UI-CREATES; It creates a long-lasting friendship and memories

Universitas Indonesia Credit Earning Program for Students
Excursion to Saung Mang Udjo, Bandung

Since being a buddy in early 2018, it has been a very important part of my college life. From that time my calendar each month works around the programs I could participate in, which made the best semester of my life. And this year, it happened again.

I got a chance to be the buddy for another short course program. UI-CREATES or Universitas Indonesia Credit Earning Program for Students is a two or three-week short course program hosted by the International Office of Universitas Indonesia. By joining this program, students earn 3 credits (for two-week program) and 6 credits (for three-week program) after the completion. Not only taking the offered courses, students will also learn about Indonesian Language & Culture, have some cultural visits, and short internship program at Indonesian Government offices and Private Institutions related to the courses they are taking, for more details click here.

Term 1

Museum of Indonesia

 
UI CREATES term 1 was held from February 10 - 23, 2019. The program is offering 2 courses; International Relations and Organizational Behavior courses. There are 45 students participating in this program. The participants are students from University of Tokyo - Japan; Ajou University - South Korea; and China University of Geosciences - China. During this program, the participants will not only study, but also conducting field observation activities and discussion related to the subjects of Indonesia’s Foreign Policy and Introduces the human resources factor in a company or organization. This particular theme of this year program is chosen to encourage all participants to actively exchange their intellectual, culture, and other practices. Harmonization of different cultures along with its dynamics will enrich their knowledge and open dialogues to initiate further study and cultural understanding and hopefully all of them can learn the beauty of diversity in Indonesia.

Ajou and University of Tokyo students at ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta

Buddies in International Relation class
(left-right); Bagus, Indra, Tomi, Debby, Uli, and Muti

Trio Jumping
Tomi, Yuki, and Kota

With UTokyo students

Term 5

This term 5 of UI CREATES come with the theme of ‘Learning the World of Diversity’ was held from August 4 - 17, 2019 and the total of participant is 110 students. The participants come from Ajou University - South Korea; Waseda University, Rikkyo University - Japan; China University of Geoscience, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Zhejiang University, Yunnan University - China; University of Malaya - Malaysia, Wenzao Ursuline University of Language - Taiwan; and some of International Students from Indonesians’ Partner will not only study, but also conducting field observation and discussion related to the subjects of  ASEAN Plus Three, Indonesian Culture, Organizational Behavior, and Sustainable Development.

Field study at Bank Indonesia Museum

Closing ceremony at Balai Sidang, Universitas Indonesia

See you again in the future, guys!
with Ajou and Rikkyo University students

It was a tough work to keep the program running directly in the field but was also worthy. It was always very tiring yet exciting. From picking them up at the airport, showing them how to use public transport, being their constant lunch mate, we helped them feel more than at home here, in Indonesia. Arriving in a completely new country, which you are not used to the language and customs, might be daunting for many people. I know that it should be difficult for new students in the first weeks. I wanted to help them and tried to make these first weeks much easier for them to spend.  I was glad I could give them information about our culture, people, food, etc. so that they could feel confident to go around. In a conversation, we talked about a lot of things: where to go; what to do; which food they should try etc.

I learnt a lot about the countries and cultures of them. We have taught each other about our respective cultures. There are so many aspects of our cultures which they would love to experience if we take the time to share these treasures with them. So much variety in such a short time was a great asset and we had a lot of fun.  I have made several bonds with some of the students and the other buddies as well.

Buddies in IR class + Yasu

Let's get it!
at Dunia Fantasi amusement park

After drinking and playing card with Ajou University students

I am satisfied and happy with the experience, and have won a great, long-lasting friendship in the process that will extend in the future. I know that a relationship like ours is not necessarily common or guaranteed, but I think it's more than worth it to participate in the system for the chance to find something fantastic.

with Melani, Niki, and Hanezu

with Geonu Kim, Youngchul Lee, and Seongyong Jang

With Tiffany, Priscilla, Muti, and Niki

During the program, I met a lot of students from other countries and felt like I was doing a semester abroad. But, I think the best part of being a buddy is meeting new people and making friends from all over the world. In addition, I now have new travel destinations that I would like to fulfil someday and I can rest assured that there would be someone whom I can visit and who can help me find my way around that country or city. It’s been a wonderful short course with all of them for those two weeks. Hope all of them enjoyed it and bring back good memories to their home country.

Taking picture with David is such an honor for me!

Best roommate ever👭

Who is the cutest?

Don't messed up with us!

Pejuang IO💪

Celebrating Wibi's birthday🎉

Last but not least, to Mr. Arif Wibi, Thank you! I will never be able to say this enough. Thank you for always give me the opportunity to be a buddy every time there is a program running. Big thanks for ka Ismi, ka Fitri, One, ka Caca, ka Siwi, and other International Office staff who have organized this great program. And for my fellow buddies during UI CREATES program; Tomi, Bagus, Indra, Muti, Uli, Lukman, Irwan, Ayu, Melani, Niken, Nabil, Sovia, Luthfi, Dela, Irsyad, Niki, Galang and all the buddies that are not mentioned in this post, thank you so much.

I wish, through UI-CREATES, U and I create wonderful memories.

Terima Kasih IO 💓

❤I LOVE YOU 3000❤
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Xoxo

Deb:)