SDGs 4: Quality Education

Waking up in a room with a view of yellowing and reddening trees would have been my wildest dream until a year ago. Every new thing that I have experienced from last year’s September until December is the result of sleepless nights and staring at my laptop for four months. IISMA truly gave me the chance to taste my childhood wish, and I could never be more grateful than I am today. As this is one of my biggest milestones, I cherish every second that I spend in Dublin, Ireland, and make sure to engrave all passing moments in my mind–probably in my phone’s gallery as well. I am Konan, and here is a glimpse of my life as an IISMA awardee in University College Dublin.

A brief introduction is a must before I start. Born by the name Qonita Risqi Setya Ananda, I am currently a third year student in the English Department of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Not a very fun fact, I can’t drive, so no wonder I enjoy my time in Dublin too much because of the pedestrian-friendly public facilities. During my four-month stay in Dublin, I am taking four courses under Arts and Humanities. Along with nine other students from different home universities, I began my study abroad journey on September 2 as we flew from Indonesia to Ireland. Now, here is the real thing, I promise you.

The academic year in Ireland starts in autumn, which takes place in September. Just like what we commonly have in universities in Indonesia, here they provide two weeks of various orientation events, such as welcoming ceremony, freshers week where you can sign up for clubs and societies, info sessions for various purposes, for instance the immigration session held for non-EU international students, and many more. In the following week, the classes start for level two or intermediate courses, while beginner courses have to wait for another week. Classes are divided into two types, lecture and tutorial or seminar, which is a new thing for me as we don’t have them back in my home major. Lecture is a big class dedicated to delivering materials, while the tutorial only consists of 15-20 students solely for group discussion and in-depth review on the materials from the lecture. 

Being an international student in UCD certainly has its own perks, and one of them being the eligible participants of the Cultural Programme. The said programme is dedicated for us to enjoy the most of our stay here by holding events and offering trips for free. We have gone to some stunning places in Ireland, such as Kilkenny with its castle and mediaeval town, surfing in Sligo, cycling on a 32-kilometre track in Westport, and enjoying the majestic Dún Aonghasa in Inishmore, Galway. I am really grateful for the opportunities given by UCD for such a short stay, and here I say it, it is all worth it!

Even though living abroad gets you really excited, you are lying if you say you don’t miss those little things from home. Of course I miss seblak, nasi Padang, and the convenient online transportation. I’d love to give an honourable mention to my friends from PPI Irlandia who kindly hold various Indonesian-themed events for Indonesian students in Ireland, which feels like bringing us back home. We got the precious chance to have a warm gathering with other IISMA awardees in Ireland and master’s and doctoral students on October 21, and even met the Ambassador of Indonesia for the United Kingdom, Dr. Desra Percaya. Fun fact, he is a remarkable saxophone player, and we were lucky to be able to watch his performance of Terima Kasih Cinta by Afgan on that sunny afternoon.

That particular gathering event was very memorable for me. The previous president of PPI Irlandia, Zain, shared a bit how Ireland feels merrier when the IISMA awardees are there. The number of Indonesian students in Ireland is significantly lower than in the United Kingdom, our nearest neighbour, and events like these almost feel like a family reunion. Compared to the students, there are more Indonesian diaspora than what I had imagined. They are also the people who continue to help us during our stay, and I’d really love to reciprocate the gesture someday, fingers crossed, when I get the opportunity to travel to Ireland again.

Aside from the fellow Indonesians we met here, I have always dreamt about having friends from across the globe who will actually keep in touch, not as a one-time thing only. Solely for this reason, I would like to thank my international friends that have introduced me to new celebrations that definitely made me feel so at home. One of these celebrations is Friendsgiving, that is celebrating Thanksgiving but with your friends instead. Jette, the event planner, suggested that we all bring a dish from our respective country to enjoy together, and that way, we actually exchange new culture in a fun way. Since the feeling is mutual, I didn’t hesitate to give them heartfelt souvenirs from home–one of them being a tote bag I designed myself–as a memento for the moment I have shared with them.

