Nine students from the International Program of Governmental Studies (IGOV) class of 2020 at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) recently shared their experiences during a student exchange program at Maejo University in Thailand. The students not only gained valuable educational insights but also learned how to adapt to the customs of Thailand.
One of the most memorable experiences for the students was participating in the birthday event for the business faculty at Maejo University. They made nasi tumpeng, a traditional Indonesian dish, and other dishes. They enthusiastically searched for various ingredients for the nasi tumpeng, walking about 2 km to the market to find them.
The students also shared how they celebrated Ramadan in Thailand. They were greatly helped by the existence of a Muslim community in Maejo and even held an iftar together with the Maejo University Muslim community. Since the Indonesian Students Association (PPI) in Thailand is rare at Maejo University, the Muslim community there provided much-needed support.
Despite facing various experiences and problems, the students always tried to be together to bond and maintain unity. They have many memorable stories from their time in Thailand, and their excitement was evident as they shared their experiences.
The IGOV program at UMY is the most prestigious department in Indonesia, achieving the highest accreditation with A accreditation by the National Accreditation Board-Higher Education (BAN-PT). The student exchange program at Maejo University is just one example of IGOV students’ opportunities to gain valuable international experience and broaden their horizons.
