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A message from Skipwise Summer English Course Chiba University Participants :D

taken by : Shilmi Budiarti Ningsih

Asyiknya Jadi Host Family!

Shilmi Budiarti Ningsih, Sastra Jerman FIB 2011

Halloooo UIBC-ers :)

Saya mau share nih bagaimana kesan-kesan dan cerita sedikit mengenai rasanya jadi host family dari program ini. Saya menjadi host family untuk mahasiswa Skipwise Summer English Course Program Chiba University yang berlangsung selama 12 hari dimulai dari tanggal 18 Agustus sampai dengan 29 Agustus 2014. Pada tanggal 18 Agustus yang merupakan hari pertama kedatangan mereka di Indonesia tepatnya pada pukul 18:00, semua host family diharuskan untuk menjemput mereka di bandara Soekarno-Hatta. Saya selaku salah satu host family merasa tidak sabar untuk bertemu mereka dan rasa penasaran seperti apa dua mahasiswi asing yang dua minggu ke depan akan tinggal di rumah saya.

Rasa penasaran saya terjawab ketika mereka datang dan Mbak Amanda (selaku penanggung jawab program ini) menyebutkan dua nama mahasiswi yaitu Misaki Hirota dan Kaori Tanaka yang akan tinggal di rumah saya beberapa pekan ke depan. Kesan pertama bertemu mereka adalah mereka orang yang sangat ramah dan polos dengan gaya bicara Bahasa Inggris yang kurang saya mengerti (contoh : A lot of people = arotof pipel). Akan tetapi seiring berjalannya waktu saya mulai beradaptasi dan memahami gaya bicara mereka. Perlahan-lahan saya juga mengajari mereka Bahasa Indonesia terutama dalam sapaan dan berkenalan dengan orang baru.

Ketika tiba di rumah saya untuk pertama kalinya dan disambut hangat oleh keluarga saya, mereka terlihat sangat ramah dan senang karena (mungkin) mereka merasa akan punya keluarga baru selama mereka disini. Hari-hari pun berlanjut, setiap pagi hingga sore mereka memiliki jadwal English course dan beberapa seminar mengenai “Indonesian-Japan” di kampus UI. Untuk menuju ke kampus UI, saya menyediakan transportasi motor (yang tentunya mereka dibonceng dengan saya dan teman saya). Kesan pertama mereka naik motor itu sangat sangat senang karena itu merupakan pengalaman pertama mereka naik motor (sebab di negara mereka sangat jarang sekali terdapat motor). Namun terkadang disaat yang tidak memungkinkan untuk mengendarai motor, saya pun mengantarkan mereka menggunakan taksi.

Setiap kali mereka tiba di rumah, mereka selalu disajikan jus dan buah-buahan segar seperti manggis, salak, pisang, dll. Ternyata mereka sangat menyukai yang namanya buah manggis. Selain itu, ibu saya juga sering menjamu mereka dengan makanan-makanan khas Indonesia seperti nasi goreng, mie goreng, tempe, bakso, gurame asam manis, martabak mie, ayam bakar, sayur-sayuran, lontong mie, dll. Dari semua makanan itu, mereka sangat menyukainya dan mereka bilang masakan ibu saya sangat enak.

Di rumah saya setiap malamnya ada anak-anak SD yang belajar, karena ibu saya adalah seorang guru. Misaki dan Kaori pun memperkenalkan diri mereka dalam Bahasa Indonesia. Lama-kelamaan mereka sering mengobrol dengan anak-anak disini dan anak-anak pun menyukai mereka karena mereka berdua memang pribadi yang asyik dan ramah. Hingga pada suatu hari mereka berdua mengajarkan anak-anak cara membuat origami dan anak-anak sangat antusias dengan hal itu. Mereka berdua bagaikan artis di daerah rumah saya ^_^

Pada hari Minggu tepatnya 24 Agustus 2014 saya mengajak mereka berlibur ke daerah yang berhubungan dengan alam dan tidak terlalu jauh dari rumah. Saya mengajak mereka ke Sentul Paradise Park yang terdapat Curug Bidadari, kemudian makan siang di Pasar Ah Poong. Dengan antusiasnya, mereka banyak mengambil gambar di sana karena pemandangannya sangat indah. Kemudian, ketika mereka di Pasar Ah Poong mereka menyantap gado-gado dan bubur ikan. Lagi-lagi mereka menyukainya.

