“I think that having experiences in studying abroad can help me increase the level of my standards,” said Gabriella Lisbeth Avriel Purwanto, 19, from Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in Indonesia. “It will make it easier for me to achieve higher positions in the company or organization I’m going to work in,” the sophomore in International Business Management added.
Agatha Saraswati, also from Widya Mandala, could not agree more. The 21-year-old Undergraduate Accounting student is taking a class on integrated marketing communication at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). “Understanding what’s inside marketing enriches my knowledge in management accounting. Budgeting can be seen not only from the costing point of view but also from the creative point of view to determine its worthiness.”
Gabriella and Agatha are two of the eight inbound exchange students in UA&P this semester. Seven are from Widya Mandala, while one is from Hallym University in South Korea.
Though these students were unable to go to the Philippines because of the travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Gabriella thinks being an online exchange student is still worth the effort.
“I get to meet new people from abroad, know a little bit about the culture in the Philippines, and learn also how to adapt to the cultural differences, even if virtually,” she revealed. “Sometimes, I find it a little awkward when everyone starts talking in Tagalog, but it rarely happens.”
Gabriella (foreground, second from left) with her classmates in Widya Mandala during the celebration of the university’s Dies Natalis (Foundation Day).
Internet connectivity is a bigger issue. She has three classes a week, and synchronous sessions are usually conducted for approximately two hours each time. “When the connection is really bad, I can’t understand what the lecture is about.”
These inconveniences, however, did not dampen her desire to go to the Philippines and see the University. “I would love to go once the pandemic is over,” she said.
Agatha feels the same way. “I really like traveling. Had there been no pandemic, I would not lose the opportunity to go to the Philippines and feel the local atmosphere.”
The graduating student is not bothered at all by the time difference between the two countries (the Philippines is one hour ahead of Indonesia), the challenging internet connection, or the language barrier. “The more I hear Tagalog words, the more I become familiar with them,” she narrated. “It is surprising to find that some Tagalog words are similar to those in Bahasa Indonesia. For example, mahal also means expensive, and ako, which is aku in Indonesia, also refers to the self.”
Agatha finds joy in interacting with and learning from her classmates in UA&P. “I feel very welcome and comfortable with how they treat me as an exchange student. They give me neither too much nor too little attention.”
“The thing I like most about this exchange experience,” she continued, “is that I see my classmates actively participating in class discussions. In doing group projects, they are organized in structuring the agenda. These are some positive habits that I can develop. Now I find myself less shy in participating in class discussions, especially in my classes in Indonesia.”#
Students who have applied for the Student Exchange Program for the Second Semester of SY20-21 are advised to either apply for the Virtual Student Exchange Program or to move their application to the First Semester of SY 2021-2022. You may forward your inquiries to [email protected].
Banner photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay.
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