UNAIR NEWS – Dwiki Achmad Thoriq, a fourth-semester student majoring in Indonesian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), recently had the opportunity to visit Malaysia. He took part in the third edition of the Education Impact Study International (EI-SI) program in 2025.
Thoriq secured full sponsorship for the program after winning first place at the National Education Essay Festival (NES-Fest), organized by PT Education Impact Nusantara. He explained that the program, which allowed him to explore Malaysia, ran for three days from Saturday (April 19, 2025) to Monday (April 21, 2025).
“I wanted to refine my essay-writing abilities. The potential benefits of winning were also a big motivation for me. After being announced as the first-place winner of NES-Fest 2024, I applied for the Education Impact Study International (EI-SI) Vol. 3 program because I had met the qualifications for full funding,” he said.
Exploring Malaysia
During the program, Thoriq visited several of Malaysia’s most iconic sites, including temples and historical museums. “On the first day, I explored Bukit Bintang and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. On the second day, I visited Batu Caves, the Bank Negara Museum, and Chinatown. On the third day, I toured the National Art Gallery and delivered a final presentation based on my field studies,” he shared.
Reflecting on the experience, Thoriq shared that many moments left a strong impression on him, particularly his visit to Batu Caves. “There, I witnessed how the Tamil community conducts religious ceremonies with deep devotion. I was also impressed by the Bank Negara Museum, where Malaysia’s financial history was presented in a highly engaging and educational manner,” he recalled.
Named as best delegate
Thoriq’s efforts during the program were rewarded. His strong curiosity and outstanding final presentation earned him recognition as one of the best delegates. “For the final presentation, I focused on comparative linguistics. I carefully compiled my observations and insights from everything I had seen and experienced during the program,” he explained.
He noted that the program offered him significant firsthand knowledge, particularly about language, education, and urban development in Malaysia. “Studying in Kuala Lumpur has broadened my knowledge immensely,” he said.
Looking ahead, Thoriq shared his plans to encourage younger students to take part in similar programs to foster new opportunities and ensure the continuation of this initiative. He also expressed his intent to deepen his study of both Indonesian and Malaysian languages, as well as their shared historical roots.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
