Tohoku University Short Course and Internship Program 2019; Bridging Japan and Indonesia with Buddies

🤙Easy easy team🤙
We came as a stranger, we leave as a friend

This is just one of the countless stories that I want to share with all of you. In my last year of college, I had to do a final research so I could graduate from university. I was very stressed at that time because I had no idea what I should write. Fortunately, at that time, Irwan invited me to join a program as a buddy for Japanese students. I applied and was accepted as one of the buddies for Tohoku Short Course and Internship Program. Take a peek at the full story of last year's program here. It is one of the best decisions I made. It helped me avoid a great deal of confusion and stress during the writing of my final research back then. 

Opening Ceremony of Tohoku University Short Course and Internship Program hosted by International Office Universitas Indonesia

This year, I got a chance to get involved in Tohoku Short Course and Internship program again. It is my second time being a buddy for Tohoku University students, thanks to Ms. Amanda (Love You, mba Manda😘). With the same theme “Today’s Economy and International Japanese Business in Indonesia”, the program was held from February 24 - March 23, 2019. It consisted of several lectures related to multiculturalism, social system, religious practices, traditional arts, Indonesian economics and corporate culture in Indonesia, also Indonesian basic language of BIPA course. In the 3rd week, Tohoku and UI students were divided into groups for short internship program, where students were assigned by PT. AEON Indonesia to work on marketing research activities and customer survey. At the end of the program, each group presented their final presentation to be evaluated by UI lecturer and AEON staff members. Through this program, the participants did not only study, but also conducted the exchange of intercultural, intellectual and massive practices of culture, economy, retail business and work field placement under internship activities. For more detail about the program, check it out here.

Hello, AEON BSD Tangerang

 

Visiting Embassy of Japan

Final Presentation Day
We did it!!!

The famous 'Jam' in Indonesia? 'Traffic Jam'

Experience the traditional life in Indonesia

I am continuously grateful for the chance that International Office Universitas Indonesia gave me for being their buddy in the program. Being a buddy has allowed me to (re)discover my country and share it with them, who mostly have their own beliefs about Indonesia. It also, on the other side, allowed me to discover their culture and to deconstruct any prejudice we might hold against their country. For instance, I think that Japanese are more closed compared to other countries, so it might be hard to have a conversation with them. But, it turned out to be exactly the opposite. Tohoku students are quite active, unlike the other Japanese people. They are funny and very easy to talk to. I was shocked that most of them are pretty good at English, too.

It is a very good way to get to know different cultures and to build real, meaningful relationships. I get wonderful experiences by joining this program. Not only Tohoku Students that learn things during the program, I did learn too. I have lots of fun as well. Just like everyone, they love to have fun and enjoy themselves, especially when they are in a foreign country, due to how hard they have to study and work in their home country. From this experience, I have learned to take the spirit with me in everything that I do. I look at all people now in a different light, realizing we each play a role, we each have goals and dreams to pursue and have to work hard to get it.

Happiness happens here

Happy Debby and Asuka💕

Partner in crime

WE LOVE BURGERRRR KING SO DAMN MUCH

Tohoku students are lifelong friends. I love each and every one of them, Hinako, Asuka, Narumi, Naoya, Suzuki, Taku, Ryukei, Yuki, Ryu, Hayato, and Kai.  I had no idea that they would become my friends. We may not see each other in a couple of months or maybe years, but we (especially me) do make efforts to keep in touch and update on each other life events. I’m sure that all of us aspire to visit each other in the future, which I think, should be on top of our wish list.

P.S.:

I also want to say that I’m totally in love with all the UI buddies, and I don’t want to lose them. Best friend Tom, multitalented Irwan, Indra the skyscraper, brother-like friend bang Bagus, witty and entertainer Jujum, calm boy Bayu, neng Jihyo-wanna-be Sovia, talkative Niken(g), pretty Ayu, and kind-hearted Nebula. I LOVE YOU GUYS TO THE MOON AND BACK❤❤❤

Till we meet again, nakha~!

I do thank the International Office staff who've worked very hard to organize this program: mba Manda, Wibi, One, ka Ismi, ka Caca, ka Lady, mba Tara, mba Rani, etc. #TerimaKasihIO #AkuCintaIO❤

Xoxo

Deb:)