Ireland has been a place for me to try out many things for the first time for the last four months. My dream of walking along meadows, looking at sheep and cows like what I read in my childhood stories, strolling down the city, and taking a breather at city parks–all of them have been achieved here. Last but not least, the network and memories I have made here are priceless and could never be traded with anything in this world. Shall I have the chance to visit for a longer period of time here, I won’t hesitate to fly right away. Thank you to my support system back home–my family and friends–and my new family here, you are a part of my life now. Of course to the IISMA program, my deepest gratitude would never cease.

SGDs 4: Quality Education| SGDs 5: Gender Equality | SGDs 10: Reduced Inequalities

Two representatives of English Department UGM: Alvanita, M. Ed. and Paris Mercurio visited MA Al Ikhlas Berbah on Saturday, 11 March 2024. This event is a part of community services conducted by English Department UGM. Headmistress of MA Al Ikhlas Berbah, Ika Bude Lestari, S.Pd., gave a warm welcoming speech in the beginning of the event. Afterwards, the presentation and Q&A sessions began.

In the presentation session, Alvanita, M.Ed. motivated the students to learn English. She highlighted how important it is to be proficient in English, especially if one wants to pursue higher education or professional careers. She also gave the students tips on learning English outside the class. The second presenter, Paris Mercurio told the students about her experiences living in the United States. She gave the students tips to overcome their nervousness when using English in conversations. The students, who were shy to respond at the presentation session, gradually became more engaged throughout the Q&A session. 

Students and teachers of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah responded positively towards the event, sharing their opinions that other programs to increase students’ interest in learning English should be conducted again in the future. The urgency of conducting those programs is due to low frequency of English learning in rural areas like Berbah, which is affected by the existing presumption of the lack of urgency to be proficient in English.

Alvanita, M.Ed. discussed the continuation of this program with the English teacher of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah (Ervina Juli Aryani) after the event. One of the proposed activities is increasing English literacy through reading literature works. Every week, the students will read English short stories and write their reviews. Afterwards, an offline discussion monitored by Alvanita, M.Ed. and Ms. Ervina will be conducted every one or two months in order to track the students’ progress in learning English.

SGDs 4: Quality Education | SGDs 17: Partnerships For The Goals

On Thursday, 29th of February 2024, English Department UGM accepted a visit from the representative of Oberlin Shansi, Mr. Gavin Tritt, to discuss new collaboration programs between two universities that have undergone seventy-years of partnership. One of the programs discussed is Oberlin Shansi’s Visiting Scholar Program, once participated in by Mr. Adi Sutrisno, the Head of the English Department. The Oberlin Shansi’s Visiting Scholar Program is a fully funded program by Oberlin Shansi which allows the English Department lecturers to improve their scholarly growth. 

During the stay at Oberlin, the lecturers will do various activities: auditing courses to observe undergraduate teaching, learning new research methodologies, developing their academic writing, utilizing college resources and faculty mentorship to develop research projects and proposals, and many more. Upon their return from this program, the participating lecturers are expected to share their experiences during their stay at Oberlin, mentor other faculty members who are searching for international opportunities, and continue the collaboration with Oberlin Shansi. The program typically lasts for a semester, but Oberlin Shansi welcomes lecturers who proposed shorter visits as well. 

This program will provide opportunities for English Department lecturers to gain new insight and experiences for their professional development. Along with other forms of collaboration, Oberlin Shansi’s Visiting Scholar Program will help to strengthen the partnership between the English Department and Oberlin Shansi.

SDGs 4: Quality Education

The month of Ramadan is not only a time for spiritual introspection but also for strengthening community bonds. In Jogokariyan, a bustling community in Yogyakarta, a 2020 English Literature student named Putri has been actively involved in enlivening Ramadan activities that bring joy and spiritual fulfillment to herself and the surrounding community.

Putri, who lives just a few steps away from Masjid Jogokariyan, has been an integral part of various mosque activities since her childhood. Initially joining as a member of the children’s group, she gradually transitioned into a teenage committee member. Even during her university years, she took on responsibilities in organizing and participating in special Ramadan events.