Tiba saatnya mereka harus pulang pada hari Jumat tanggal 29 Agustus. kita semua merasa sangat sedih karena sudah menganggap mereka seperti keluarga sendiri. Misaki dan Kaori juga merasa ingin tinggal lebih lama di Indonesia. Di saat perpisahan ini, keluarga saya memberikan banyak kenang-kenangan untuk mereka bawa pulang ke Jepang yang tentunya khas dari Indonesia. Saya pribadi memberikan album foto yang berisikan foto-foto selama mereka ada di Indonesia dan tak ketinggalan juga foto-foto makanan Indonesia favorit mereka agar mereka tidak lupa dengan pengalaman-pengalaman mereka selama disini. Dengan album foto itu, mereka bisa menceritakan kepada keluarga atau teman mereka di Jepang bahwa Indonesia merupakan salah satu negara yang memiliki banyak potensi kekayaan alam dan orang-orangnya sangat ramah hahaha…

Sampai pada akhirnya ketika mereka sudah pulang dan ibu saya menemukan sepucuk surat seperti ucapan terima kasih mereka terhadap kami dan kesan-kesan mereka selama ada disini. Ketika saya membacanya saya merasa terharu karena jadi kangen mereka dan merasa sangat senang jika mereka mendapatkan banyak pengalaman dan kesan yang menyenangkan selama mereka berada disini.

Sejujurnya masih banyak sekali yang mau saya share tapi kayanya kasian juga yang bacanya ntar kepanjangan hahaha… Bagi yang rumahnya sekitaran Depok, Jakarta dan Bogor lain waktu kalau ada program host family lagi ikutan aja, dijamin seru banget dan ga akan nyesel deh!

#chibauniversity #shortcourse #host family

Exciting Way to Spend Your Weekend : UIBC Outing to Cinangneng Village!

ATTENTION FOR ALL UI INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS!

While you're away from home, make every time counts ^_^ Discover new experience by joining UIBC Outing to Cinangneng Village and know more about one Indonesian ethnicity, Sundanese!

Playing musical instrument,dancing,singing,farming,cooking, you name it! We have them all here :D

When? : September 13, 2014 Where? : Cinangneng Village, Bogor Fee : 350.000 IDR

Please contact Stela (081282152924) by text message with this format : Full name_Faculty_Country_Indonesia phone number_e-mail

We'll wait for your text message until Sep 5!

Thanks and see you in Cinangneng! ^o^

Singapur: Dari Ke”Kiasu”an dalam Semangkuk Yong Tau Foo Hingga PINUS

Natalia Gunawan – HI UI

30 Juli 2013 merupakan salah satu tanggal bersejarah dalam hidup saya. Bagaimana tidak, hari itu adalah hari saya resmi terbang ke negeri sebrang untuk menjalani program pertukaran pelajar. Program pertukaran pelajar ini didukung oleh International Office Universitas Indonesia dan dijalankan melalui ASEAN University Network. Sesuai dengan namanya, saya harus memilih salah satu negara di ASEAN sebagai tujuan pertukaran pelajar ini. Saya memutuskan Singapur dan saya pun berhasil mendapatkannya sebagai pilihan pertama saya. Setibanya di Singapur, saya langsung disibukkan dengan registrasi serta prosedur di National University of Singapore. Alasan saya memilih universitas ini sangat jelas, terlihat dari rating dan popularitas universitas ini yang mendunia. Beberapa minggu setelahnya, proses belajar mengajar pun dimulai. Saya mengambil tiga mata kuliah yang bertempat di Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS): International Political Economy, French 1, dan American History from Settlement to Superpower. Proses pengambilan mata kuliah di NUS berbeda dengan di UI. Setiap mahasiswa diwajibkan untuk melakukan bidding setiap mata kuliah yang diinginkan diambilnya. Tiap poin bidding ini berbeda-beda di setiap mata kuliah. Hal ini menyebabkan berhasil atau tidaknya mata kuliah yang diinginkan dapat terambil tergantung dari poin bidding yang dimiliki sang mahasiswa. Selain itu mahasiswa juga harus berlomba dengan yang lainnya untuk mendapatkan kelas yang diinginkan. Bisa dibayangkan bagaimana jadinya apabila kelas yang diinginkan merupakan kelas yang terkenal. Namun, beruntungnya saya sebagai seorang pelajar pertukaran, saya tidak harus melalui proses sulit tersebut. Saya hanya perlu mendaftarkan mata kuliah yang diinginkan dan kesuksesan terambilnya mata kuliah hanya tergantung dari kuota kelasnya. Dapat dikatakan hampir 100% mata kuliah yang diinginkan bisa didapatkan. Selama saya menjalani masa studi saya di NUS, saya bisa mengatakan terdapat tiga hal yang mencerminkan universitas ini. Pertama, universitas satu ini sangat sarat dengan faktor “kiasu”. Kiasu merupakan bahasa lokal Singapur yang berarti kompetitif. Hampir seluruh mahasiswa di NUS (mungkin bisa saja semua mahasiswanya) sangat kompetitif. Anda dapat melihat seorang mahasiswa yang “nakal” dan selalu “bermain-main” akan tiba-tiba berubah sifat dan kebiasaannya menjadi fokus belajar seminggu atau dua minggu sebelum ujian akhir. Luar biasa! Seorang mahasiswa pun harus terus belajar dan update dengan kepintaran dan keterampilannya baik secara akademis maupun non akademis dengan suasana ke”kiasu”an ini. Bila tidak, dapat dipastikan sang mahasiswa bisa tertinggal dari yang lainnya. Kedua, yong tau foo. Bagi yang belum familiar dengan tiga kata ini, yong tau foo merupakan makanan khas Singapur. Yong tau foo merupakan makanan berupa sup yang lauknya bisa dipilih dari baso ikan, pempek ikan, sosis, jamur, dan banyak lainnya, hingga sayur-sayuran. Sup yong tau foo bisa dipilih dari sup biasa bening atau sup laksa.

