For Hilde Aris, a Clinical Sciences student from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Indonesia was more than just an exchange destination—it was a journey of curiosity. Drawn by the country’s diverse culture and nature, she chose UGM and Yogyakarta, a city renowned for its vibrant student life.

A Hands-on Academic Shift

Back in the Netherlands, Hilde’s studies were deeply rooted in human biology. At the UGM Faculty of Biology, her perspective shifted toward nature and biodiversity. She found the “field-based learning” approach particularly refreshing, involving lessons outside the classroom and practical sessions on real-world issues.

Her favorite course, Environmental Pollution and Toxicology, allowed her to compare environmental challenges between the Netherlands and Indonesia. Beyond the curriculum, she appreciated the small, personal class sizes: “It encouraged active participation. I really liked this and enjoyed the classes more because of it.”

Connection Beyond the Classroom

Hilde’s experience was defined by the warmth of the people she met. One of her most cherished memories happened early on when she went to play badminton. She was invited to play by a local couple, Ana and Vino, and they ended up playing together almost every week followed by dinner. “They felt like parental figures to me during my time in Yogyakarta,” Hilde shares.

Another “only in Indonesia” moment that left a lasting impression was the Lustrum Bingo at the faculty, which turned into a massive karaoke session with both students and teachers singing “Aku Cinta Jogja.” Whether it was playing for the UGM hockey team at Pancasila Stadium or joining a neighborhood celebration for Independence Day, Hilde felt an inclusive atmosphere everywhere she went.

Advice for Future Students: “DO DO DO IT”

Hilde’s advice for those considering UGM is simple: put Indonesia at the top of your list. While exchange friends are great, she emphasizes the importance of connecting with locals.

“Really invest time in meeting local people: Indonesian classmates or even people you meet on the street. Everyone is incredibly friendly and wants to share their stories.”

Hilde describes her six months at UGM as “Cinta, Beautiful, and Special.” It wasn’t just an academic semester; it was, as she calls it, the best six months of her life.

Bahasa Indonesia:
Cinta, Beautiful, Special: Perjalanan Hangat Hilde Aris di Biologi UGM

Bagi Hilde Aris, mahasiswa Clinical Sciences dari Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Indonesia bukan sekadar destinasi pertukaran pelajar—ia adalah jawaban atas rasa ingin tahunya. Tertarik dengan keragaman budaya dan alamnya, ia memilih UGM dan Yogyakarta, kota yang dikenal sebagai pusat kehidupan mahasiswa di Indonesia.

Pergeseran Akademik yang Praktis

Di Belanda, studi Hilde sangat berfokus pada biologi manusia. Di Fakultas Biologi UGM, perspektifnya meluas ke arah alam dan keanekaragaman hayati. Ia merasa pendekatan “pembelajaran berbasis lapangan” sangat menyegarkan, melibatkan sesi di luar kelas dan praktikum mengenai isu-isu dunia nyata.

Mata kuliah favoritnya, Pencemaran Lingkungan dan Toksikologi, memungkinkannya membandingkan tantangan lingkungan antara Belanda dan Indonesia. Di luar kurikulum, ia sangat menghargai ukuran kelas yang kecil dan personal: “Hal ini mendorong partisipasi aktif. Saya sangat menyukainya dan menjadi lebih menikmati kelas karena itu.”

Koneksi di Luar Ruang Kelas

Pengalaman Hilde diwarnai oleh kehangatan orang-orang yang ia temui. Salah satu kenangan yang paling ia syukuri terjadi saat ia pergi bermain bulu tangkis. Ia diajak bermain oleh pasangan lokal, Ana dan Vino, yang kemudian menjadi rutin bermain setiap minggu dan makan malam bersama. “Mereka sudah seperti sosok orang tua bagi saya selama di Yogyakarta,” kenang Hilde.

Momen “hanya ada di Indonesia” lainnya yang berkesan adalah acara Bingo Lustrum di fakultas, yang berakhir dengan sesi karaoke bersama antara dosen dan mahasiswa menyanyikan lagu “Aku Cinta Jogja.” Baik saat membela tim hoki UGM di Stadion Pancasila atau ikut merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan di lingkungan rumahnya, Hilde merasakan suasana inklusif di mana pun ia berada.

