Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) accepted foreign students besides Indonesian students for undergraduate program. The international students may not join ‘Masa Ta’aruf’ (Orientation Days) since they may not understand the used language, Indonesia. Nevertheless, they have to join an induction program of UMY and its environment, settings of Yogyakarta, and Indonesia.
International student induction program was conducted by International Relation Officers (IRO) of UMY on Thursday (3/9) at International Relations hall of Building E. There were 11 of 12 students joining the program. They were from China, Thailand, South Korean, and Timor Leste.
Badruzaman, S.IP., M.A. stated that IRO of UMY will assist the international students if they get confused during their living in Yogyakarta. “Indonesia does not have student visa for international students so that it may be risky to go by themselves without others’ knowledge,” he argued. He inserted that IRO of UMY functions to help them adjust visa, their study, and Yogyakarta tour that the charge is their own responsibility.
The twelve students encompass of four students from Sun Moon University, South Korea, carrying out student exchange for a year, four students from SIAS University, China undertaking student exchange for a semester, and three students from Thailand, and one student from Timor Leste.
They will begin having class on 7 September so that it is necessary to acquaint them one another and their study at UMY. They were also informed that they may join student organizations or student activities. “The student activities comprise several clubs like music, karate, photography, basketball, and other. International students may join based on their interest,” asserted Fahrizal Ramadhan, S.IP., one of the staffs of IRO of UMY.
The other staff of IRO Gesta F. Nurbiansyah, S.IP. maintained that they will stay at female resident (UNIRES). He expected that having international students may bring UMY to have more cooperation with overseas universities. “Besides, learning atmosphere at UMY may feel like international university and it may motivate other students of UMY,” he ended.
