IELS
Making Dreams of Studying in the U.S. a Reality: Zaki's Global UGRAD Journey
Muhammad Zaki Fazansyah
IELS Circle

Muhammad Zaki Fazansyah

IELS Speaker · VP, IEEE ITB SB · Biomedical Engineering, ITB

Making Dreams of Studying in the U.S. a Reality: Zaki's Global UGRAD Journey

South Dakota, U.S. · July 26, 2025

1 Semester

at University of South Dakota

🇮🇩 → 🇺🇸

Global UGRAD exchange

01

From High School Dream to Global UGRAD

Fresh out of high school, Zaki made it his goal to study abroad. In August 2023, he applied for Global UGRAD, and in 2024, he departed to the U.S. to spend a semester at the University of South Dakota.

02

A Broader Academic View

"Even though the topics were similar, it was insightful to see how technological advancements shaped education there. It definitely broadened my academic knowledge."

“It was truly a cultural experience. I was eager to introduce my own culture to the people there.”

— Zaki

03

Sharing Indonesian Culture Abroad

Meeting people from around the world deepened his appreciation for diversity, while also strengthening his pride in Indonesian heritage. His experience became a chapter he later shared as a speaker in the IELS Insight Series.

✍️ Written by Valerine Aubrey Surjadi · 🎨 Design by Zainufri Aziz

Through the Journey

Moments from Muhammad's experience.

📸

Photos from Muhammad's journey coming soon

📸

Photos from Muhammad's journey coming soon

📸

Photos from Muhammad's journey coming soon

Connect with Muhammad

Curious about the journey? Reach out directly.

Meet more SEAblings

This story is one of many journeys happening across Southeast Asia.

Practice English. Meet people from Southeast Asia. Exchange experiences. Discover opportunities.

More SEAblings to meet