Pesan untuk Mahasiswa Mendatang: “DO DO DO IT”

Saran Hilde bagi mereka yang mempertimbangkan UGM sangat sederhana: tempatkan Indonesia di urutan teratas daftar Anda. Meski teman-teman sesama mahasiswa pertukaran sangat menyenangkan, ia menekankan pentingnya menjalin hubungan dengan warga lokal.

“Investasikan waktu untuk bertemu orang lokal: teman sekelas orang Indonesia atau bahkan orang yang Anda temui di jalan. Semua orang sangat ramah dan ingin berbagi cerita mereka.”

Hilde menggambarkan enam bulannya di UGM dengan tiga kata: “Cinta, Beautiful, dan Special.” Baginya, ini bukan sekadar semester akademik, melainkan enam bulan terbaik dalam hidupnya.

For Zuzanna, a third-year Biomedical Sciences student from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, there was no better classroom than the Indonesian archipelago. Driven by a deep love for nature, she chose UGM not only for its prestige as Indonesia’s top university but also for its rich research environment and the country’s status as a global biodiversity hotspot.

Hands-On Learning in Nature’s Backyard

Zuzanna’s academic experience at the Faculty of Biology was defined by inspiration and direct interaction. She was particularly impressed by the professors’ knowledge and their ability to inspire students through their research. Unlike the large-scale lectures in the Netherlands, she found the smaller classes at UGM allowed for a much more individual and personal approach.

Her favorite memories, however, were made outside the classroom during field trips.

“I loved the Marine Ecology field trips to the mangrove forest and the beach. It provided us with hands-on experience in ecological research and we could see directly Indonesian biodiversity hotspots so close to Jogja!”

These trips weren’t just about data; they helped her understand the urgent need for conservation and the practical ways to preserve the environment.

Discovering the “Only in Indonesia” Magic

Though her first impression of Yogyakarta was “chaotic”—especially while learning to navigate the crazy traffic on a scooter—she quickly found beauty in the local culture. She grew to love the vibrant atmosphere of the campus canteen, the beautiful batik worn by her professors, and the kindness of strangers who were always ready to help.

One of her most cherished cultural memories happened in Kalimantan. While searching for dinner, she and her friends were invited to a traditional wedding pre-celebration. They witnessed the couple being bathed in water with flower petals as a blessing from their family—a rare and intimate glimpse into local traditions. For Zuzanna, seeing endemic species like orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and sun bears in the wild was a dream come true that she describes as “quite literally—only in Indonesia!”

A Heartfelt Advice: “Just Do It!”

Zuzanna will deeply miss her daily life in Yogyakarta: the 7 AM bike rides to class with Mount Merapi looming in the distance, the taste of fantastic gado-gado for lunch, and the bustle of local markets.

Her advice to future international students is simple and bold: “Just do it! It will be the most incredible adventure of your life.”

Zuzanna describes her UGM journey through three words: Passion, Relax, and Enjoyment. It was a semester that fueled her scientific curiosity while allowing her to enjoy the beautiful pace of Indonesian life.

The Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) recently hosted Adéla Straková, an undergraduate student in Biomedical Sciences from Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Adéla chose UGM as her first choice for an exchange, driven by the desire for a completely different cultural experience on the other side of the world, coupled with UGM’s good reputation and the promise of Indonesia’s amazing nature and people.

Navigating a New Academic Structure

Adéla described her overall academic experience at the Faculty of Biology as “very positive,” though she noted that some differences required adjustment. She cited the mandatory attendance in lectures and the initial challenges in scheduling subjects as practices new to her, accustomed to the standards of her home university.

She also mentioned that classes were often rescheduled or cancelled at the last minute, making the semester feel “a little bit rocky” at first. However, she emphasized that the faculty did their best to accommodate the exchange students’ needs.

Despite these adjustments, Adéla found significant value in her coursework, particularly enjoying classes that allowed for debate and sharing perspectives.

“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!”

