks of life," she explains.

3. Mastering Crucial Soft Skills: Public Speaking and Debating

In the university world, students can no longer afford to be passive. You will be expected to actively voice your ideas, argue critically, and collaborate within a team. Through various presentations, group discussions, and networking agendas brought by IYEN, Wahyu successfully sharpened her communication skills significantly.

"The most helpful skills for me were public speaking and the ability to convey ideas. Through presentations and discussions, I learned to express opinions more confidently, structurally, and convincingly as a foundation for active collaboration in class."

4. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone and Expanding Global Perspectives

The international exposure Wahyu gained during her time in Malaysia completely shifted her view on self-development and the future. Being in an international environment alongside high-achieving peers instantly expanded her horizons.

"After participating in IYEN, I realized that the world is much wider than I ever imagined. That experience pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, consistently develop myself, and dream bigger—including pursuing my higher education abroad with a scholarship in the future."

Conclusion: Small Steps for Big Leaps

Out-of-school experiences—whether through organizations, volunteering, or international youth programs like IYEN—are the best investments to build personal value that cannot always be found inside a traditional classroom. This international portfolio is exactly what solidified Wahyu’s readiness to become a fully prepared UGM student.

Closing the conversation, Wahyu left a motivating message for fellow students out there who are currently fighting for their dream universities:

"The future is built from the small steps we dare to take every single day. Therefore, never be afraid to try, because great things often start from the courage to begin."

Do you want to sharpen your mental readiness, master crucial soft skills, and build a stellar international portfolio just like Wahyu?

Don't miss the chance to expand your global networking and step out of your comfort zone. Register yourself as a delegate for the latest batch of the Indonesian Youth Excursion Network (IYEN) international program right now! Take your first step and click the registration link available in our bio.