At IHS, we believe in the power of education and its impact on building more sustainable, inclusive cities. Through various scholarship programmes, dedicated students from around the world have had the opportunity to pursue their passion for urban development at IHS. In this series, we highlight the journeys of the scholarship awardees, and in this interview, we introduce you to Rizkika Zulhijjiani from Indonesia.
Rizkika Zulhijjiani, who graduated from Urban and Regional Planning at the Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia, is one of the awardees of the "Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP)". She worked as a planning assistant for about two years and has had the ambition to improve her design skills ever since. She also joined one of Indonesia's most known urban design consultants as an urban designer.
From virtual game maps to real-world urbanism
"Since I was a kid, I've always been drawn to simulation games like Harvest Moon and The Sims. While these games have missions, I often found myself captivated by their world design. I loved exploring their maps, discovering the placement of their homes, observing how they gather in parks, and how the changing of seasons shape their behaviour", describes Rizkika.
The idea of an ecosystem for human interactions motivated her to pursue a degree in urban development. The complexities and missions to be accomplished in the games she used to play turned into real challenges of the world to be tackled and solved.
Coming to the Netherlands
The innovative mindset of the Netherlands regarding its development and its ongoing fight against the consequences of climate change have motivated Rizkika to pursue her academic path in the Netherlands. She is determined to leverage the inspiring influence of the people around her to enhance her urban design skills and creativity.
IHS caught Rizkika's attention through active collaborations and an alumnus she knew from Indonesia. The master’s programme, especially the Urban Housing and Land Justice track, which aligns with her interests and ambitions, captivated her greatly." Given my keen interest in the housing provision project and the fundamental need for secure living and housing for every individual, this is the ideal choice for me", says Rizkika.
A global classroom
When Rizkika started her educational path in Rotterdam, she expected to meet many Dutch students at IHS. However, the classroom was full of diversity and dynamics, with 50 students from 18 countries. The cultural differences enriched the ideas and insights and made the interactions lively and energetic. Learning from others and their countries of origin opened Rizkika's horizons regarding urban issues worldwide. Additionally, she highlighted some of the activities performed during class, such as courtroom activities, roleplay games, and debates. These interactive experiences are, on the one hand, highly engaging and, on the other hand, enhance each student's critical thinking skills. This way of learning makes acquiring new knowledge enjoyable and helps students understand how theories are applied in a real-world perspective.
Looking at the future
Rizkika is motivated to make a change in her country, whether in a classroom or by doing voluntary work. She feels a sense of responsibility to contribute to her country's urban development by keeping up with trends, broadening her knowledge, and exposing the people around her to urban issues. As an LPDP awardee, she advises others to maximise this privilege and take the chance to study abroad. Exposure to new perspectives and ideas can expand your views and benefit you in making a change as a future urban expert.
"Be open to new things around you, remove the word fear from your vocabulary, and develop yourself as much as possible."
Rizkika Zulhijjiani
