UNAIR NEWS – This year’s international student exchange program initiated by Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), AMERTA (Academic Mobility Exchange for Undergraduate and Masters at Airlangga), is now officially over. Some international students participating in AMERTA attended the closing ceremony on Monday, June 19, 2023, in Rote Room, ASEEC Tower, Dharmawangsa (B) Campus, UNAIR.
The Head of Global Mobility Programs Division UNAIR AGE (Airlangga Global Engagement), Astria Okta Herdiani SIKom, attended the closing ceremony. In her remarks, Astria expressed her gratitude and congratulated to the international students participating in the program.
Implementation of Unity in Diversity
Astria said that the AMERTA program aims to develop potentials and provide new learning experiences for international students. For about one semester, they adapted and followed the academic climate in UNAIR. Furthermore, these international students also had the opportunity to study the diversity of cultures and customs of the people in Surabaya and East Java.
“This program is a program that can help international students to develop their potentials, gain new experiences, and learn new culture in Surabaya in particular and East Java,” said Astria.
Astria continued that the international students of the AMERTA program could also exchange stories about their cultures as well as share perspectives. It is an implementation of unity in diversity within UNAIR.
Student impressions
Some of the AMERTA program students also shared their impressions and experiences while at UNAIR. Osama, one of them, expressed his gratitude to the staff and colleagues who had accompanied him and provided him with a wonderful experience.
Furthermore, Osama said that participating in a student exchange program in Indonesia was something he had never thought of. He admitted, before coming to Indonesia, he did not know the ins and outs of this country.
“I did not know much about this country then. And I also didn’t expect to study in Indonesia at all,” said the student from the Netherlands.
However, after studying at UNAIR, Osama realized that Indonesia is a very extraordinary country. He was happy because he met new colleagues from Indonesia and fellow AMERTA program participants.
“I am very happy because the people I met here are extraordinary, be it Indonesian students, AMERTA students, or the people of Surabaya. Of course, it will be something I will always remember.”
In the end, the attending AMERTA program students played games in Indonesian. They were also asked to write messages and impressions to give to fellow colleagues and AGE staff. (*)
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