Yong Tau Foo

Pilihan karbohidrat untuk teman makan yong tau foo juga bervariasi dari mie, bihun dan nasi. Makanan ini merupakan makanan favorit mahasiswa di NUS, khususnya mahasiswa di FASS. Bisa dipastikan, setiap break time, stall yong tau foo di kantin selalu penuh dan ramai. Mahasiswa NUS berkumpul di setiap meja kantin menyeruput lezatnya sup yong tau foo, ditemani oleh buku pelajaran dan teman-temannya. Ketiga, sifat kekeluargaan dan persaudaraan yang terjalin oleh para mahasiswa Indonesia di NUS berhasil membuat saya merasa seperti di rumah. Para mahasiswa Indonesia ini terjalin dalam organisasi PINUS – Perhimpunan Indonesia NUS. Mereka membantu dan membimbing saya dalam beberapa waktu awal pertama di Singapur. Mereka mengajari dari hal yang paling biasa seperti keberadaan tempat fotokopi dan printing di NUS hingga hal yang paling luar biasa seperti menjalankan pentas tersukses dalam sejarah PINUS yakni NUANSA 2013 – Dance of the Earth. Saya menjadi bagian keluarga besar NUANSA 2013 sebagai salah satu dari enam orang yang bertanggung jawab akan kostum serta make up para pemeran panggung Dance of the Earth. Petualangan dan pengalaman saya di NUS harus berakhir pada bulan Desember. Perpisahan dengan temanteman yang saya temui selama di Singapur merupakan hal yang terberat yang saya harus lakukan. Perpisahan menjadi manis ketika saya menyadari saya mendapatkan surprise dari roommates saya di sana. Mereka menuliskan kartu perpisahan untuk saya dan menghabiskan malam terakhir dengan makan pizza serta bermain bridge bersama. Waktu saya di NUS mungkin telah berakhir, namun persahabatan, pengalaman, dan pembelajaran yang telah saya dapatkan di sana tidak akan pernah berakhir dan akan terus saya bawa serta terapkan hingga suatu waktu nanti saya bisa bertemu kembali dengan mereka di Singapur sana yang telah membantu membentuk saya menjadi saya yang sekarang ini. Akhir kata, saya secara khusus turut pula ingin bersyukur dan berterima kasih kepada setiap pihak yang telah membantu saya hingga saya dapat turut serta dalam pertukaran pelajar di NUS: Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, keluarga saya, Mba Nisa, Pak Jun dari International Office UI, Raja sebagai partner exchange di NUS dan teman-teman saya di Singapur yang hanya oleh karena mereka, pengalaman singkat ini dapat saya tuliskan.

Saya bersama Dancers dalam Nuansa 2013 (backstage)

Hari kemerdekaan Singapur bersama PINUS

#journal

TF-LearN Program at National University of Singapore Journey Report

Dinda Dwita Puspasari

Home University: University of Indonesia

Being one of the TF-LearN Scholars is definitely one of the best experience I could have to prepare myself in this globalization era. There are so many things I have gained during my stay here in Singapore. Some of them are the ability to adapt well with a new environment, experience of living in a very academic atmosphere, the intercultural skills to communicate and socialize with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and of course an open mind and a big heart to learn how to help others and get involved in a community.

All those things we gained from TF-LearN program shaped us to become not only the future leaders, but also the agent of change. Started from the closest community around us, we can then spread our wings to the entire world. This is an exchange program. We get to meet so many people from around the world here, as well as the locals. And kindness is contagious. Even a slight amount of kindness can move someone’s heart to do the same to others too. Doing community service is one of the example how we can make a difference in a community. It doesn’t have to be something really big. Even the smallest thing, if we do it with passion and sincerety, will have a big impact on someone. I learned about caring and loving others through community service, and I would like to continue doing it after I get back to my home country. I wish what the TF-LearN Scholars have done through these community services can open the people’s eyes and make a difference in that community.

Singapore and Indonesia is not very far apart. The weather and the climate is approximately the same, so I don’t really feel shocked in that sense. But, the people is very different. Singaporeans are very nice and helpful, and it has been proven by us the TF-LearN Scholars by doing a little experiment. In that experiment, we were pretending as the tourists who were lost and can’t speak English very well. Their dedication to help the strangers were just amazing. I don’t think I would ever see that kind of thing back home. They didn’t only try to explain to us the directions, some of them even intended to take us to the place! It was amazing! I didn’t mean to say that Indonesians are not nice. Of course Indonesians are known for the people and how nice they are. The difference is, I think Singaporeans are used to the safe conditions so they trust almost everybody, but in Indonesia there are so many criminal cases which involve trusting strangers so most of them are afraid to get too close to strangers. That brings us to one more thing to be mentioned: Singapore is very safe (and clean, for sure)! Singapore is the only country I know where we can just leave our things unattended and then get it back without having people even touch it. And the worst thing I’ve seen on the street is just people jaywalking (and that even is very rare to see)!

At school, the difference between my country Indonesia and Singapore is in the atmosphere. School in Singapore is very competitive, and that leads to more pressures and stressful condition. We can see the students study all the time, until late at night everyday. And I think the students in Singapore are very used to memorizing things, that’s why even though education in Singapore is very good, it still can’t be the best education system in the world. When I asked my friends who are the full time students at NUS, they agreed that school here in Singapore is very stressful. They even added that it is probably because working condition in Singapore is also very competitive. But it is such an experience for me, because it motivates me to work harder too. Seeing all the other students study, it is hard to resist the temptation to do the same.

Rag & Flag Day: NUS Culture

Volunteering at “Balik Kampung” – an environment-based activity which allows us to connect with the people as well as the nature

University Scholars Program (USP) Life: Red House Gathering

Campaign for TF-LearN Workshop Project

Exchange Report to NUS under TF LeaRN Program Semester 1 AY 2013/2014

Written by Melia Halim – FISIP UI

At first, I don’t really think the exchange experience to Singapore will teach me a lot. The naïve –and now seems stupid- question such as: “what unique insight will you gain since it is so similar with Indonesia?” Or “why you are not going further?” haunted my decision to do exchange to this small island country which distance only two hours flight from Jakarta. However, in the end, I am grateful to have a chance to experience world class education in NUS, the best university in Asia by the time I enrolled.

The education system in NUS is really different with what I have experienced in UI. In NUS, both of the students and professors heavily utilized the university technology infrastructure to communicate. It is so convenient, considering I even have one module whose professor only use webcast lectures during the semester! Not only the education system, the campus housing has different system as well. Living in USP University Town, a unique concept of student dormitory, where you not only live with fellow students, but NUS Professors as well! Because of this unique concept, it is not a rare sight to meet your professor in room corridor or in the dining hall, having a heated-yet-friendly discussion with the fellow students who live in the dorm. The never-ending- fun-dormitory-events will surely make your experience living in campus housing unforgettable such as Halloween, Quidditch game, Vertical Marathon, and many more.

Although Singapore is very close in terms of distance with Indonesia and shared similar culture, you will be surprised that we are so different in many aspects of life. The advance development of technology and economy turns out not the only differences we have! In fact, we are so different in many little things! For example, it is perfectly normal to attend lectures only wearing tank tops, shorts, and flip flops. In fact, this is how most students, if not all, dress up for the class. Exceptions are made only for those who take special module or have a formal presentation. Some of my Indonesian exchange friends even have to buy less formal clothes since they feel uncomfortable wearing long pants or smart casual –the thing that they usually wear when attending lecture in Indonesia- as everyday attire in Singapore.

As an international melting pot, where a lot of migrants come and have a living in Singapore, Singapore is no stranger to international environment. Even in the university itself, you can easily find a lot of international students from all over the world, such as North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Thus, the exchange experience rewards me a lot of new things from the huge international exposure to accustom you in fast-paced life in developed country, a rare chance to understand how Singaporeans live and perceived their reality.

Despite the ranging experience I had in Singapore, the best part of the exchange is the TF LeaRN program itself. Going exchange under the scholarship program, not only gives you more options on how to fund yourself, but also an opportunity to create a real network with another 40 scholars across Asia under the same scholarship. The compulsory program such as fulfilling community service requirement helps us to create bond among the TF Scholars –that’s how we name ourselves- and understand the Singapore society better.

In the end, it is funny to realize that doing academic exchange to Singapore is one of the best decisions I made during my undergraduate year in university. Going exchange is once in lifetime opportunity since you are only young once and believe me; it is totally worth the extra miles. The complicated and long process in the application period is totally paid-off! It is indeed a life changing experience. The world is indeed bigger than you think and you might be surprised for what experience develop you further in the middle of your exchange.

Picture: 1 During ASEAN Learning Journey, as part of TF LeaRN Program, we have to showcase our own culture to the fellow TF Scholars and other international visitors.

Picture: 2. Our USP Event! Yes, it is a dormitory but no one can prevent a costume party and special theme dinner for Halloween!

