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| Musa, a master student from West Africa who become the best graduate of UMM. (Photo: Two Bagus / UMM PR) |
The stress of the new culture did not make Alhajie Musa Kamara, an international student at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), not give up on his education. This Master of Management Study Program student was successfully confirmed as the best graduate with the best achievement in the first period of the graduation ceremony, Thursday (17/3)
As he is familiarly called, Mus said that studying in Indonesia is not easy. Different cultures and languages make it difficult to understand the material and socialize with other people. Moreover, his departure to Indonesia is his first opportunity to go abroad.
"Fortunately, before the lecture period began, we were taught Indonesian language and culture at the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) institute on the White Campus. The study lasted for one year. The unique thing that I found in BIPA is the hilarious way of learning. We were taught like little children just learning to speak. Even though it's funny, this way of teaching makes us fluent in Indonesian," said the student from Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Not only constrained by language, the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world, including Indonesia, also made people have to adapt to technology in all fields quickly. The same thing happened to Moses. He admitted that he did not understand the uses of applications for learning that were applied by the campus. But thanks to the help of friends and lecturers, he could do well.
"Even though it's hard, the lecturers are always ready to encourage us to learn. That's what motivates me to study hard. Besides that, my fellow majors are also happy to help me when I have trouble understanding a material," said Musa.
Several policies amazed Musa during his lectures at UMM. Access to journals and books is straightforward. Even the campus library accepts students during the pandemic, despite strict health protocols. Access to information is also clear to obtain through the website or by contacting the lecturer directly.
"It's very different from when I was studying for a bachelor's degree in Africa. Internet access is very minimal and even limited only from 10 am to 3 pm. The only place to get free internet is in the library. Outside of the library, we have to spend more to access the internet. However, the enthusiasm of my friends and me when we were in undergraduate studies in our country was still very hot. That's what finally brought me to Indonesia, to be exact, at UMM. This campus provides many facilities and qualified facilities," explained Musa.
Musa said that UMM had given him a lot of experience and new knowledge during his lectures. "I am lucky because I have good friends and lecturers who always guide me. That's what finally made me able to get the highest score for this master's study, "he said (cdr/syi/wil)
