Semarang (18/03) – Students from around the world often seize the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs as part of their learning experience. In this era of globalization, the chances to broaden cultural, linguistic, and scientific horizons are increasingly open. One notable example comes from a student of the Communication Science Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), who recently took part in a student exchange program at the University of Pecs, Hungary.

The student, named Aliya Najiha Putri, commonly known as Jiha, is a 2021 cohort student from the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Communication Science at FISIP UNDIP. She participated in the Student Exchange program for one semester at the University of Pecs, Hungary. Jiha’s successful participation in the Student Exchange program was supported by the prayers and encouragement of her family and lecturers.

“One of the experiences I gained during my exchange in Hungary was volunteering in the course ‘Lifestyle in Contemporary Hungarian Society.’ This was very useful and very eye-opening for me because I could see how social welfare institutions (orphanages) in Hungary survive solely on donations from the Budapest community,” said Jiha.

Moreover, Jiha received a handbook detailing the history of these social welfare institutions. She and her friends also had the opportunity to visit a kindergarten in Hungary. Kindergartens are free places for children or generally for foreign volunteers living in Budapest, Hungary.

Source Photo: Instagram @aliynaj

Jiha felt impressed by the experience, as she is now more aware of various social issues, but it also taught her the importance of maintenance for orphanages in need. Additionally, Jiha had the chance to introduce Indonesian culture to educators in Hungary by demonstrating how to wear Ulos to her lecturers while in Hungary. Jiha felt happy and very fortunate with her experiences during the Student Exchange in Hungary.

Jiha’s experience of studying at the University of Pecs, Hungary, can be an option for those interested in joining the Student Exchange program through the IUP. The International Undergraduate Program (IUP) prioritizes one class where the medium of instruction is English, aiming to produce graduates capable of competing internationally.