Picture: 3 International day out with fellow NUS Exchange Students

Picture: 4 Taking picture with NUS mascot on Rag Day!

Trip Report: STISS 2013 (2nd batch)

By Malinda Damayanti (Hubungan Internasional, 2011)

Come to think about my personal experience in South Korea this summer, I heard an old Korean proverb saying, “even if you have to crawl on your knees, get yourself to Seoul”.

Formally named as Republic of Korea, I managed to roam around in its majestic capital city, Seoul, for about two weeks, and meet many new and kind friends in the way. Up until now, this trip made up my best summer ever. Maybe the old saying is true after all, I would never regret my decision in joining.

First of all, I was really lucky to be in the part of STISS 2013. In all of the classes and also trips, we had fun encountering Korean culture, both the traditional and also the contemporary ones, then learning about those, too. The Korean language is a bit tricky, for me. Differs with Indonesian language, the pronunciation is more varied, especially the vowels with abundant ways to say ‘e’. But actually the Korean alphabet, hangeul, are much more simple rather than Japanese’ kana-kanji, and of course Mandarin. Beforehand I took Japanese course last year, and compared to that, hangeul is really beginner-friendly. You only have to combine the vowels and consonants, and voila! Wow, that makes me really curious to continue learning the language further. The other classes were very entertaining, like the music, traditional music, and movie classes, where we got the opportunity to add up our Korean vocabularies, and to look further about the Korean history, also the people’ lifestyle. Overall, I wish my college classes would be as entertaining as STISS classes hehehe.

That’s not all! It would be a pity to spend such a beautiful summer only in the campus area, right? So, we also visited three interesting places in the program. First, we went to Yong-in, where the nearby Korean Folk Village from Seoul is located. Maybe, it has some similarities with our Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), because both are trying to promote the traditional cultural heritage that their own countries has. But in Yong-in, they had this regular performances everyday to attract the visitors, like that one in the picture is the traditional orchestra and dance group with colorful costume they had, or there are acrobatic horse shows, acrobatic rope walking shows, they even had some kind of real Korean traditional wedding service there. The place is decorated to preserve what it would be like to live in the old Korea era, as you can also see from the saeguk drama (historical drama) which also happened to shoot some of their scenes in Yong-in, like several of my favourite dramas are.

Second, we visited the Seoul Metropolitan Police Office located in the Jongno-gu, near Gwanghwamun square. Two things worth noting there, we were able to try how to practice shooting gun from virtual computer system, which is super cool, like we had felt how it would be like to be trained as police officers (or even spies!), and the other one was to see how the officer monitored Seoul city conditions from their abundant security cameras. You see, if you happened to walk around in Seoul, you can see many CCTV in the roads, even on the buses too, it turns out that the officer really pay attention to those as a guidance to help and inform the citizen if traffic jam, or accidents happened in some places. Very cool technology, indeed.

Thirdly, we also went to see the Nanta theatrical performance nearby. Nanta is an authentic kind of theatrical art originating from Korean traditional, and modern art, which happened to be popular at home in Korea, and also abroad. It contained some kind of kitchen setting, and utilized the kitchen utensils as a musical instrument. Wow, surprisingly great, not to mention the realistic cuisine’ fragrance too hehe. The artists who performed that day had a very energetic choreography, sometimes interacting with the audiences also.

Formally, that’s all we’d done in the program. Actually, there were still a lot of places that we went to in our free time, like visiting the most eastern part to visit the Indonesian Embassy near Saetgang-yok area, spending Saturday night in Hong-dae with many others Seoul hippest youth, museum-hopping in their free-yet-very-comfortable thematic museums, trying as many flavored fried chicken as possible, cafe-hopping (to get some patbingsoo, coffee, or cakes, and also the free-fast wi-fi signal), eating the yummy street foods everytime we can meet the stalls, and dozen of other activities hehehe. All of that random hang out was possible, because we really had a great help from the Seoul Tech Student Volunteers to lead the way through Seoul’ subway lines, and buses maps, and helping us who couldn’t speak Korean in, literally surviving the Seoul lifestyle.

I am really really really grateful to be able to meet all of the STISS 2013 participants from all over the world, and to meet with a group of helpful-and-yet-kind volunteers who are willing to spend their free time to play with us almost everyday. I wish I can meet them again in another opportunity. Last but not least, thank you very much, UI International Office in helping me getting the opportunity to participate in this program. I also hope this report will be useful for anyone who needs it.

Lucu juga sih.. (STISS Program 2013)

By Kinanti Rakayantias (Teknik Informatika, 2010)

It was Monday morning that I woke up within a reinvigorated environment. It was sunny and everyone seemed so happy. I knew that on that day I’ll be abroad within 24 hours. South Korea everyone; the city of love. The flight itself took 9 hours, plus 5 hours for transfer flight at Low Carrier Cost Terminal (LCCT), Malaysia. The truth was, it felt like only a second! Because I was accompanied by my two silly friends; Hafizh and Aini. You guys truly rock!

