UNAIR NEWS – Benedicta Riona Keiko, an International Relations student of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) got an opportunity to learn at Sapienza University of Rome through the Indonesia International Student Mobility Award (IISMA).
Her interest in the Sapienza University of Rome courses inspires Keiko to choose Italy as her study destination. She takes Global Humanities: Critical Theory and Transnational Culture; Gender and Economics; and Emerging Africa in the Framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.
For Keiko, it is an unforgettable learning experience. She gains a lot of insight and knowledge during her stay.
The challenges
The educational system in Italy is very different from Indonesia. Student attendance in class is not compulsory. However, the challenges lay in Italy’s examination system, which is conducted in written and oral.
“The oral examination was quite challenging for me. I had to prepare well as I had to see the professor and the local students face to face,” Keiko said.
Besides, speaking Italian is another challenge because not all Italians speak English. Keiko experienced it firsthand when she was shopping at the local supermarket.
Self-Development tips
The difference in the education system between Italy and Indonesia encourages Keiko to be adaptive. Therefore, she joins Minerva Lab, a facility program created by the university to provide webinars and materials for the courses.
Keiko’s weakness in the Italian language does not stop her from learning. She uses her spare time to study Italian with other awardees. It helps her a lot.
Valuable experiences in Sapienza
Studying is not the only thing Keiko does in Italy. She also promotes Indonesian culture to the local students by wearing batik on Batik Day.
She plants trees with the local students in a garden in Roma, explores the neighboring countries of Italy, and visits potential universities for her master’s degree.
She hoped that the IISMA awardees from UNAIR will increase by year. IISMA allows students to see the world with new perspectives and provide memorably life-changing experiences.
“For the next awardees, don’t stress out [in the registration phase]. Think of it this way: all your journey is a self-development process. Don’t focus on the result. Do your best!” Keiko said.
Author: Satrio Dwi Naryo
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
