UNAIR NEWS – International Relations (HI) Study Program student, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has completed his IISMA (Indonesia International Student Mobility Award) student exchange scholarship program in Leicester at the end of last year.
Arsyad Aurellio passed the IISMA scholarship selection as the second batch at Leicester. In addition to carrying out activities scheduled by IISMA, Arsyad and other awardees introduced Indonesia through two things, clothes and food.
Batik as an Indonesian promotion medium
Arsyad admitted that while in Leicester, he often wore batik daily. He and other awardees did this to introduce Indonesia to Leicester friends and the elementary students he mentored.
In addition to introducing Indonesia through batik, with an abundance of spices from Indonesia, they also cooked Indonesian food at accom as a venue for introducing Indonesia.
“While there we were, by design, we were expected to prepare an event to promote Indonesia. However, it seems too normal if it’s just a promotional event. So some of us, including me, had the idea to wear batik to campus, including when we held a volunteering session at the nearest Primary School (equivalent to SD), “explained Arsyad to UNAIR NEWS (March 7, 2023).
Culture shock Arsyad experienced
Furthermore, Arsyad also shared about the culture shock he experienced. Aside from public transportation and European food, which he thought were too bland, Arsyad also shared his culture shock regarding education.
The education system in Leicester, which is quite different from Indonesia, required Arsyad to adapt well. Learning conducted at will without the obligation to attend lectures is an extraordinary experience for Arsyad.
“So, assignments that are really impactful to the final grade are only final assignments, usually in the form of 1000-3000 word essays, depending on the subject. For exams, it’s the same as here. In fact, many were made into one final assignment. So, there is no final exam at all,” he said.
Arsyad hopes that next year there will be more IISMA awardees from UNAIR. For him, following the program will give him an extraordinary experience that will never be forgotten.
“Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t feel inferior and feel you are an underachiever. Because some say, You’ll miss every shot you don’t take. So, just try everything: MBKM, GKS, YSEALI, or other opportunities to go abroad. Because after you experience education there, you’ll realize that you miss a lot of things here,” he concluded.
Author: Cahyaning Safitri
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
