The Interview

'Sup readers.

As promised, I am going to explain more and try recalling the interview questions asked by the interviewers on my previous LPDP scholarship test. About the whole test, each applicant will have different schedule for a set of tests; essay on the spot, leaderless group discussion, and the interview. Those who are applying for a master's (or PhD) program abroad shall undertake their tests wholly in English, while those who are applying for a master's (or PhD) program in Indonesia will do the tests in Indonesian.

I was quite lucky that my whole tests were scheduled on the same day. But the least fun part was that my first test was the interview 😂 My friends (LPDP awardees) gave me a lot of tips on how to face the interviewers and how to basically calm myself the hell down. I was so nervous as a lot of people were discussing how their interviews went and they even practiced minutes before their names were called. I decided to isolate myself in the Mushalla, and try not to think about anything but God. I chose to listen to music and review my documents in case there was something I missed. My dear friend, Eka, reminded me to give alms to people, even if it was just a small bar of chocolate because she believed that it would bring her good luck. (This is purely a good deed for a good deed principle, but it works all the time for me! --and probably Eka 😊)

After I realized that my name was about to be called (because I was scheduled to have the interview on 11.00 and it was already 10.45), I went down the hall to queue and my name was already on the board. When the organizing committee called my name, I went in the big hall filled with chairs and interview desks. There were around 12 desks in that hall and I was appointed to have my interview on the 12th desk. It looked like an exhibition room but the vibe was definitely different.

I sat on my chair in front of the interviewers, there were three interviewers in front of me: a psychologist and two academicians (but I forgot from which university they were). I greeted them and they started asking me questions.

Interviewer 1: Can you please introduce your name? Please state the university you are applying for and the reason you choose that university.

Me; My name is Nabilla, I graduated from Universitas Padjadjaran's Faculty of Law last 2015. I am currently holding an unconditional offer from the University of Sydney's Master in International Law program. I have been interested in studying in this university ever since I was still on my bachelor study. It is one of the best law schools in the world and I believe that its courses are interesting and they suit me well.

Interviewer 1: Only because of that?

Me: Well I have done my research on the Master in International Law programs, but since I have been really interested in Human Rights issue and I am planning on writing about the refugee and foreign workers' rights issue for my thesis, I found an expert in this field who happens to teach in the University of Sydney. He is a notable scholar who has once worked in the United Nations, and he is also the expert in the labor law. I have made several contacts with him and he is more than interested in discussing my topic with him. He is even willing to introduce me to his wife who is also an expert in refugee and labor law. Moreover, the University of Sydney has one of the best research center in International Law which offers an internship for its students to work at the research center, thus I believe that it will benefit me because I am planning to be a lecturer and a researcher in International Law upon the completion of my master's study.

Interviewer 2: And are you confident that you will be accepted in that internship program?

Me: I am, Sir. The requirements are an application form and a strong academic report. With my previous academic record I am confident to apply for this program and as far as I know, the students who have not had previous opportunities to undertake paid or unpaid work in a relevant field are especially encouraged. So at least I believe that I will be qualified for the last criteria. (jokingly)

Psychologist: So tell me about your daily activities. Have you ever been involved in any kind of social activities around your neighborhood?

Me: Yes, actually it is quite an interesting story because I once talked with a man in my neighborhood who was responsible for the administration matters in our housing area, and he told me that the computers at the village's office were burned due to a power outage and the people at the office were quite overwhelmed with the legal documents matters. So I came to the village's office to offer a help, I eventually worked as an intern helping the village's secretary to input all the remaining data to the new computers. It was an interesting experience for me and from that I learned that there were a lot of things that needed to be fixed. I talked to the chief of the village and he told me that there were still a lot of people who did not understand about the law in terms of basically everything. Eventually, I was inspired by what the chief said to me, and I started to think about establishing a small community consists of law students and graduates who are willing to share their knowledge in law with the society.

Interviewer 1: So did you make the community? Is it like an organization?

Me: Yes, kind of. I gathered some of my friends. We call ourselves Pemuda Peduli Hukum. We have organized this small seminar for the people in my village which will be held next December. We are going to share our knowledge on domestic violence as it is surprisingly a common thing around my neighborhood. It is actually a crime, but people rarely speak up to it because they are afraid or they don't even know that it is a serious crime. So hopefully the seminar will run well.

Psychologist: Can you please tell me. What is your biggest failure in your life, and how did you overcome it?

Me: Well, actually this is my second time applying for LPDP scholarship. I applied on the second batch of this year but I failed.

(All the interviewers' eyes are on me)

Interviewer 1: So what did you do?

Me: I kind of knew what my fault was. I was not really well prepared at that time. The previous interviewer asked me whether I had an experience on being an assistant lecturer because I told him that I wanted to be a lecturer, and I said no because I knew that the university requires us to have at least a master's degree to be a formal assistant lecturer. But I tried applying to at least have an internship in my university as an assistant. At first it was really hard but I didn't give up, and now I am currently working at the Dept. of International Law in my university helping the lecturers with all the things that they need, and I believe it is such an amazing opportunity for me because I realize that being a lecturer is indeed my passion and I also receive some great opportunities to join the lecturers in some trainings for the educators which I believe will benefit me in the future.

Secondly, I did not have a Letter of Acceptance at that time, but I do now. And what I am trying to say is that I evaluate all of the things that I missed on my previous interview and I try to not make the same mistake and fix all the things with a better preparation.

Interviewer 2: Alright, I guess that is all from us. Thank you for your participation, and good luck with the result.

(All the interviewers shook my hand goodbye)

Actually there were some other questions that they asked such as things related to my family's support and my knowledge on the topic that I am going to write on my thesis later on. However, I believe that these are all the important questions which I believe were quite significant during my interview, and of course I did not asnwer specifically like that but it was more or less like stated above😉

For those who need any advice on literally anything, feel free to hit me up on email (you can ask me on my Instagram or simply on the comment box below), and I will try as much as I can to help.

Cheers!