“What do you want to become?” 

The question caught Milhatun Nisa off guard during a thesis consultation session with her supervisor. Milha, a graduate from the first cohort of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), found the simple question lingering in her mind long after the session ended. And it’s what pushed her to pursue a doctoral degree.

Now, that question has turned into something real. Milha is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at SOAS University of London, supported by the Arryman Scholarship. She’s no stranger to the UIII community, shortly after graduating, she shared her experience studying at UIII in this interview.

For Milha, pursuing higher education isn’t just about earning a degree, it’s a path toward a better life and better professional opportunities. One sentence in particular became a driving force for her, “For women, being diligent and smart isn’t enough, they have to be extraordinary to reach positions men often achieve with ease.” That sentence became her call to become one of those ‘extraordinary’ women.

The road to SOAS wasn’t without struggles. First, she had to settle far from her loved ones, in an entirely unfamiliar environment. Second, she needed her family’s blessing, something they hadn’t previously prioritized when it came to studying abroad. Winning them over took time, patience, and a lot of careful conversations.

“Throughout my life, I’ve come to believe that when we truly want something, the universe will guide us there,” she said.

When asked what advice she’d like to say to her past self, Milha’s answer was simple yet meaningful, “Don’t spend too much time thinking about things that are still uncertain. It only drains your energy. Just face it, see how things play out, and trust in God’s plan for your life.”

This advice goes beyond her own journey. A reminder for anyone standing between doubt and the drive to go further with their education.