UPNVJ Public Relations – Time constraints aren't always a barrier to pursuing an opportunity. This is evidenced by Shafa Ayla Zahra, a Bachelor of Law student at the Veteran National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ), who was selected as a 2026 Promag-Kalbe Wellness Scholar.

Interestingly, Shafa only learned about the scholarship three days before registration closed. She received the information from a friend in the Student Activity Unit (UKM). Despite the short preparation time, Shafa decided to give it a try.

Her interest grew after learning about the program's wellness mission. For Shafa, the issue of balancing academic activities and personal health is very relevant to student life.

"I felt this scholarship was specifically designed for students like me who still struggle to balance their studies and their health. From there, I became even more interested in participating in Promag's program to support my college life," said Shafa.

Portfolio Work in Public Transportation

With only a few days to spare, Shafa had to race against the application deadline. She prepared various documents, wrote essays, and even created her first portfolio.

Amidst her studies, she used her commute time to and from campus to complete requirements. She worked on her portfolio on public transportation, and consulted her essays with a friend studying Indonesian Literature for feedback.

This situation made Shafa feel less confident because her preparation was not as long as that of other prospective applicants who may have known about the program earlier.

"At the time, I felt inferior because I felt inadequately prepared. But thankfully, I was accepted into the Promag scholarship," he said.

News of her graduation came in a simple setting. After breakfast, Shafa received a text message confirming her scholarship. She was so surprised that she questioned whether the message was truly official.

"It felt like a dream. I was even afraid it was a scammer. But thank God, I was accepted," she said.

Parental Support Amidst Doubt

The journey to graduation wasn't entirely filled with confidence. The lack of detailed information regarding the selection process made Shafa anxious while awaiting the results.

Doubts arose several times. However, her parents' support was a source of encouragement that kept Shafa optimistic about her endeavors.

"I always thought, 'Will I get accepted? I don't think so.' But my parents always reassured me that I could do it," she said.

This experience also taught Shafa that opportunities should not be passed up just because they feel they haven't fully prepared. She believes that when time is limited, the most important thing is to get started and give your best effort.

Shafa also believes essays are a crucial part of scholarship applications. She believes prospective applicants should not only talk about themselves but also demonstrate the contributions they could make to society if given the opportunity.

"When writing your essay, don't just focus on yourself, but also on the impact you can have on society if you receive the scholarship," he said.

Want to Make an Impact Through Content

For Shafa, winning the 2026 Promag-Kalbe Wellness Scholar award wasn't just about the scholarship. The application process also provided her with new experiences, including learning how to build a more professional portfolio.

Previously, he admitted he had never created a portfolio. The selection process pushed him to learn how to present his experiences and skills in an engaging, concise, and relevant manner.

The opportunity to become a Wellness Scholar also aligns with Shafa's interest in content creation. She hopes to develop her passion as a content creator while also conveying wellness messages to a wider audience.

"I want to start producing content for Promag soon because it's my passion to be a content creator," he said.

Moving forward, Shafa is committed to making the most of her one-year opportunity in the program. She wants her success as a scholarship recipient to not only be limited to personal achievement but also to generate meaningful contributions for others.

"Thank you so much to Promag for creating the Wellness Scholar program. I'm so happy to have been accepted into this scholarship. I will do my best over the next year to make a real impact and be a proud awardee," Shafa concluded.