Surat Cinta buat AUN

We’re required to sent a short essay to ASEAN University at the end of this exchange program. Wow, I dont know what I wrote! Sorry for grammatical error. newbie in english! *sama ga bisa nemu judul yang lebih menarik* ohya, beberapa detail adalah sandiwara belaka.

ONE YEAR EXPERIENCES IN KOREA

by Chairil

Korea steals youth’s attention these couple years. Music, drama, culture, and some sophisticated stuffs such as computer things and games are exported by this country to all around the world. I was the victim of this sudden attack. Last year, I saw many interesting pictures from my senior’s Facebook page. She studied in Dajeon University in the same program in 2009. I started asking her what ASEAN-ROK International College Student Exchange Program is. Luckily, after completing some requirements, I was accepted to join this program. Finally, I flied to Korea on March 2010 to study ICT for two semesters.

Everything was new when I came here. We were welcomed by white snow in Incheon airport right after our arrival time. Everyone was very excited to see snow, so was I. Playing and taking many pictures were enough reason to ignore how cold the weather was. After short explanation about what to do and what not to do, officially a one year great experience of my Korean life was started.

My first culture shock was about the language. Other foreign students speak English very well while my English is just in the same level with middle-school student. Yet I stopped worrying about this. I recognized it as my weakness, so I have taken steps to correct it. My English is improved now, especially speaking and listening skills.  I just wonder if I did not go to Korea for this program, my English would not be improved as much as now. Foreigners in Daejeon are not as many as in Seoul, so mostly Korean people here do not speak Korean. It was a big problem for me to communicate with them because I did not have any idea about Korean language before. Fortunately, school gave us opportunity to learn Korean language.

We are required to take almost 30 credit hours per semester in Daejeon University. It made us very busy. I complained so much because I had classes everyday and so many homework which had to be done at night in group or individually. I tried to think differently then I realized, being that busy taught me to manage my time wisely. Doing many group-homework also changed me to be more organized, made me able to work in a team, only player and also leader. I got some IT subject such as Java Programming Language, Database Management System,  IT Management, Network Security and many more. Besides, I had some social courses such as National Innovation System and Future of Asia. Those social courses taught me to be more sensitive to world development issues.

My internship experience at summer vacation has been one of the best experiences I have gone through with all of my Korea experiences. For my internship at United Nations Project Office on Governance my job duties include the following. I gave information regarding the implementation of e-government in Indonesia and other ASEAN countries. I had to find formal documents about that and did desk research so the documents could be summarized to be uploaded in United Nations Public Administration Network e-library. In the end of internship period, I was asked to share my idea about how UN-POG can work together with government of Republic of Indonesia to raise public awareness especially young people to use ICT as a development tools. Overall my experience at UN POG taught me a lot about working professionally, managing time, and also inspired me to pursue a bright career in my future.

I love everyone here. I have learned many great things from them. Being together with friends from different countries and culture has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. First time when I came here, I worried about who would be my friends, especially about roommate. I did not feel that he would understand me with thousand of my bad habits. After couple days, I found out that I am lucky. I can share anything to him. We understand each other. I make a good friendship with everyone here. We share our experiences, change culture, and care when someone has problem. I hope we can keep in touch wherever we are in the future.

I have learned many things here. I can adapt myself in a totally new environment. I became more independent since I came here. I learned how to manage time. I learned how to spend my money wisely. I understand more now about ICT for development. My IT hard skills are improved. I really got many things. Thank you for AUN and Dajeon University. Nothing can beat this program. Bravo ASEAN-ROK International College Student Exchange Program!