Amidst her tight schedule as murobbiah in Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS), Ustazah Kauna Bismie Abargiel, S.Pd., achieved remarkably. The 25-year-old woman won a prestigious exchange program, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship 2025.
The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an academic exchange program initiated by the United States Government. Of approximately 2,000 applicants, only 44 were selected, including Ustazah Kauna.
The US government-initiated program aims to strengthen leadership development and youth networks in Southeast Asia. One pathway is the YSEALI Academic Fellowship, an intensive short-term exchange program in a university or college in the United States.
The five-week program includes academic residencies, field trips, and volunteer activities. Participants will explore deeper into one of YSEALI's major themes, such as Community Engagement, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Natural Resources, or Society and Governance.
The scholarship is fully funded by the United States Government, covering costs of living expenses, airfare, insurance, and other academic expenses.
The goal is clear: to develop leadership skills and professional capacities of Southeast Asian youth through intensive study and training in the US.
The journey to this scholarship was barely short. Since 2021, she has been preparing a social project for her application and tried numerous times to apply for scholarships or similar programs, but it has always been a failure.
Finally, at the age of 25, after 5–6 months of intensive preparation, the good news arrived. "I was deeply moved, because I received confirmation while standing in front of the students' room. I felt mixed emotions; I never expected God to give me this opportunity," she said with gratitude.
"I was driven to join the program since I spent time in Thursina IIBS Islamic boarding school environment, where the academic life of students is mostly international," she added.
The YSEALI Academic Fellowship program itself is a prestigious event held twice a year, each fall and spring. In 2025, the program will take place in the United States from September 25 to October 31, 2025. For her, this is the first exchange experience in America and a testament to the value of perseverance and prayer.
When asked about her hopes, she delivered a profound message: "Never underestimate your own potential. Scholarships are like a match; some are perfect and compatible, while others aren't. Don't be discouraged if you fail; keep trying until you find the right one. And don't forget, there's a heavenly path, because God determines everything."
With the spirit, her departure not only brings fame to herself but also serves as an inspiration to the students of Thursina IIBS and Indonesian younger generation, proving that big dreams can be achieved with determination, effort, and prayer. (iz/lil)
