UNAIR student earns prestigious Canada-ASEAN SEED Scholarship – unair.ac.id
Universitas Airlangga Official Website
UNAIR NEWS – An Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) student has once again achieved international recognition. Fransisca Charvia Lee, an International Relations student from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) class of 2022, has been selected as one of the awardees for the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program in 2025.
The program, initiated by the Government of Canada in partnership with ASEAN countries, offers opportunities for Southeast Asian students to engage in academic exchanges and research at top universities across Canada. Lee proudly represents UNAIR as the only student selected to participate in an exchange program at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in St. John’s, Canada, from September to December 2025.
Lee’s interest in Canada’s education system began when she researched international scholarship opportunities. “I started by doing independent research on scholarships in Canada and came across the Canada-ASEAN SEED program. When the undergraduate level opened in 2025, I didn’t hesitate to apply,” she said.
The selection process involved two stages, initial screening at the university level followed by final evaluation by the Canadian government. According to Lee, the toughest part was writing a 300-word Letter of Intent that needed to stand out. “I focused my essay on international diplomacy and intergenerational harmony in ASEAN, which aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities,” she explained.
At MUN, Lee became actively involved in multicultural activities and campus volunteering. She also represented Indonesia in a Cultural Fashion Show, proudly wearing a traditional Betawi kebaya.
“Many students here were fascinated by the kebaya I wore. It was an honor to introduce Indonesian culture in person,” she said. For Lee, this experience exemplified how International Relations students can practice cultural diplomacy and build mutual understanding in an international environment.
In preparing for her exchange, Lee received strong support from FISIP UNAIR, the International Relations program, and Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE). “The preparation period was quite short, only about two months from the announcement to departure, but the university’s support was incredible, especially in handling visa processing and travel documents,” she shared.
During her studies at MUN, she took courses in criminology, gender studies, and political science, which expanded her understanding of global justice and public policy.
After completing the program, Lee hopes to apply the values of inclusivity and accessibility she learned in Canada to her academic and community work in Indonesia. “I want to promote diversity and ensure equal access to education for everyone,” she said.
She also encouraged fellow UNAIR students to take bold steps toward international experiences. “Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Try, learn, and keep moving forward. It’s through courage that we discover how far our journey can take us,” she concluded.
Author: Nafiesa Zahra
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
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