The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program, organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, has provided many benefits to students.
It not only enriches academic knowledge but also offers students new perspectives. Giovandi Sechen, a student of the Animal Science and Industry program at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM), who received the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA) scholarship, experienced this.
IISMA is a student exchange program that allows Indonesian students to study at prestigious universities worldwide for one semester. It is one of the seven flagship programs under MBKM launched by the Minister of Education, Nadiem Makarim.
Target universities for IISMA are located globally, including in Singapore, France, Australia, and the United States. The program funds all exchange activities, covering preparation, transportation, accommodation, and monthly stipends.
Sechen received the IISMA scholarship to study for one semester at Michigan State University (MSU), United States, from August to December 2023. He expressed joy and pride in having the opportunity to study in the U.S.
“I gained valuable life experience. We also acquired cross-cultural knowledge and international relations through interactions with fellow students, lecturers, and residents,” Sechen shared on Wednesday (Sep. 4).
During his studies at Michigan State University, he took several courses in economics, business, and politics.
“In line with the goals of IISMA, I took courses unrelated to my major at UGM. This was intended to broaden my perspective on other fields of study and complement the knowledge I had already gained,” he added.
Aside from academic activities, Sechen was also active in non-academic events at MSU, including sports, organizations, and seminars. One of the seminars he attended featured a Meta speaker who discussed using artificial intelligence to create added value.
In addition to exploring East Lansing, where MSU is located, Sechen visited other cities in the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
He also actively introduced Indonesian culture to local residents. Together with other IISMA MSU awardees, he collaborated with the Indonesian Students Association (Permias) at MSU to hold an event called “Indonesia Cultural Night.”
This event aimed to introduce Indonesian culture, tourism, and cuisine to the local community. Visitors were treated to traditional Indonesian food and cultural performances, including dances, music, and monologues. Additionally, they were introduced to various popular tourist destinations in Indonesia.
For Sechen, the IISMA program was a life-changing and unforgettable experience. The opportunity to study at Michigan State University expanded his academic and professional horizons and provided valuable lessons in cultural adaptation, personal development, and building international networks.
He believes that this experience has shaped his worldview, opened new career opportunities, and given him insights that can be applied to contribute more effectively to his community.
Report by: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif