Unesa International Experience - IISMA di Lithuania: Pengetahuan dan Adaptasi Budaya Baru

Summary

Anisa, an English Literature student from Indonesia, shares her experience in the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. She reflects on the academic and cultural differences, such as approachable professors and the lack of formal address, as well as the challenges of living in a non-English speaking country. Anisa also describes her role in organizing an event to introduce Indonesian culture and the personal growth she gained from experiencing life and education abroad. Her insights highlight the importance of international exchange programs in shaping future careers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anisa is an Indonesian student from the English Literature program, participating in the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) batch 2024 at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania.
• 😀 IISMA is a student exchange program intended for Indonesian students in their 4th and 6th semesters to study abroad for one semester at a host university.
• 😀 Anisa is taking several courses during the program, including Writing, Cultural Diversity (focused on culture and anthropology), Introduction to Sociolinguistics, and Media and Popular Culture.
• 😀 As part of the program, Anisa participated in an event at her host university, introducing Indonesian culture, food, and traditions like batik and traditional games to both local and international students.
• 😀 Anisa learned about the IISMA program only two months before the registration deadline, with her primary motivation being the desire to continue her studies and experience life abroad.
• 😀 The opportunity to experience life and education in a different country was particularly valuable to Anisa, coming from a rural village where such information is less accessible.
• 😀 The teaching style at Vytautas Magnus University differs from Indonesia’s, as professors are more approachable, and students can engage in discussions without waiting for the lecturer to finish speaking.
• 😀 There is no formal address like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' when referring to professors in Lithuania, unlike in Indonesia, where titles such as 'Bapak' or 'Ibu' are used.
• 😀 Lithuania’s native language, Lithuanian, is not commonly understood by the older population, and English is rarely used, making it difficult for Anisa to navigate in public spaces without using Google Translate.
• 😀 Anisa experienced culture shock, especially regarding the local population's lack of hospitality, possibly due to historical reasons. Lithuanians tend to be more individualistic and less inclined to offer friendly greetings compared to Indonesians.

Q & A

What is the ISMA program, and what is its purpose?

The ISMA program, or Indonesian International Students Mobility Awards, is a student exchange program aimed at Indonesian students in their 4th and 6th semesters. The main purpose of the program is for students to study abroad at a foreign university for one semester, allowing them to experience different educational systems and cultures.

Which university is Anisa attending as part of the ISMA program?

Anisa is attending Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Lithuania as part of the ISMA program.

What subjects is Anisa studying during her time at VMU?

Anisa is studying four subjects at VMU: Writing, Cultural Diversity (focusing on culture and anthropology), Introduction to Sociolinguistics (focusing on linguistics), and Media and Popular Culture (discussing comics and popular media).

What is the non-academic requirement for students in the ISMA program?

As a non-academic requirement, ISMA program participants must organize an event at their host university to introduce Indonesian culture to both local and international students. Anisa's university hosted a Batik Day, which included traditional Indonesian food, batik, and traditional games.

How did Anisa find out about the ISMA program?

Anisa found out about the ISMA program just two months before the registration deadline, through her lecturer.

What motivated Anisa to join the ISMA program?

Anisa was motivated by her desire to continue her studies abroad and gain experience in a different educational system and lifestyle. She saw the program as a unique opportunity, especially coming from a remote village with limited access to such information.

How is the academic culture at Vytautas Magnus University different from Indonesia?

At VMU, the academic culture is more open, with professors being approachable and willing to engage in discussions. Students can approach their professors during working hours without the need for prior appointments, unlike in Indonesia, where appointments are often required. Also, there is no formal address like 'Bapak' or 'Ibu' used for professors; students simply use their professors' names in a respectful manner.

What cultural shock did Anisa experience in Lithuania?

Anisa experienced two main cultural shocks in Lithuania. First, the country is not an English-speaking nation, making it challenging for her to communicate, especially with older people. Second, Lithuanians were not as warm and welcoming as she expected, which she attributed to past historical trauma, leading to a more individualistic and less socially interactive culture.

How did Anisa manage the language barrier in Lithuania?

Due to the language barrier in Lithuania, Anisa relied heavily on Google Translate to understand information in supermarkets, restaurants, and other places, as many signs and communications were not in English.

What did Anisa learn from her experience in the ISMA program?

Anisa learned valuable insights from her experience, particularly the differences in educational systems and cultural norms. She now understands the importance of cultural diversity and the value of gaining international experience, which she considers essential for her future career.