Dyadha Oriach is a biology undergraduate program student at Radboud University and Rutger Lemstra from the Geography Program of the University of Groningen of the Netherlands who has the opportunity to take part in a student exchange program for one semester at the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University. Oddly in the 2022/2023 semester, both of them tasted learning at the UGM Faculty of Biology in full. Dyadha took courses in Carcinology (the study of crustaceans), marine biology, phycology (the study of algae), malacology (the study of molluscs), limnology (the study of lakes), and biomaterials. Unlike Dyadha, who join as a bachelor’s degree in biology in her home university, Rutger is a student of the geography study program, taking courses in plant anatomy, plant systematics, and cell and molecular biology.
“Coming to Indonesia has been an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet so many wonderful people and to see the world from a different perspective. I explored wonderful places, tried delicious food, learned a bit about the traditional dance, the language, its rich biodiversity and culture in general and even about myself. I’m thankful and happy for this incredible opportunity at UGM”, said Dyadha.
Rutger said “Studying in biology is something new, and very worth doing. Apart from studying, I also studied culture and visited Gunung Leuser National Park, Lake Toba, Bali and East Timor”.
“Hopefully in the future the collaborative program of the Faculty of Biology UGM with Radboud University and Rutger Lemstra from the University of Groningen of the Netherlands can be sustainable,” said Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. in a meeting with Rutger and Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D., on the sidelines of his preparation to return to the Netherlands (SHP).