Studying abroad is a dream for many students including one from English Studies Program UGM, Benedicta Angie. Since childhood, she had been curious about how people live their lives abroad. As a result, she had been actively searching for an opportunity to study abroad. Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), a program that is funded by the government that gives both vocational and undergraduate students a chance to study abroad in great universities across the world for one semester, was the perfect opportunity for Angie to make her dream come true. After a long selection process, Angie was successfully enrolled in IISMA fully funded program at Korea University, Republic of Korea (South Korea). 

During her stay in Korea University, Angie was enrolled in four courses: Media and Popular Culture in Korea, Criminology, Beginner’s Korean II, and Introduction to Applied Linguistics. One of the most interesting things she spotted while studying in Korea was the Korean students’ competitiveness. Angie realised this difference when she compared her learning experience in Criminology class, which is dominated by Korean students, with other classes that are mostly taken by international students. 

“In class, the local students were not very active in asking and answering questions, they are rather very quiet. But after going through the midterm exam, you can feel how serious they had been studying,” she stated, “Our professor curved our final grades, and must I be honest with you, it was very hard to keep up with them. The contrast is very visible to me, because in other courses, where most students are international students, the class dynamics and competitiveness are not different from the one that I have here in UGM.”

Overall, Angie enjoyed her academic journey in Korea. The classes were fun albeit challenging, and the professors were very helpful. She was a little bit disappointed because she was unable to join any clubs due to her short visiting period. However, she was still able to socialise and made friends through project groups and the buddy association gatherings. 

Besides in-class activity, Angie did many activities to immerse herself in South Korean culture. She visited many palaces, museums, art galleries, and festivals. Most of those places were free of charge, especially on Chuseok (Korean thanksgiving). The people were also very welcoming. Despite the language barrier, they tried their best to understand the foreign students.

From the exchange, aside from academics and multicultural insights, Angie learned to be patient to herself. This is a valuable insight that she would not have gained if she had not studied abroad in Korea. She stated, “Being in my comfort zone in Indonesia has made me forget that everyday is my first day of living. Sometimes I forget that as a human, I will make mistakes, there will be discomfort, and that life is not perfect. I learned so much that if I want to move forward, I must be patient with myself and enjoy the process.” 

After finishing the exchange program, Angie planned to finish her studies in time and enroll herself for a master’s degree abroad. In the meantime, she was eager to help friends who hope to go abroad by giving them advice that can help them with the preparation process. Aside from that, she also planned to use the knowledge she gained from the exchange program, especially Korean language, to fulfil her dream as a translator.

[Bachelor of English Literature, Sekar Ajiningsih]

One of the English Studies Program students, Azizah Putri Chandra Kusuma, spent a whole semester at Siena, Italy as an IISMA awardee. IISMA is a study abroad exchange program held by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), which offers students to study in highly reputable universities from all around the world for one semester.

Azizah was eager to participate in this program because going abroad has been her dream since she was young. Due to financial reasons, she never had been able to take it into action. Upon discovering IISMA, Azizah thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to accomplish her dreams due to the great range of expenses the program offers. After going through a rigorous selection process, Azizah was finally declared as one of the awardees.

Azizah was very enthusiastic about the opportunity of studying abroad in Italy. She said, “Studying in Siena, Italy, as an IISMA awardee has been nothing short of transformative. Being in Italy means that the experience will be beyond just attending classes. It’s about immersing myself in a completely different academic environment and embracing the beauty of Italian cultures.”

During her academic journey in Italy, Azizah had an opportunity to collaborate with many other international students. This opportunity broadened her perspective and improved her communication skills. Besides the opportunity to study with many students from all over the world, Azizah also found the education system in Italy particularly interesting. In Italy, students have to take an oral exam in addition to the typical written exam. The oral exam is a one-on-one session with the professors discussing what students have learned during the class.

Beyond academics, Azizah also spent her time immersed with Italian culture. Siena was full of charming medieval streets and architecture rich in history. Azizah was particularly fond of Piazza del Campo. She used to sit in its front yard to have discussions with friends while enjoying local cuisines, such as pizza or gelato. Azizah noted that Siena differs in atmosphere from other big cities in Italy—it offers warmer and more intimate ambiance. The locals were friendly and welcoming towards Azizah, despite her struggles at communicating with the Italian language.

For Azizah, IISMA was a life-changing experience that had taught her valuable lessons inside and outside of the classroom. “Studying in Siena with classes that are mostly beyond my study field in English Literature has given me numerous insights that taught me to analyze topics from multiple perspectives and engage in discussion with confidence,” Azizah stated, “I also learned to appreciate cultural differences and embrace diverse environments, which also taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity or understanding that what is normal in one culture may be different in another.”

Azizah also noted that the exchange experience had increased her independence and resourcefulness. She also realised that her stay in Italy has also helped her improve her proficiency in Italian. Azizah was grateful to be participating in IISMA, which had become a journey of self-discovery as a learner with a mission to be an ambassador of Indonesian culture.

After completing IISMA, Azizah planned to apply what she had learned during her exchange program in her academic and professional journey. For short-term planning, Azizah was excited to help fellow students who also want to study abroad but unable to afford preparation courses by being an IELTS mentor without charging a fee. For long-term planning, Azizah hoped to enrol in a master degree program abroad in order to further broaden her horizons. She mentioned, “Ultimately, this exchange has given me the motivation to pursue bigger goals, and I am excited to know where this experience will lead me next.”

