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| The portrait of Bisma Arifudin, one of the UMM management students currently studying in Turkey. (Photo: Istimewa) |
Being an exchange student doesn't cross Bisma Arifudin's mind. He has successfully gotten a chance to study for one semester at Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey. The first thing that amazed him was the easy access to transportation, like a subway; it even passed through METU; hence, it could have enabled him to go to some locations to shop and visit. Additionally, he also feels convenient with the use of a cashless.
Despite that, the man known as Bisma is comfortable studying in Turkey. One of the reasons is the ease of facilities and technology provided there. For example, learning videos can be reassessed easily on the campus platform. That said, it can enable him to review followed lessons during the lecture.
"We can also submit assignments on the campus platform. So we don't need to print a lot, and it's more paperless. Our student car is also used as e-money, so it facilitates us to pay anything," added that student from Singosari.
Another interesting thing he experienced is the difference in the learning way of Indonesian and Turkey students. Students there are more individualist and prefer to study by themselves. He rarely sees anyone studying in groups. As a result, it makes it a little difficult for him to make friends with students.
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"But as time goes by, I try to approach native students and tell them a lot of things. We also study together so that it can help me to adapt more in Turkey," said he.
The management student of UMM also felt quite surprised that in Turkey, most male students are more ambitious and strive to achieve the best grade, unlike in Indonesia, which is more dominated by female students, especially when it's related to assignment submission and getting the best grade competition.
Again, another pretty thing he experienced was his visitation to Cappadocia, where he could see a lot of hot air balloons decorating the sky. It amazed him, and luckily, Bisma wasn't alone in going there, but with his international friends.
His departure to Turkey is inseparable from the bilateral cooperation between the White Campus — the alias of UMM — and METU, Turkey. Bisma feels thankful because he can enroll and study at UMM since the university immerses its students in many student exchange programs. He also hopes other students can actively look for information from UMM's International Relations Office (IRO) and imitate his journey.
"When else can you visit and feel the atmosphere of studying in another country. Oh yes, I also plan to develop community service programs in school. One of them is about the use of gadgets as educational facilities. Enabling students to understand materials and not burdening them to bring a ton of books," ended the management student. (imh/ri/wil)
