Alya Hafidza Aldrin, British Council Girls in STEM scholar

“It’s a giant change,” says Aldrin, initially from Jakarta, who’s finding out in the direction of a grasp’s in water engineering at Brunel College. “It’s fascinating, it’s terrifying, it’s altering.

“I can really feel that I’m steadily altering as an individual. I really feel extra liberated,” she tells The PIE.

“I by no means imagined that I’d research right here. I all the time thought perhaps I’d go to Japan or Germany or the Netherlands as a result of it’s extra achievable for me.”

In its third yr, the fully-funded scholarship program permits girls with an undergraduate diploma in a STEM or STEM-related topic to hold out a grasp’s diploma within the UK, with out monetary obstacles. The entire monetary help covers tuition charges, stipend, journey prices, visa and well being protection charges.

“I by no means imagined that I’d research right here”

Aldrin, who holds a bachelor’s diploma in civil engineering from the College of Indonesia, had initially been accepted for a distinct scholarship program, providing her a spot at Tokyo College, however was compelled to say no on account of it solely being half-funded.

Within the “spur of the second”, she utilized to the British Council program, in a choice that may change the course of her life.

“I’m not going to say it was simple as a result of clearly it requires plenty of preparation… however the British Council doesn’t make it too difficult for us.”

Three months on from submitting her essays responses, she was shortlisted and after a ultimate interview, was accepted.

“I used to be so completely satisfied,” says Aldrin, who describes the scholarship program as past her expectations.

In line with information from UNESCO, fewer than 30% of researchers worldwide are girls and solely a 3rd of feminine college students choose STEM-related fields in larger training.

“It’s relatable. STEM is a fairly difficult main. As a lady, coming from a rustic like mine, they have an inclination to make us select between changing into a stay-at-home mom and focusing in your profession. It’s nearly unimaginable to decide on each.

“I feel for my age proper now – I see plenty of it – if I stayed again in Jakarta individuals would ask me, ‘Why aren’t you married?’

“My setting is definitely very supportive, particularly about finding out and information,” Aldrin tells The PIE, noting that each her mother and father have benefitted from journey overseas, both for research or work.

“However I do know some have environments that don’t help girls in any respect as a result of we nonetheless have plenty of conventional values. It’s good to carry some values however it’s important to change some views.”

As world attitudes change, and girls are offered extra alternatives like hers, Aldrin hopes to see these numbers rise within the close to future.

Aldrin, presently engaged on her dissertation on flood predictions utilizing machine studying, describes her course as “demanding” – along with her weekends spent finding out, alongside her part-time retail job – however admires the UK’s dedication to “arms on studying”.

She appreciates the mentor she has been assigned through the college who she is now working with to realize her subsequent purpose of finding out a PhD within the UK – along with her finish purpose being to “give again” to Indonesia in no matter means she will, she tells The PIE.

She feels supported by the British Council and appreciates the organisation’s willingness to let her get on along with her research moderately than asking for updates on her grade.

Aldrin is pleasantly stunned by the range she has seen, and heard, within the UK and is having fun with socialising with a worldwide group of pals.

“I by no means anticipated that within the UK I’d hear plenty of languages”

“I by no means anticipated that within the UK I’d hear plenty of languages. Each time I’m in a tube or one thing, I hardly ever hear somebody converse in English.

“What’s the purpose of shifting distant when you simply need to be in the identical pool?

“I’ve modified quite a bit, my mum even compliments me on how mature I’m proper now. I stay alone and I can’t actually depend on household and pals anymore.

“Primarily the good friend tradition right here could be very totally different than in Indonesia. In Indonesia we’re ready to drop all the things simply to help our pals… however right here we have now our personal priorities.”

Indonesians “prioritise politeness”, says Aldrin, and that is one other cultural distinction she is getting used to.

“I’ve discovered quite a bit not to try this right here, as a result of now I can really be easy and simply discuss to individuals about what I feel and if I do disagree with them.”

Her recommendation to different girls in STEM contemplating making use of to this system?

“Simply do it! Don’t give it some thought an excessive amount of, as a result of if you concentrate on it an excessive amount of, then you definately’re going to be scared… when you actually need it, it’s important to combat for it.”