Shafa Yasmin As Sajidah, a student from the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences,
Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has been selected to participate in a student exchange program at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. She will spend one semester in Rome during the Fall term of the 2025–2026 academic year, as part of a bilateral collaboration between USU and Sapienza University of Rome.
Shafa was nominated by the Kantor Urusan Internasional (KUI) of Universitas Sumatera Utara after successfully passing a document-based selection process. The requirements included a minimum GPA of 3.00 and a foreign language proficiency certificate at the B2 level or higher. She independently managed the entire application process, including document preparation, form submissions, visa arrangements, and securing accommodation.
At Sapienza University of Rome, Shafa will take courses at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Although most Political Science classes at the host university are taught in Italian, the academic system allows exchange students to enroll in interdisciplinary subjects that are relevant to their major and eligible for credit transfer at Universitas Sumatera Utara.
The program adopts a co-funding model: tuition fees are waived by the host university, while expenses such as travel, visa, accommodation, and daily living costs are the responsibility of the participant. In preparing for her departure, Shafa also consulted with members of the Indonesian Student Association in Rome (ISAR) for guidance and support.
Her participation highlights how students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences actively pursue international opportunities with initiative and independence. While the faculty is not directly involved in the program’s administration, it supports academic flexibility to enable students to engage in similar initiatives when applicable.
“This is my first time going aboard. I felt nervous at first, but my excitement is even greater. I hope this becomes the starting point for more opportunities, both for myself and others on campus,” said Shafa.
Her journey reflects a broader trend of Indonesian students participating in international academic exchanges, underscoring the growing global engagement of institutions like Universitas Sumatera Utara.