STISS (Seoul Tech International Summer School) adalah salah satu program yang ditawarkan oleh Seoul National University of Science and Technology (lebih terkenal dengan sebutan SeoulTech) kepada universitas-universitas rekanan. Beruntung, Universitas Indonesia, tempat saya belajar dan bermain dalam hampir 4 tahun terakhir diundang untuk berpartisipasi. Puji Syukur tak habis-habisnya kepada Tuhan, saya terpilih untuk mewakili UI dalam program STISS gelombang 1 (26 Juni – 5 Juli) tahun ini. Saya yakin, ke-delapan teman saya lainnya berbagi cerita yang berbeda-beda selama program STISS tahun ini. Begitu juga dengan saya.

Banyak hal baru yang membuat saya belajar banyak hal selama program ini, mulai dari hal-hal yang bersifat materi, sampai pengembangan diri. Nggak semudah itu lho ternyata untuk mingle dengan teman-teman dari negara yang berbeda. Bersyukur rasanya bisa kenal dengan teman dari Jepang, Arab (FYI, gelombang 1 didominasi teman-teman dari Uni Arab Emirates), Taiwan, Mongolia, Malaysia, Cina, dan tentunya, Korea Selatan. Ini adalah kali pertama saya bergaul dengan teman-teman dari berbagai negara.

Lucu juga sih…terkadang lawakan-lawakan yang menurut saya lucu, menurut mereka engga, begitu juga sebaliknya.

Lucu juga sih…. denger mereka terkagum-kagum karena saya, Hafizh, dan Aini dapat dengan fasihnya mengucapkan “RRRRRRRRR”. Andai kalian semua liat ekspresi muka mereka ketika kita mengatakan “Ular Melingkar-Lingkar di Pagar”.

Lucu juga sih… kalo inget betapa saya, Aini, dan Hafizh dengan genitnya mencari perhatian “gebetan-sementara” selama program (sampe janjian mau pake dress supaya para “doi” tertarik :p). Dasar genit…

Lucu juga sih…kalo inget betapa takutnya sama teman-teman UAE ketika pertama kali melihat mereka, eh ternyata hati Hello Kitty; baik-baik dan gentle…Ah…. *melting*

Lucu juga sih….terus dilempar tatapan genit sama seorang cowok ganteng berinisial “M”, namun yang lebih mengejutkan adalah bahwa sang tersangka melempar tatapan sejenis hanya ke saya, Aini, dan…………..………Hafizh. What’s with us???

Lucu juga sih…memainkan ampar-ampar pisang di depan kelas musik, dan semua terus bertanya, “why bananas?”

Lucu juga sih…makan pizza pake ubi

Lucu juga sih… kalo tiap liat Hangeul sekarang langsung mencoba-coba baca (감사합니다!)

Lucu juga sih…nari-nari topeng diiringi lagu “PSY-Gentleman” di depan semua peserta, panitia, dan volunteers, yang diselingi dengan gerakan dahsyat melepas topeng.

Lucu juga sih… kalo inget nangis perpisahan jam 3 pagi di tengah gegap gempita dunia gemerlap para pemuda pemudi Seoul. Agak kontras…

Lucu juga sih..kalo inget betapa dulu saya, Hafizh, dan Aini nggak kenal, dan jaim-jaiman banget, pas pulang bawaannya pengen ketemu dan bernostalgia terus.

Lucu juga sih….kalo sadar betapa susahnya move on dari kenangan-kenangan itu…

Pada akhirnya, hanya rasa syukur dan terimakasih yang ada dalam diri kami setelah diberi kesempatan untuk ‘menyicipi’ indahnya Seoul, Korea Selatan, sebelum pada akhirnya kami melanjutkan kewajiban dan rutinitas kami di Tanah Air Indonesia.

STISS Term 1

By Nuraini Rahayuning Wulan (Sastra Korea, 2010)

This was my second time to step my feet in South Korea. At first, I thought it couldn’t be more exciting than my previous one, a Korean-conducted summer school that I had last year, but I WAS WRONG! I love it more! I love STISS more than any other summer schools, trips and exchanges I have ever had! And even though it has been a month and a half since the programs ended, I still have the vivid image of all the fun things I’ve done in STISS! And I miss it so badly! Reminisce it, here we go!

I was the only Korean-speaking participant from Indonesia and I was more excited to speak the language I’ve learned here, directly in the motherland of it. And also because of that, I don’t know why but I feel more responsibility to “guide” my other two friends Hafizh and Kinan while we are there. So the journey starts with our flight flew from Jakarta at 6.30 PM and then transferring in Kuala Lumpur and we had to wait for about three hours to get to the plane for Seoul. So, the day after that we finally landed in Incheon International Airport! Yes, we got into South Korea! The Land of the Morning Calm! And of course the land of the world wide K-POP!

Our Liaison, Jo Ara had waited for us since early morning to pick us up. And we finally met her after such a long queue at the immigration checking and she took us to SeoulTech. After meeting with the STISS staffs at their office, we got our program books, T-shirts and also our dormitory room’s keys. We were so tired yet excited and went directly to our rooms because we wanted to shower and do everything. After that we went with Ara to her mom’s Dddeokbokki restaurant which is close to SeoulTech and it was a very delicious lunch!

The next day, we had the opening ceremony. That day was the first time for us all, 43 participants from six countries (Taiwan, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Japan) to meet! I was so happy that I could meet all these great friends there. It was the first time for me to say hi to a lot, I mean, A LOT of UAE friends! Yes, they were like half of us…but they are all so nice and warm. And other friends from other countries are just as great as them! We spent the ten-day program like a light-speed sweet dream. All of the classes and the trips went by like a lightning that we couldn’t stop. We were divided into three classes to have the programs. At the Korean class, I and one participant from Mongolia had to move to Korean Language class for the exchange students in SeoulTech because the level of Korean Language class STISS provided was only Beginner. In that class, we met a lot of exchange students who are already lived in Korea for a year or more. So that was a cool experience. Watching Korean movies called SUNNY in our class together was also so much fun. Not to mention Samulnori Class, a traditional Korean musical instruments class that we learned which was also fun. Kicking and punching in Taekwondo Class was awesome! We got a lot of pictures with cool poses from all of the participants while they’re kicking! Haha! Becoming like a King and a Queen in Korean historical drama while wearing beautiful Hanboks are so incredible that we want to wear it much more longer than the 10-minutes time we each got to try. And I still have the mask I painted myself in the Traditional Mask Class that was so exciting. We felt like we were an artist! A field trip to Yong-in was so great that I actually want to have more time to explore that beautiful place. And finally, I think NANTA show was the best program we had. The performers were so amazing that they could make all the audiences go nuts because of the happy beat music they made through the kitchen sets! I truly want to watch it again someday. The last but not least, the hang-outs that we did EVERYDAY with the volunteers was the best.thing.ever! We experience the real Korea within it. Every day, right after the classes end at 4 PM we would always get ready for our own trips. Usually it will consist of 5-7 participants with 2-3 volunteers to guide us go around Seoul. It was never boring! Insadong, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, Noryangjin, Seoul Tower, Lotte World, Hongdae, Han River, Noraebang and many more! All of those places are so cool that those hang-outs were the best 10-days hang-outs I have ever had! The volunteers are all so nice and helpful that we felt missing without them. Learning Korea through classes and trips are the best thing to experience Korea. And having new friends from all over the world is the best thing we could ever ask in our lives. SeoulTech International Summer School is a very great program for everyone who wants to gain that within ten-day program. I have never thought I would be missing SeoulTech so much. I think the memories and friendships I made there will last forever. Thank you UI and thank you SeoulTech!

A Brief Voyage to the Eyes and Heart of the South Korean

(Kangwon National University International Summer Program 2013)

By Kinnata Nikko (Ilmu Ekonomi, 2009)

South Korean has been experienced rapid economic and cultural growth since the end of the Korean War. As fast as Seoul nouveaux riches’ Ferrari and as elegant as its Parisian wannabe young generations, the country has sprinted into the world-class renowned cultural center. I have spent two weeks staying in the South Korea and this, is my story.

I am one of the two dozen students from universities around the globe chosen to join Kangwon National University International Summer Program. There are one student from Southeast Asia (i.e. me), three from the Europe, four of the U.S., five from the Central Asia and Turkey, and four from the East Asia exclude South Korea, and five of the South Korea. In the university located at Chuncheon city, we learned various subjects related to Korean culture and its dynamic development such as Korean language class, historical economics class, North-South Korea relationship. Outside the classroom, there were equally interesting activities such as traditional percussion music (samul-nori), Taekgwondo martial art, Ceramic making and even K-pop dance that have been taught. All of the taught classes and activities are fun yet insightful for the participants. The lecturers are not only friendly, but also very generous. Our Korean language teacher, Mrs. Shin Mi Young, always give small meaningful present if one can answer her questions, or every time she feels happy.

Outside Chuncheon area, we travelled to four different cities, namely the capital Seoul, 2018 Winter Olympic site Pyongchang, border city Cheorwon, and marine city of Samchuk. All of these excursions are unique in their own ways. In Seoul, we participants went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Even though the palace was long time abandoned by the last king and the royal residents, the guard changing ceremony was utterly grandeur and magnificent. The royal chaperons that used to defend sovereignty of a country are now supporting the dignity of its glorious multimillion dollar tourism industry. In my free day, I went back to Seoul again with a friend to the War Memorial of Korea Museum. Unlike any other museums, this opulent and distinctive place never bore us. We watched four dimensions movies of Korean War, practiced gun-shots, and saw great collection of wartime machineries. We trapped in awe for six hours, before finally escaped from the distinctive place.

