Dea Milianisty Wardani – Public Health Student at Udinus
During college years, an individual should partake in various interesting activities, which allow one to learn and gain experience. Moreover, the Independent Campus Programs (MBKM) can also serve as an opportunity for students to do so, particularly the Independent Student Exchange Program (PMM),
Dea Milanisty Wardani—a Public Health student at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus)—believed that the student exchange program would allow her to expand her cultural worldview in various regions in Indonesia. In addition, this program also offers students an opportunity to learn under a different education system from the home university. This will allow students to gain experience.
At Udinus, Dea also actively involved herself in various student organizations. She was a part of the Student Executives (BEM) of the Health Science Faculty, specifically in the creative media division. Dea joined this division because of her interest in editing, and taking photos, and videos.
“This specific hobby of mine also led me to join the student exchange program to document moments from outside Java Island,” she uttered.
Learn and Introduce Cultures
Dea’s journey in this student exchange program started with research and filing for this program. Dea—a student of the 2022 class—claimed that the campus helped her in exploring this program.
“Whenever I am at the bottom, faculty, and staff members always helped me climb all the way to the top. Additionally, they also give us preparations before embarking to my host university, Universitas Andalas,” he explained.
During her time partaking in the student exchange program, Dea uttered that she received many benefits and impressions. In the program, students can directly interact with their fellow students and locals, which allows them to develop cross-cultural understanding and communication skills.
“This experience opened an opportunity for me to gain an insight into understanding and appreciating the diversity within Indonesian cultures. In addition to academic aspects, I also learned various things, including the history, cuisine, traditional clothing, and lineage of Minangkabau. In Java Island, we usually comply with the patrilineal lineage. However, in Minangkabau, they comply with the matrilineal lineage,” she explained.
Not only did Dea learn the culture of West Sumatra, but she also introduced the culture of Central Java to her fellow students. This introduction came in the form of presentations and discussion sessions.
“Moreover, I also collaborated with other exchange students by performing the traditional dance of Central Java and wearing traditional clothes of that region as well. Our performance was witnessed by faculty and staff members at Universitas Andalas,” she continued.
After the program, Dea claimed that she became more interested in exploring other off-campus activities. Furthermore, she also encouraged her fellow students at Udinus to try various positive things.
“We will never know what is ahead of us if we don’t try. We should take the opportunity if we happen to encounter one. This is because two opportunities will not come twice,” said the owner of the @deamilanisty Instagram account. @deamilanisty Instagram account.