One of Putri’s significant roles during Ramadan is her involvement in the organization of “Kampoeng Ramadhan Jogokariyan” (KRJ), a community initiative aimed at enhancing the Ramadan experience for local residents and the wider community. This year, Putri served as a committee member for the KRJ 2024 “Itikaf” event. Itikaf involves worshiping in the mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan. Alongside a friend, Putri managed the registration process, answered participant questions, collected participant data, and supervised the registration process on the event day. Additionally, they served the congregation during the last 10 days of Ramadan by being on standby at the location while also participating in worship.

Her three-year tenure as an Itikaf committee member has provided valuable experiences for Putri, especially in matters of faith and spirituality. Through this, she had the opportunity to interact with diverse participants, including elderly individuals. For Putri, this was particularly fascinating as she witnessed their high spirits in worship, regardless of their age. This served as a reminder for Putri that worship knows no age. In fact, during the holy month of Ramadan, they compete in performing good deeds.

Despite being relatively younger compared to other committee members, Putri and her friends have demonstrated remarkable dedication and organizational skills. Their efforts have received positive feedback from participants, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and coordination in executing community agendas. Furthermore, the involvement of her younger sibling and cousin served as great motivation for Putri.

In addition to her involvement in KRJ, Putri and her friends volunteer as “Plate Volunteers” every afternoon before iftar. Their task is to distribute snacks and drinks to the congregation before breaking their fast. This experience has also been very enjoyable for Putri. Because every afternoon, Masjid Jogokariyan provides more than 3500 portions of iftar for anyone who comes. Interestingly, Ramadan 2024 was the most festive Ramadan due to the numerous activities at the mosque. Moreover, these activities have gained a lot of attention from the wider community thanks to social media influencers who shared Ramadan vibes in Jogokariyan on TikTok and Instagram.

Putri’s dedication to community service during Ramadan reflects the spirit of peace, unity, and devotion that characterizes this holy month. Through her involvement in various events, she not only enriches the Ramadan experience for her community but also embodies high values of empathy and solidarity. Putri’s experiences, journey, and commitment to serving the community are expected to inspire her peers and other community members.

Photo 1: A documentation of Putri when she was becoming the “Plate Volunteers”

SDGs 4: Quality Education

Devi Ayu Lisdiana, commonly known as Devi, is a student from the English Department who excels in the sports of Pencak Silat and Kickboxing. During the Rapat Senat held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, she was awarded as one of the outstanding students (mapres) in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

It all started when she saw a post about the faculty’s anniversary on FIB’s Instagram account. She then consulted with several lecturers in the English Deparment. This resulted in the decision that the Head of the English Department, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A., proposed Devi to be one of the outstanding students.

Here are the various achievements accomplished by Devi:

1. Runner-up at the AUB CUP 2021 Open Pencak Silat Tournament
2. Runner-up at the PORDA XVI DIY 2022 Pencak Silat
3. 1st place in the Women’s Low Kick Exhibition Kickboxing Category at PORDA XVI DIY 2022
4. 1st place in Class D Women’s Pencak Silat at the DIY Regional Championship 2023
5. Runner-up in Class D Women’s at the 2022 National Invitational Inter-College Championship UNY
6. 1st place in Class E Women’s Pencak Silat Tournament Grobogan 1 Open 2023
7. Runner-up in the Women’s Low Kick category at the 2023 Rambo Kickboxing
8. 1st place in the UPY CUP IV 2023 National Pencak Silat Championship
9. Runner-up in the Pre-PON Kickboxing 2023

This serves as evidence that non-academic achievements are just as important as academic ones. Devi is proof that balancing academic and non-academic achievements is crucial. She undoubtedly went through various long processes before successfully achieving these championships. She often faced failures, which she used as fuel to rise again and continue her journey.

May Devi’s journey and her myriad of achievements serve as motivation for students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, to always rise again even after thousand failures because failure is not the end of everything.

Congratulations to Devi Ayu Lisdiana!