Today, 4th September 2020, remarks my one year journey studying in France, all the tears and hardworks finally came to a successful first year, YES, I passed my first year with a title and certificate for my master program in International commerce in IAE Montpellier, France. Furthermore, I am doing my internship now in a French small enterprise nearby to Montpellier city. It was totally a remarkable journey, but today I am not going to talk about the journey I had in France but rather the personal hardship I had to go through to get into this journey. It was surely unique, it all started in 2016, where I got news in the Philippines (When I was working there) that Canada is opening immigration program where we can move, work and live there to get a permanent residence one day. That day, I decided to learn the country deeper and I found out they speak two languages there which are French and English. At that time, I was already a fan of Anggun, if you did not know who is she, She is a former Indonesian who is a French singer / superstar now. Inspired by her dedication, I decided to learn French one step by step. I had even stronger motivation when I had the opportunity to meet her during her album promotion in Eastwood city in Manila. But by working and at that time, i was also trying to get scholarship in different country like Australia, New Zealand and even the Indonesian government scholarship to go to UK, I was not capable to focus instead of learning just the basic. Luckily, i sang a lot so some of the words stick in my mind and I became better at memorizing some useful phrases. Since I was also busy working and having this dream to get a scholarship in foreign countries, i said to myself, it is all just good to focus on one purpose, one scholarship to target and give it all out rather than having too many branches but in the end my candida was not strong and competitive. Unluckily (or maybe lucky), I failed to get a scholarship from the Indonesian goverment to study in the UK, by that said I had to go back to Philippines to work right away after the selection. Dissapointed cause I was hoping too much on it already, but my burning spirit is not giving up at all looking for another scholarship. Thought at one point, I realized that probably my contribution to Indonesia once I am graduated is questionable so maybe that was the reason why I was not accepted. But if I had to contemplate what had happened, I am so grateful cause with the scholarship program I have now, we are not forced to do that but rather the contribution is encouraged in any form as long as it has developing purpose and give advancement to the country and the world where my focus in this case was International trade between countries.
After I had my first failure applying on scholarship, I found out in France that they have these French government scholarships program where I were also interested in applying. So I decided in 2017, just to focus on this one rather than other scholarships in other countries. However, the language was way too complex to learn by myself and when there is nobody to practice with in the Philippines it becoming more complicated than you can imagine. Consequently, in 2018 I quitted my job just to focus on the French language. I got a lot of critics from my family and even from some friends at this rate, they bashed me like I dreamed way too big, like i want to leap out from two stone to another stone in a pond, it's totally risky and having a high failure risk. Moreover, they told me that I was not an alumni from International school and learning new language in a very short length-time is definitely impossible especially when it comes to French. Of course I know that, but I told myself that I rather live giving efforts than giving up without trying. Eventually, I still sticked my nose on it and started having courses from A1 level to B2 level in my hometown, a language institute called Alliance Francaise. Learning intensively around 9 months was definitely exhausting and energy-draining, however I successfully attained my objective which is to pass the DELF B2 French language level on November 2018 that is required at least to apply to French universities (with French modules). After selecting plenty universities, I finally did not choose French modules to go with, I applied only to English one with Montpellier University (IAE Montpellier) for the Commerce International master program. It was only my hope back then, so I prayed everyday to God, I said whatever is the result, I knew that I always had your blessings and supports, at least now I already gave maximum effort to pass the language examination. Though of course, with again, an enormous hope, I still want to make my dream come true, however at some point, I do not want to get too much pressures on my mind, so I try to accept the fact in case if I were not accepted, it is going to be okay too, cause what can we do eventually after applying and just waiting for the application result. Not to forget that I was 25 years old back then and in Asia, somehow man was expected to search for a life partner by this age and marriage, having children were seen as a key of happiness. Also, the truth is people get married sooner as well in Asia compared to Europe, however that is not whole purpose in my life. Of course, I would not lie to myself, I will need love and companion one day, but if I meet the one who I love undeniably with my heart and not just being forced because of age matter. My passion was pre-destined, 'to become a world citizen where I can speak few languages of the world, having a business instinct, live with different cultures, continuous improvement, a better human being, peace-promoting, share more love & kindness and live comfortably'. At least, that was what I convey to the God I believe in, and hoping that I will be given the chance to enrich my knowledge and becoming an inspiring figure (hopefully) one day.
Talking about the scholarship, the first selection was to pass the University assessment from the administration part first, then continue to the university department where we want to study and finally but not least, forwarded to the French government for the final selection if your application was chosen by the university. Other frightening fact about the scholarship application is also if once you failed the candidature, you are forever banned to apply it again the next and following years. YES FOREVER and EVER ! So basically, it was supposedly my only chance to get in France in one shot or never. The competition was also tight enough, if I was not mistaken, we have around 1600++ candidates for the program at that time. Next, I started selecting university from November 2018 and in December 2018 I made up my mind to go with Montpellier University for my scholarship admission (because you can only choose one university according to the application rules). I was so impatient to know the result from the start, however the selection process itself takes a very long time from December to March. In March, they announced that the scholarship announcement will be delayed in one more month which at that time, I was already hopeless. Since I can't wait no more and hold with it, I somehow applied some job just to pass time, earn money and see in case if ever I was not accepted for the scholarship, I would have work already by that time.. One, two months passed, I worked in a Palm oil manufacturing company as a field Auditor just to spend some free time and of course learning new things since February 2019 and on April 2019, the announcement day finally came, They published a list of the accepted laureats (scholars) on the CAMPUS FRANCE site and YEAH, MY NAME WAS THERE !! AT THE END OF THE LIST coz my surname comes with the first letter 'Y' so... It was totally dramatic when I was trying to scroll down the 200++ names listed just to find my name on the bottom page. I was crying and hugging my twin brother in the morning founding this announcement, it was definitely hard to believe if I reflect it back on my past. I was actually a failure where I did not pass my first year high school nevertheless, that was actually the turning point where I changed my mindset with everything in life. I reflected a lot and became a totally different person now. Maybe some old habits stay, but better human being is a mere objective till today. :) So if what the proverb said that failure is the key of success, then probably in my case, it is true and I am grateful I had my failure earlier. :)
Oh In case if you guys are asking which scholarship program I was applying ? It is called the Excellence Eiffel Scholarship which was financed by the French government. That year in 2019, I was one of three Indonesians who were listed in the announcement. Lucky me and us :D
I will try to write about my experience studying in France next time, please stay tune and hope you enjoyed my writings ! Thanks for reading <3
Love,
Steven
