Expanding Horizons of Internationalization: GET Strengthens Financial Mobility for Nigerian SN-GES 2025 Scholars through GoPay Activation and Smart Finance Mentoring
Cirebon, October, 8th 2025 — The Global Engagement Team (GET) at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon continues to pioneer initiatives that go beyond conventional academic support, emphasizing digital competence and real-world adaptability. Recently, GET assisted Nigerian recipients of the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellent Scholarship (SN-GES) 2025 in setting up their GoPay accounts, a key tool for navigating Indonesia’s increasingly cashless society. Lala Bumela, Ph.D., highlighted the broader purpose of the program: “Our task is more than just administrative — it’s about enabling students to gain confidence, independence, and connectedness in every facet of their academic and daily life.” The initiative reflects a holistic approach, blending practical guidance with cultural and technological immersion.
The process was not without its hurdles. Many students faced challenges related to language, unfamiliar identification formats, and navigating complex digital interfaces. Completing registration forms and understanding app functions proved confusing at first. However, rather than presenting these issues as obstacles, the GET team reframed them as opportunities for skill development. Through patient mentoring, students were encouraged to understand not only how to complete tasks, but also the rationale behind each step within Indonesia’s digital finance ecosystem.
In one session, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., emphasized the significance of adaptability: “Mastering digital tools is not merely a technical skill; it is a lesson in living globally. Understanding financial systems and cultural norms together is essential for thriving in an international environment.” His words helped students shift focus from the immediate challenge of app registration to the broader picture of personal and professional growth. What could have been a mundane procedure became a meaningful cross-cultural learning experience.
To further support the students, the GET team developed a bilingual guide containing step-by-step visual instructions, key terminology, and cultural tips. Mentoring took place in small groups to encourage interaction, peer support, and collaborative problem-solving. Gradually, students gained confidence, helping each other and sharing practical tips. What started as a simple administrative task transformed into an engaging and participatory learning activity, nurturing both digital literacy and intercultural understanding.
Soon after, all participating students successfully set up and began using their GoPay accounts for daily expenses like transport and meals. Their growing independence was evident as they navigated daily routines more efficiently and confidently. The initiative validated the International Office’s strategy of combining meticulous administration with empathy and technological support, proving that financial literacy can act as a bridge between practical life skills and cultural integration.
At the conclusion, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., reflected on the initiative’s broader significance: “Internationalization is not merely a matter of traveling abroad; it is about being equipped to live and thrive in diverse environments.” Through projects like this, GET demonstrates that global readiness is achieved not only by crossing borders but also by empowering students to connect meaningfully with systems, cultures, and people wherever they go.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir