UNAIR NEWS – Alinea Onasis was one of the UNAIR awardees in Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) at Korea University South Korea. Alin, the International Relations student, shared her insightful learning experience in South Korea.
Alin was told about the IISMA from her workplace in the Internationalization and Information Office (KIDI). She made quite an effort to join IISMA, considering the registration dates were open for only two weeks with plentiful requirements. “Not to mention my weekly assignments,” she said.
With supports from her parents and the Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) staff, lecturer, and friends, she made it to IISMA after passing the administration and interview selections. UNAIR, through AGE, provides support during the registration, selection, and pre-departure session, to D-Day.
“During the process, AGE provides all IISMA candidates and awardees information and financial support,” said Alin.
Upon her arrival in Korea, she had to undergo quarantine, which UNAIR also provides additional financial support.
Learning experience at Korea University
At Korea University, there is a student organization known as Korea University Buddy Assistant (KUBA), which aims to assist foreign students in adapting and building networks in Korea. KUBA frequently holds various events, such as cultural exchange, field day, and art festivals.
“Apart from lectures, I also participate in those activities. Not only to unwind but also to build more networks,” she added.
Encountering culture shock in South Korea
The most unforgettable culture shock Alin encountered in South Korea is their tranquility and punctuality. Koreans are always on time and punctual.
“The urban planning is so neat that it became a culture shock to me, who is used to the noise of Surabaya,” said the Surabaya-origin girl.
The UNAIR Faculty of Social and Political Sciences student further described that South Korean locals tend to be shy. Therefore, like IISMA’s slogan: Be Bold, it takes self-initiative to start a conversation with them.
Alin sticks to the principle of the Indonesian proverb that said ‘if you are shy of asking questions, you will get lost in your way.’ The way to survive abroad is to quit being shy to ask and request help. “[Ask] the locals or IISMA friends,” Alin stated.
South Korea is a country where the percentage of adherents of atheism exceeds the number of religious ones. It blurs the religious nuance and activities in the country. The most noticeable difference compared to Indonesia may lie in the unfamiliarity of South Koreans with Islam.
“Even so, there are still religious adherents in South Korea. Religions with the largest number of adherents are the Christian and Buddhism,” she said.
Author: Sandi Prabowo
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
