Aspiring to uplift her family’s status and fund her younger sibling’s education, Elsa Yuliana (18), a prospective new student at Universitas Gadjah Mada from Sentolo, Kulon Progo, proved that unwavering sincerity and hard work can lead her to achieve her dream of pursuing higher education at UGM.
Elsa, as she is commonly called, successfully gained admission to UGM without taking a test through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP) pathway in the Regional Development Program at the UGM Faculty of Geography. She also successfully secured a 75 percent Single Tuition Fee (UKT) subsidy from UGM.
Elsa is the second of three siblings, daughter of Sudiyana (47) and Parjiyah (48).
Her father works daily as a mosque caretaker and a laundry laborer, earning an uncertain income, while her mother is a homemaker.
With a humble economic background, Elsa admitted that since 10th grade, she had intended to pursue the SNBP pathway, considering her parents’ financial situation.
“I also always studied on my own because my parents couldn’t afford to register me for lessons,” Elsa said at her home, with tears in her eyes, on Wednesday (Jun. 4).
During her schooling at SMA Negeri 1 Wates, Elsa not only focused on her studies but also actively participated in various organizational activities, especially as a Pramuka (Scouts).
Her mother, Parjiyah, recounted that Elsa often participated in Pramuka competitions at the regency level and won several awards. This made both her parents confident to continue supporting her.
“For a long time, if Elsa said she wanted to go to college, I would support her. I supported Elsa to study at UGM. I am grateful that my child knows her desires are big, so she always wants to strive,” Parjiyah added emotionally.
Earning UKT Subsidy
The news of her being accepted at UGM certainly brought great happiness to Elsa and her family, especially considering that Elsa is the only one attending college in her family.
Her parents are high school graduates, and her older sibling is a vocational high school graduate.
However, behind that gratitude, worries also arose regarding the education costs that had to be borne. Sudiyana admitted to being anxious but held on to the belief.
He believed there is always a way if his child is serious.
“Of course, there was happiness. But at that time, I kept thinking. Happy while thinking, ‘How will I pay tomorrow?’, like that. Then, alhamdulillah, Elsa managed to get a UKT subsidy from UGM,” Sudiyana said with teary eyes.
Despite her father’s job as a mosque caretaker, Elsa claimed she never felt inferior. She even often helped her father clean the mosque when he was overwhelmed.
Elsa admitted she was happy to lighten her parents’ burden a little.
“I often help too if Bapak (father) is tired,” she said.
Elsa hopes that by studying at UGM, she can complete her studies on time and start working soon.
This is so she can help fund her younger sibling’s education.
“After graduating, what do I want to do? Actually, I just want to uplift my parents’ status. Because our economic situation can’t stay like this. My younger sibling is still in elementary school. Later, I also want them to go to college so they can uplift the family’s status,” Elsa stated.
Elsa is grateful for the opportunity to study at UGM, thanks to the UKT subsidy.
According to Elsa, she does not want to waste this opportunity to achieve her dreams but also to open new hopes for her family’s future.
“My message to friends who are also struggling: never give up, no matter the circumstances, including economic ones. Everything definitely has its own way. If we have the intention and continue to pray and strive, there will surely be a way. The important thing is not to give up,” Elsa advised.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Slamet Sihono