Achieving the 4th Runner-Up title or securing a Top 5 spot at Miss International 2024 was no easy feat for Sophie Kirana. Her journey to this prestigious international stage in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov. 12, 2024, was long and demanding.
The UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) alumna expressed deep gratitude for the honor.
“I feel privileged to represent Indonesia’s culture, values, and spirit on the global stage,” she shared in an interview on Thursday (Dec. 12).
Sophie’s beauty pageant journey began as a finalist in Puteri Indonesia 2024, representing the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). She was crowned 1st Runner-Up Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan, a title that led her to represent Indonesia in Miss International 2024.
Sophie advocated for the harmony between environmental preservation and cultural heritage, emphasizing themes like traditional herbal medicine, mangrove planting to mitigate climate change, and promoting gender equality.
Miss International 2024, which carried the theme “Sustainability in Pageantry,” resonated with Sophie’s life mission and inspired her to participate. She saw the competition as an ideal platform to encourage meaningful actions for global peace and sustainable futures.
To prepare, Sophie underwent intensive public speaking, catwalk techniques, and advocacy training.
She also digs deeper into Indonesian culture, studying traditional art forms like Wayang Srikandi, exploring traditional textiles, and understanding local philosophies to effectively represent Indonesia’s identity.
Sophie cherished the opportunity to showcase Indonesia’s beauty and uniqueness internationally. Her efforts culminated in a cultural promotion meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan before competing in the grand finale.
“I am grateful for the chance to adapt and interact with friends from diverse countries and cultures,” Sophie said.
She highlighted the role of emotional resilience, supported by meditation and spiritual practices, in managing the competition’s pressures.
“I prepared myself to accept all possibilities, including the potential for defeat,” she added.
Time management was another crucial aspect of her preparation. Through time-blocking techniques, Sophie balanced her responsibilities as Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan and rigorous training for Miss International 2024.
Sophie credited her success to the values instilled at FEB UGM. Integrity, collaboration, innovation, and social responsibility guided her.
“Integrity gave me the confidence to present myself on the global stage, and teamwork experiences during my studies helped me thrive in international competition,” she explained.
Creative thinking also played a vital role in addressing issues like environmental preservation and gender equality. Sophie emphasized the importance of social responsibility, which motivated her to contribute to society and the environment.
“FEB taught me to not only excel academically but also to build strong character, communication skills, and leadership abilities while maintaining pride in Indonesian culture,” she said.
Sophie’s achievement at Miss International 2024 has strengthened her commitment to advocating for environmental conservation and women’s empowerment on national and international platforms.
She hopes her success will inspire others, particularly FEB UGM students, to contribute to the global community while upholding FEB UGM’s core values.
“I hope the younger generation, especially FEB UGM students, will continue to make global contributions while adhering to UGM’s motto: Locally Rooted, Globally Respected. Let’s take pride in our cultural roots and values while boldly stepping forward to expand our impact internationally,” Sophie concluded.
Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho