The Employee of Building Materials Shop Successfully Maintained Her GPA 4.00 in IPB

Everyone Has a Story in Life.  But not everyone tells their story. Sharing the stories that shaped your life doesn’t make you weak.   It makes you human. Inspirational stories are always owned by everyone. It is the story of the female student of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) who is now in her fourth semester. Her strong motivation to pursue her higher degree program after high school, as well as her desire to change destiny and socioeconomic status of her parents are her reason for never give up in achieving her ultimate goals.

Ari Elisa Ratih, the student of the Department of Aquatic Product Technology of Bogor Agricultural University (THP IPB), successfully maintained her perfect 4.00 GPA for 4 consecutive semesters. She has gone through many difficulties to enable her to pursue her higher degree program in IPB. To make money for her life she worked as shop assistant in building material shop, up to the opening of the second batch of Bidik Misi scholarship.

"At the beginning, her parents did not allow her to pursue her higher degree program in the university.  But, I kept trying to apply to be admitted into IPB Aquatic Results Technology through SNMPTN method, and her parents did not realize it. While had been waiting for the announcement of the admission into the university, I had been working in building material stores and department stores to save money to fund the re-registration if I would be admitted. Alhamdulillah, I was admitted into  IPB, but my application for Bidik Misi Scholarships was not accepted. I was confusing, how to solve such big problem. It was rather difficult for her to decide, as she had not been supported by her parents. Without the concerns of parents it is difficult to apply for such scholarships," said 19-year girl on 16 February 2018.

Nevertheless, supports for female student who is familiar to be called Lisa continue to arrive. One of them was from the Regional Student Organization (OMDA).

"When she was about to start her registration process for the new student of IPB, her parents cried because there was no guarantee that she would be granted Bidi Misi Scholarships.  And there was nothing she could really do except resign. Suddenly a member of Organisasi Mahasiswa Daerah (OMDA – Regional Student Organization) of her region came and supported her, "Keep on studying, inshaAllah we are behind you all the way!" It wa really comforted me, as I would be supported by OMDA. I expressed the support of OMDA to my parents. Finally, my parents allowed me to continue my study," added Lisa.

The educational background of her parents are only from elementary school (SD), and his father is the crew of fruit ship (ABK), however they always encourage Lisa to prove that she is able to boast of her parents.

“I would be thankful for my parents for their blessings and endless support they have given to me. Alhamdulillah finally my application for the Bidik Misi Scholarships was granted in the second batch. I don’t want to disappoint my parents, friends, and other people who have supported me, I have to keep on working toward my goal. In addition to keep on learning, while I had been staying in the dorm, I never forget to pray. I often performing  Tahajjud and dhuha prayer. God bless my prayers and I successfully earned GPA 4.00 in the  1st, 2nd, and 3rd  semester," said the female student from Rembang, Central Java. (Wied)