Going Back To Indonesia

Now I’m already in Indonesia again *woohoo*

4 months already passed, It was so fast ! I still can’t believe that I already in my home country and already continue my campus activity, which is internship *meh*

But again, thank God for the unexpected opportunity for me that I can be a part of as the representative of Telkom University for the first batch exchange program to Kumoh National Institute of Technology, South Korea.

Honestly I didn’t expect much to be chosen one due to strong competition and a lack of self confidence because I could not speak Korean. I still remember what’s my answer for the question ‘main reason for joining the program’ on that interview with my lecturer. Here was my answer

"Actually I'm not a big fan of K-Pop, I also can’t speak Korean but I can read the alphabet little bit. However I like to observe the lifestyle of South Korean people. I want to know why South Korea can become a developed country in a short amount of time. I want to know why Koreans are so proud with what comes from their country. They are proud to use local produce. I want to know how marketing and human resource management applied in South Korea so that their country could be developed in a short amount of time”

‘What a deep answer…’.  My thought at that time. Although actually I don’t really have special reason why I signed up this program, when I heard the news I was selected to participate in this program, I'm so excited! Finally I can feel the experience and things that I could only see in Korea Movies, Korean Drama, and Korea Reality Show before.

 As the result I got a lot of unforgettable experience. I really feel how to be the real Korean for 4 months! I can visit the famous tourism site famous place that is used as a shooting location of some movies and reality show. I can learn Korean with native Koreans and can immediately practice it by communicate with the locals in restaurants or traditional market. I can also feel how the process of learning in South Korea, how quickly the connection internet there, how to use public transportation there, eat Korean dishes and learn how to cook several menu, and last one, making friends with 'real' Koreans.

Actually I am not very good at socializing. But my desire was so strong to get the 'real Koreans’ experience. So that I try to socialize, make interesting conversation, trying to be friendly, and others. I try to socialize, not only with fellow exchange students but also with Korean student who could speak English well and those who simply replied with "sorry my English no good ..."

Beside 'international' friends, I also make friends with KIT master students from Indonesia. I think it is important in order to add my knowledge about how to survive in Korea. Even I can get information to get master scholarship in this country through their advice.

At the end, I am very impressed with this moment. Through this program, I opened my mind that it is not enough to develop my own potential in my own country. This opportunity has given me more adventures; give many new things to be learned; Not only learning the things taught in school, but also learning about yourself. It's learning how to listen, how to speak and how to think. Learning who you are, who your friends are, and the type of people you want as friends. It is about how to tolerant, to accept, how to like and how to love. I think 4 months is not enough. Honestly I feel sad when I have to leave Korea and parted with my friends there. It's kinda sad when my friends think of me as not just an exchange student, but a real KIT student. But the show must go on. I have to finish all the things I left in my home country and maybe I should get another chance to go abroad again, hopefully J

Lastly, a quote I got from exchange students page on facebook

An exchange time is like a ride on a roller coaster. First, it is determined to ride it and I was fascinated by the idea, then it goes fast. You must enter and then come the first uneasy feelings. Then there are highs and lows. But then it goes very quickly. In the end, one is a bit sad that it's over, a little proud that you survived it, please again to have solid ground under your feet and really would love to sit again and ride again.

Written by Mahardiani Beningrum