Ahmed Baroudi, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student and recipient of the prestigious New Colombo Scholarship, reflects on the life-changing benefits of studying abroad. He shares his personal journey, illustrating how taking a chance on studying overseas transformed his life.
In his first year of university, Baroudi remembers dismissing the idea of studying abroad. “I picked up a study abroad pamphlet, only to toss it in the bin moments later—convinced that studying overseas was out of my reach.” Yet, four years later, after spending 14 months studying in Germany and Indonesia, Baroudi finds himself not only having lived that dream but now encouraging others to take the same leap.
His journey began unexpectedly. “I saw a message in a group chat: ‘Yo, I’m applying for exchange in Berlin—who’s in?’ Nine months later, I was sitting in a European law class at the Berlin School of Economics and Law alongside my friend Luca.”
Initially, Baroudi’s motivations were simple: personal growth and a competitive edge in the crowded field of law. However, his study abroad experience offered much more than he anticipated. “Exchange isn’t just about academics; it’s about how the unfamiliar forces you to adapt, challenge yourself, and ultimately grow into a more capable version of yourself,” he explains.
Baroudi’s study abroad experience also opened up opportunities he hadn’t envisioned. Through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship, he engaged in a variety of regional initiatives, such as participating in an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) competition on misinformation and attending a CAUSINDY event at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Currently, he is preparing for an International Model United Nations competition in Yogyakarta.
One of the most formative aspects of Baroudi’s time abroad was being the sole exchange student in the law faculty at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). Despite his initial language barrier, Baroudi formed meaningful connections with his professors and faculty heads. “What I lacked in Bahasa, I made up for in connections,” he recalls. “UII has a formal academic environment—every class begins and ends with a prayer, and there are strict guidelines on clothing and appearance. Yet, outside the classroom, the professors are incredibly laid-back. I’ve gone on road trips with them, shared late-night coffee chats about everything from legal theory to the tax benefits of me marrying an Indonesian.”
This blend of academic structure and relaxed social interactions created a unique and enriching experience for Baroudi.
Ultimately, it’s the friendships Baroudi forged that stand out as some of the most valuable aspects of his exchange experience. “I’ve built some of the deepest friendships in an incredibly short time—connections that span the globe with people I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise.”
Reflecting on how far he has come, Baroudi admits it’s hard to imagine what his life would be like had he stuck to his original assumption that studying abroad wasn’t for him. “Don’t be the person who wonders ‘what if?’ Take the pamphlet, take the risk, and take the adventure.”
Baroudi’s message is clear: studying abroad isn’t just an academic opportunity—it’s a transformative life experience that opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and lasting connections.
