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

A research team from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), led by Ganies Riza Aristya, Ph.D., has achieved a significant milestone in Indonesian strawberry genomic research by successfully uncovering and characterizing the complete chloroplast genome of the superior local strawberry cultivar, ‘Mencir’. This research, funded by a Fundamental Basic Research Grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, successfully optimized a high-quality DNA extraction method using a modified CTAB buffer, yielding DNA with optimal purity and concentration for next-generation sequencing. Nanopore sequencing technology using the ONT PromethION platform successfully generated comprehensive chloroplast genomic data, with a total length of 155,568 base pairs, which was then assembled and annotated comprehensively.

In-depth analysis of the genome revealed the structure and organization of critical genes involved in photosynthesis and chloroplast gene regulation, namely the ndh, pet, and rpo gene groups. The mapping of exon-intron structures, analysis of conserved motifs, and 3D protein structure predictions successfully provided detailed insights into the complexity and uniqueness of each gene group. Furthermore, the research team, which includes three Faculty of Biology students—Tika Nur Amini, Andreas Wibisono, and Tan Rendy—also conducted a robust phylogenetic analysis, confirming strong kinship relationships among species within the Rosaceae family and strengthening the understanding of the evolutionary history and chloroplast inheritance patterns in the commercial hybrid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa).

This research activity has not only produced highly valuable foundational data but has also yielded several tangible outputs, including two research publications in reputable international journals, as well as dissemination videos and posters. Synergistic collaboration with local partners—such as Inggit Strawberry Agritourism in Magelang and Sleman—and the genomics industry partner Integrated Genome Factory (IGF), has enriched the research process and ensured the applied relevance of the achieved results.

Strategically, this research achievement provides a solid scientific foundation for strawberry breeding programs based on molecular markers and gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9. In the second year, the research will focus on the functional validation of candidate genes and the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for important agronomic traits, such as disease resistance and photosynthetic efficiency, which can be directly utilized by plant breeders.

Finally, this research activity directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, Achieving Food Security and Improved Nutrition, and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture. By developing superior strawberry varieties that are more productive, stress-tolerant, and adaptive to local conditions, this research promotes a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system. Additionally, through enhancing the capacity of local human resources and transferring knowledge to farmers (SDG 4: Quality Education), as well as inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals), this research serves as a tangible example of how genomic science can be directed to support food sovereignty, community empowerment, and sustainable and equitable agricultural development in Indonesia.

Tegalrejo, 11 December 2025