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| Elrosa Nadia Sukmaningtyas, a University of Muhammadiyah Malang student, served as an awardee of the Indonesian International Students Mobility Awards (IISMA) for Hanyang University. (Foto: Istimewa) |
Though the duration of a student exchange program is short, the experience can change the thought and life of a student forever, as said by Elrosa Nadia Sukmaningtyas. She is a UMM student serving as an awardee of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program for Hanyang University, South Korea. The student exchange program initiated by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology lasted for five months.
Elrosa - her nickname - admitted that she felt worried about the learning culture of Koreans. Various Korean dramas and variety shows she watches depict how challenging the learning system in the land of ginger is. The learners there also are ambitious in studying. However, it is not seen when they are studying in classrooms. This 2001-born student was even amazed by the lecturers' teaching style there.
She said that all academic staff at Hanyang University is open to both local and international students. In the learning process, lecturers will even ask students individually whether they have difficulties so that the lecturers can help them. The lecture system there is also unique.
"So, in my first semester, there will be a trial class for one week after choosing a course class. If the students do not like the learning system within one week, they may propose a class change," said the Management Department student.
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Regarding the learning environment, Elrosa re-explained that students in South Korea do not look clearly ambitious in classrooms; however, it is different when they are outside of the learning process. Libraries and learning spaces are full of students, especially when the examination is getting closer. Sometime after the places are open, the seats are usually full of students. Despite the situation, Elrosa expressed that learning in the libraries and learning spaces in South Korea is fun and improves her focus.
Conversely, she was afraid of being stressed due to the education system. On the other hand, Elrosa likes fast moving culture in Korea named 'Pali-Pali.' The culture is applied in every aspect of life, like doing assignments, serving customers, and even walking.
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"It is in contrast to Indonesians, who tend to be chiller. However, applying this culture in my daily life can impact me positively, change my mind productively, and encourage me to manage time well," said Elrosa.
The opportunity to study in South Korea not only gave her a new experience but also allowed her to meet K-Pop idols she is fond of. Elrosa told her story that she and her friends met a K-Pop actor once a week in South Korea. Usually, they visited a variety of music shows like music bank and music core.
Elrosa and her friends even waited on the side of the road for several hours to see their favorite K-Pop idols pass by after they performed. Moreover, she also frequently joined another campus outlook event to meet their famous K-Pop actors.
"Some campuses in South Korea allow the public to see the performances of singers they invite. Then I can visit some universities to see NCT, Twice, ITZY, etc. Besides, I usually walked around Seoul Forest. It is in front of one of the buildings of one of the most famous K-Pop agencies, SM Entertainment. If I were lucky, I would have met without stopping with some K-Pop idols there," she enthusiastically expressed.
At first, Elrosa planned to choose the United Kingdom as her dream in applying to the IISMA program. Nevertheless, her mother recommended she select Asian countries, mainly South Korea, due to its business system. Her experience of competing with 900 students throughout Indonesia was challenging. However, due to the blessings and prayers of her parents and the support of the White Campus, she could successfully be the awardee of the IISMA Program 2022.
"I feel lucky because UMM highly facilitates its students to get scholarship information and even to help them in the application process," ended the IISMA Awardee 2022 for Hanyang University. (imh/syi/wil)