A Personal Approach to Learning

Adéla noticed distinct differences in the teaching style. The biggest difference was the personal approach and the close relationships formed with lecturers, contrasting sharply with the large lectures (often over a hundred students) at her home university. The significantly smaller class sizes at UGM allowed for closer relationships, debates, and listening to diverse cultural perspectives.

She noted: “Generally, I would say the focus of education here is not much on memorizing material but more debating and gaining knowledge by interactions with others.”

Another unique aspect was communicating with lecturers via WhatsApp, which, though initially strange, helped “break down some barriers” and made communication more natural and comfortable, sparking future conversations.

Embracing the “Slow Life” of Yogyakarta

Adéla’s first impression of Yogyakarta was a mix of confusion and fear, but the city quickly “grew on me like no other.” She discovered that while it might not be a typical tourist destination, living there was “one of the best experiences of my life.” Her initial impression of UGM was the sheer size of the campus, though she rarely ventured outside the Faculty of Biology area.

What left a strong cultural impression was the Indonesian ability “to just sit back and enjoy life without rushing off anywhere”—a slower pace she is still trying to embrace. She also loved the food and how much of the food culture aligns with nature.

A Powerful Lesson in Kindness

When asked about an “only in Indonesia” moment, Adéla shared a memorable incident when her scooter broke down in the middle of the street. Before she could even process 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.”

Outside the classroom, Adéla was fortunate to travel extensively, noting that every corner of Indonesia is beautiful and that the diversity—of nature, religion, and cultures—never stops amazing her.

Advice for Future Students

Adéla’s advice for future international students joining the UGM exchange program is centered on patience and interaction:

• Take things slow, focus on the positives, and embrace the slow life culture.
• Understand that while not everything is 100% efficient, “that doesn’t mean it is worse.”
• Learn as much Bahasa Indonesia as you can and don’t be afraid to interact with local people, who are “the nicest and friendliest people.”
• Always be respectful, recognizing the opportunity to witness the actual day-to-day life of the people here.

Adéla Straková summarizes her time at UGM with three words: “Chaotic, transforming, unforgettable.”

Falling in Love with the Culture and Warm Welcome of Yogyakarta

Unforgettable Moments Beyond the Classroom

Advice for Future Exchange Students

Tegalrejo, 11 December 2025

A community service program titled “Community-Based Production of Superior Local Chicken and Catfish Seedlings” was held on November 29, 2025, at the Baiturrahim Masjid in Tegalrejo Hamlet, Ngesrep Village, Boyolali Regency. The event was officially opened by Ms. Siti Fatonah, a representative of PT. Pertamina Patra Niaga. This program, which has been running for approximately four months, is a collaboration between the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT. Pertamina Patra Niaga, emphasizing community empowerment in the livestock and aquaculture sectors. The activity supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through knowledge transfer, mentoring, and multi-sector collaboration.

During the event, Dr. med.vet.drh. Hendry Saragih, M.P. delivered a presentation on proper management practices for free-range chicken husbandry. He highlighted the importance of maintaining chicken health through effective feed management, sanitation, disease prevention, and proper coop construction. Participants also received guidance on selecting superior local chicken breeds to enhance productivity and strengthen the sustainability of community-based livestock enterprises. The program was facilitated by Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S.Si., M.Kes. In addition, Ms. Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. distributed educational leaflets on proper catfish farming techniques, including pond preparation, selecting high-quality catfish fry, water quality management, and efficient maintenance practices—knowledge crucial for promoting responsible aquaculture in line with SDG 12.

The activity was attended by eight residents representing the Tegalrejo Hamlet farmer group, who participated enthusiastically and actively discussed challenges and strategies related to effective chicken and fish farming. To conclude the event, participants and speakers conducted a field visit to the model chicken coop and catfish ponds constructed by the local community. Through this program, it is expected that residents will be able to implement productive and sustainable farming practices while strengthening local partnerships as a tangible contribution to SDG 17, ultimately supporting improved economic welfare and village-level food security.

Contributors: Ardaning Nuriliani, Hendry Saragih, Nur Indah Septriani