Turning our direction to the north, we arrived at alluringly beautiful yet poignant border city between South Korea and North Korea of Cheorwon. This agricultural city, as its landscape is full of hills, is a perfect manifestation of Arirang, a lyrical national folk song that is listed in UNESCO cultural heritage list. It is not surprising to know that Cheorwon is a home to best rice and rice-fermented drink (soju and makgouli) production in South Korea since it has the most fertile soil. The ugly part is that we didn’t have the chance even to try a shot of Cheorwon’s soju. In this strictly guarded city, tourists are not allowed to take picture of military equipment, installations, and the soldiers. We visited the 4th tunnel that is made by North Korean to invade South Korea in the Korean War. Around 30 minutes walking down the narrow and dark tunnel, we were de jure in the North Korea. We also took a look via telescope to the North at the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, which again we are repeatedly warned not to take pictures of the North Korea.

In Pyeongchang, we stayed in a Zen Buddhist temple that unfortunately I have forgotten the name. The temple’s site and its surrounding environment are one of the best parts of the temple stay, not to mention the making of our genuine handmade Buddhist prayer beads by practicing one hundred and eight bows each time we insert bead into the necklet. Honestly, I am not sure whether it is among one of the best or worst part of temple stay, obviously, I won’t let go my precious rosary at any costs. Yet, the definitely worst part is awfully tasted three times vegetarian meal a day.

Last but not least, the participants went to Marine Sport Centre at Samchuk city, which we do a range of water sport activities such as kayaking, yachting, riding a banana boat, and swimming. Enough said.

To conclude, after this visit I realized that South Korea is not only about celebrated global wave of K-pop, mass-produced Samsung mobile phone, hip Michelin star restaurants, and cleverly designed skyscrapers. South Korea is also an animated monument of the past, present and future of the Han people. Life memories of Han people represented in the War Memorial Museum of Korea, the border city of Chaerwon, and the recently re-build Gyeoungbokgung Palace__a national proud that is destroyed to ashes during the occupation of Japan__are some of the most interesting part of my visit to South Korea.

Beach Activities

Group Photos on Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Site

Guard Changing Ceremony at The Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Samul Nori Traditional Percussion

Temple Stay

THE 2013 STISS PROGRAM

by: Hafizh Haidar, Teknik Komputer, 2011

Thinking about the 2013 STISS Program that has ended, it feels surreal now. Perhaps my mind is still travelling around, enjoying the most convenient city I’ve ever been to. I enjoyed every single second I spent with everyone there. Let me start telling you my story.

Over the past summer holiday, I had the privilege of participating in a summer school program in Seoul, South Korea. This program, the 2013 STISS is a cultural program designed by Seoultech for students who wish to improve their understanding of Korea. It offers various courses such as Basic Korean Language, Korean Music, Korean Movie, Korean Traditional Musical Instrument, and Taekwondo. And also, it gives the students opportunity to experience other Korean cultural activities, such as Hanbok Experience, Making Traditional Mask, Field Trip to traditional Korean Village, and also watching Musical Performance (NANTA Show). This program has 3 terms, and I participated in the 1st one along with my 2 friends, Kinanti and Aini.

Not only were we enjoying the scheduled program, but we also had a lot of fun going around the city! Imagine, we never stayed after classes, we always got back to dorm at night. There were always some participants and volunteers asking us out every afternoon. We went to many places, tried a lot of various Korean food and snacks, took loads of pictures, sang millions of songs, and danced till our feet hurt! You only live once, right?

Staying in another country is one of the most effective ways to gain insights about yourself since it forces you to live outside of your comfort zone. I had proven this over my 2-week stay in Seoul when I had to communicate and live with the other participants from various countries. I learnt to live independently and pay more attention to my surroundings. This experience also made me learn from the people in Korea, as they were extremely kind and eager to help me despite the language barrier.

Perhaps the most valuable thing that I got from my STISS experience was the amazing friendship. Staying and studying with participants from Taiwan, Mongolia, UAE, UK, Japan, and also the volunteers from Korea made me learn to value, understand, and respect our differences. Being friends with them gave me new ways of seeing and dealing with things through a different perspective. Most importantly, the bonds I formed with the participants have not only extended my network that will definitely help me in the future, but also given me an opportunity to have new family.

I will never be able to describe how much fun I had during this program, because it’s just too much, believe me. I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to get this incredible summer experience. And I would like to thank Seoultech and also the international office of Universitas Indonesia for giving me that. At first, I joined this program with a view to honing my English and filling my passport with new stamps. But turned out it also gave me insight of what to do in the future. It was brilliant, unforgettable on all levels.

We are UI-ers :)

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