Student Blog

Hello everyone! Selamat Siang!
I’m Miki, currently on an exchange program in Indonesia since the Fall 2024 semester!　It’s already been about five months since I arrived in Indonesia, and the first semester has just ended. Today, I’d like to share a bit about my school life here in Indonesia.

Classes

My major is international relations, so I mainly take specialized courses in this field. There are about 30 students per class, and the close distance between students and professors, along with the active and relaxed classroom atmosphere, has truly captivated me. I’ve also had unique opportunities that would be hard to come by in Japan, like visiting the ASEAN Secretariat as part of a class and participating in a Model United Nations conference.

Class atmosphere

Campus Life

On campus, there’s a cafeteria, café, and convenience store. The cafeteria offers a wide variety of dishes, all priced around 300 yen. My personal favorite is a traditional Indonesian soup called Soto Betawi. It’s delicious, with a creamy flavor from coconut oil mixed with spices.

My favorite dish: Soto Betawi

Exam Period

At my university, we have about one week of study break before exams, followed by a two-week exam period — nearly a full month without classes. The exam style is also quite different from Japan. Most tests are handwritten essays with three to five questions, spanning 1.5 to two hours. You need to be able to explain the content from class logically and in your own words. Exam preparation is more intense than I was used to, but writing a satisfying response brings a great sense of accomplishment!

That was a quick look at school life in Indonesia. I highly recommend considering Indonesia or other Southeast Asian countries as your study abroad destination. It’s truly a valuable experience!

Miki Ueda

Hello everyone! Selamat siang! My name is Miki, a third-year student majoring in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. I am committed to writing articles that will encourage anyone feeling the urge to challenge themselves, drawing from various experiences both within and outside of my university. From the lessons I've gained, I aim to provide the push needed for individuals to take on new endeavors! Starting from the autumn semester of '24, I will also share insights about my exchange program in Indonesia. Thank you for your support!