- Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your home university and study program?
- Hi! My name is Adela, and I am an exchange student here in UGM. I am originally from the Czech Republic, but I am currently studying undergraduate programme at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This is the third and final year of the Biomedical Sciences bachelor that I am following.
- What motivated you to choose Indonesia—and specifically UGM—for your exchange program?
- We were very lucky and had a lot of universities to choose from to go on exchange to, however UGM was the only Indonesian university offered to us. I was originally not planning on applying here however after talking with my friends and family who all recommended me to try applying here, I got convinced pretty quickly and put UGM as my first choice. I mostly chose it for the novelty of an experience and to try living in a completely different culture on the other side of the world. A role also played good reputation of UGM and everything that Indonesia has to offer, from amazing people to nature and lower expenses.
- How would you describe your academic experience at the Faculty of Biology, UGM?
- I would say overall very positive, however there were a few things I needed to get used to (for example mandatory attendance on lectures is not a standard thing at my home university). The semester also started a little bit rocky as scheduling all subjects and creating our schedules was very chaotic and confusing. The faculty did their best to accommodate to our wants and needs, however that almost made it more complicated as there was no set schedule from which we could just pick our courses and be done with it. I was also sometimes confused as classes would often get rescheduled or cancelled at the very last minute which is also not a standard practice at my home university so it took some getting used to.
- Which courses, labs, or field activities did you enjoy the most, and why?
- I think I most enjoyed the classes where we were able to debate with others and share our points of view. I learned the most about Indonesian economical, political and ecological background through that and am very grateful for classes like Environmental pollution and toxicology and the students and teachers in that class!
- Was there anything unique about the teaching or learning style here compared to your home university?
- I definitely did notice a lot of differences. I think the biggest one is the personal approach and relationships that the students form with their teachers. At my home university we mostly have big lectures, where usually more than hundred people attend. The classes I followed here were significantly smaller, sometimes only as much as six students in the whole class. This allowed us to form closer relationships in the classroom, debate about topics and listen to perspectives of people from different cultures. Generally, I would say the focus of education here is not much on memorising material but more debating and gaining knowledge by interactions with others.
- Also communicating with the lecturers through WhatsApp was very strange at first as to me it is a very informal platform, but it allows to break down some barriers between the students and teachers and makes communication more natural and comfortable. I was happy when I could just effortlessly approach my lecturers with a question or an interesting topic I came across through messages which then sparked future conversations.
- What was your first impression of Yogyakarta and UGM?
- The very first days I was in Jogja I was very scared and confused by a lot of things, but I got used to the differences pretty quickly and I must say that this city grew on me like no other. It is not a typical city that tourists would visit for its beauty but living here was one of the best experiences of my life. UGM itself at first impressed me by the size of the campus which stretches along multiple streets. However, later I rarely ventured out of the Faculty of Biology part of the campus as there was no real reason to do so.
- What local cultural experiences (traditions, food, festivals, communities) left a strong impression on you?
- I think the ability of Indonesians to just sit back and enjoy life without rushing off anywhere is amazing and something I am still trying to embrace. Food here is, of course, amazing and I love how much of the food culture and traditions is in alignment with nature.
- Was there any “only in Indonesia” or “only in Yogyakarta” moment that you will always remember?
- I think that that would be that one time when my scooter broke down in the middle of the street and before I could even notice what happened, there were suddenly at least three people helping me out. They quickly helped me fix the scooter and only smiled when I was thanking them. I think this kindness and helping others without expecting anything in return is what makes Indonesia so special, and more people and cultures could learn a thing or two.
- Can you share a fond memory from outside the classroom—traveling, social events, or cultural activities?
- I was lucky enough to be able to travel quite a lot around other parts of Indonesia during my stay here and must say that every single corner of this country is beautiful. Each island has their own culture and specifications to offer and the diversity (of nature, religion, cultures, you name it) just never stops amazing me.
- What advice would you give to future international students who want to join the exchange program at UGM?
- Take things slow, focus on the positives and embrace the slow life culture that Indonesia offers. Not everything is 100% efficient here, however that doesn’t mean it is worse. Learn as much Bahasa Indonesia as you can and don’t be afraid to interact with the local people. Indonesians are the nicest and friendliest people that I have ever seen and will try their hardest to connect with you despite the gaping language barrier. And always try to be respectful as we are only guests in this beautiful country, and this is a huge opportunity to see the actual life and day-to-day issues that people here are facing.
- If you could describe your UGM experience in three words, what would they be and why?
- Chaotic, transforming, unforgettable
