Malang, August 1st 2023 – After completing the Student Exchange program for one year in Yamanashi Gakuin Japan, students of Faculty of Cultural Studies Universitas Brawijaya, Nando Petra Setyo Prakoso and Clarinta Gaby Wijaya have returned with their successful stories. During their colorful experience, Nando and Gaby not only gained erudition in foreign universities, but also strengthened the relations and introduced the richness of Indonesian culture.
One of Nando’s valuable experiences was gaining the opportunity to work part-time in a company in Tokyo. “Working in a foreign company gives me new knowledge and invaluable connections with fellow colleagues and other important people,” he said. On the other hand, Gaby also obtained chances to receive interesting stories of her Japanese friends from various regions such as Yamanashi, Saitama, Nagano, Niigata and Ehime. Other treasured moments were when Gaby started the journey of understanding meaning from each culture that she might not have realized before.
Additionally, they also used the opportunity to visit the Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Tokyo. There, they accompanied Japanese students who are interested in promoting Indonesian products that have potential in the Japanese market. Besides, they also introduced Indonesian culture to elementary school students living around the campus.
“By obtaining this experience of learning in a foreign country and blending in the community, I feel very connected with the culture and daily life in Japan,” Nando said.
With a proud feeling, Nando concluded that this Independent Learning-Independent Campus (MBKM) gives him a great benefit. “We were exposed to understand how it feels to study abroad, while contributing directly to the community and introducing Indonesian culture,” Nando explained while presenting photos during his stay in Japan.
(zawa)