[S1 Sastra Inggris, Sekar Ajiningsih]

Yogyakarta, 21/1/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an important event marking the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Chung Ang University. The ceremony took place at Margono Building, gathering representatives from both institutions to strengthen collaboration in education and cultural exchange.

The event began with the screening of a profile video featuring Chung Ang University, followed by videos of Gadjah Mada University and the Faculty of Humanities. The videos highlighted the strengths and unique offerings of each institution, emphasising their commitment to providing equal access to education and promoting community engagement. Following the video presentations, short presentations were delivered by representatives from both universities. Chung Ang University, known for its focus on artificial intelligence development, expressed its enthusiasm to collaborate with FIB UGM, which specialises in cultural studies and community service. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between technology and culture, encouraging a holistic educational experience for students.

The MoA signing was officiated by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si, Dean of the Faculty. He was accompanied by Dr Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and Dr Mimi Savitri, M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni. Their presence emphasised the importance of this collaboration in enhancing academic mobility and cultural exchange between the two institutions. Representatives from Chung Ang University consisted of three key figures, along with Suray Agung Nugroho, SS, MA, Ph.D., lecturer in Korean language and culture and Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources.

This cooperation is expected to encourage student mobility between FIB UGM and Chung Ang University, allowing students to experience diverse educational environments and cultural perspectives. By facilitating exchanges, both institutions aim to promote equal access to education and enhance the overall learning experience for their students.

This partnership is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of access to education and community engagement. By working together, FIB UGM and Chung Ang University are taking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape. This MoA signifies a commitment not only to academic excellence but also to the development of cultural understanding and community service. Both universities are excited to explore new opportunities for joint research, student exchanges, and community projects.

Ultimately, the signing of the MoA between FIB UGM and Chung Ang University marks an important moment in strengthening international co-operation in education. The partnership is poised to create lasting impact for students, faculty, and the wider community, reinforcing the importance of equal access to education and cultural exchange in today’s increasingly connected world.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the Archaeology Student Association (HIMA UGM), Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, through the Community Service Division held the Archaeology Goes To School #1 work program, which is an introduction to archaeology by providing material exposure and games related to archaeology to students of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region Province. This activity also collaborates with Mandira Brick, as a maker of disassembly game products in the form of miniature temples as educational games for the general public, including students. The activity took place from 10:00 WIB – 12:00 WIB and was two-way interactive interspersed with question and answer sessions and game sessions that divided students in a class into six groups to develop a miniature temple disassembly game.

The activity began with an opening session in a classroom of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik with a warm welcome by HIMA UGM students to students. This was followed by a general introduction session about UGM Archaeology and information about the HIMA UGM organization. As for the session after the general introduction, it continued with the presentation of material about Classical Archaeology with the aim of introducing students to restoration and conservation in the treatment of cultural heritage.

“Since our audience is junior high school students, we provide quite basic material about restoration, conservation, the restoration process and how to care for cultural heritage buildings, especially temple buildings. So we provide materials, such as: “The definition of restoration and conservation followed by the process of restoration activities in stages, ending with how to care for the restored temple so that it remains sustainable,” said Arya Sena Prasetio, Chief Executive of Archaeology Goes To School # 1 from the Community Service Division of HIMA UGM, explaining the reason for the presentation of material on Classical Archaeology.

After the material presentation session and interactive question and answer session ended, the students were divided into six groups of five people each to play with the miniature Sukuh Temple and Ratu Boko Temple presented by the Mandira Brick team. Six sets of Mandira disassembly toys were assembled by each group, guided by HIMA UGM students in the process. The toys were then given to the school of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik as a continuation of temple restoration and conservation lessons as a means of further learning. The event then ended with a photo documentation session with the students and closing by HIMA UGM students and the Mandira Brick team accompanied by a symbolic plaque and Mandira toys.

“Hopefully with the implementation of Archaeology Goes To School, it can introduce archaeology to school children and provide broader insights into the importance of cultural heritage, as well as motivate students to study more diligently with the existence of new learning media through Mandira Brick,” said Sena about his expectations from the activity

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a gathering event held by the UGM Buddy Club Community under the auspices of the UGM Office of International Affairs successfully succeeded the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024 held in the Hallway of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) Building, Vocational School UGM. This gathering is a big event that is held every year by inviting all international students, including exchange students from foreign countries, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and students of the UGM Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), to join together. The international students were accompanied by local UGM students who participated in an agenda of activities such as cultural exchange sessions, lecture experiences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, and tasting traditional food from the origin of the international students.

As the faculty with the largest number of international students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM through its international students who are members of the Indonesian language and culture introduction program, INCULS UGM, attended and enlivened the agenda of the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024. The agenda began with the Oebah Literature Dance that welcomed all invited guests, followed by remarks from Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., as Director of the UGM Directorate of Global Partnerships and Relationships, followed by remarks from the President of the UGM Buddy Club Community, Natasya Samuela Serefina. Both speeches gave a message of gratitude for the presence of all agenda guests in this activity as well as a moment to interact, get to know each other, and learn across different cultures.

The international and local students then enjoyed collaborative performances from local and international students, a fashion show, and a cultural exchange and batik making session that was open to all guests. Towards the closing of the event agenda, local cultural dances from the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) enlivened the closing of the event which ended with a flower giving session to commemorate Bring Flowers to Someone Day given to international and local students and invited guests by the committee. The event agenda was then closed with parting words to look forward to next year’s International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers.