A Journey of Learning, Growth, and Building Stories through the Student Exchange Program at Padjadjaran University

• Posted by: Admin
• Jumat, 2 Januari 2026
• Has been read 482 time(s)

Hello, I am Theodora Livia Nona Filani, a student of the Japanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University. Through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program under the Merdeka Student Exchange (PMM) scheme, I was given the opportunity to participate in a cross–study program exchange for one semester at the English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Padjadjaran University. My decision to take a cross–study program was driven by my desire to develop my linguistic competence and deepen my understanding of literature from a more global perspective. As a student of Japanese Literature, I am accustomed to studying the Japanese language, literature, and culture. By taking courses in English Literature, I was able to broaden my knowledge of world literature, cultural theories, and English literary text analysis. I believe this combination represents a unique strength of the cross–study program offered through MBKM.

From my very first arrival at Padjadjaran University, I immediately felt the campus atmosphere, which was cool, green, and filled with trees, creating a calm and comfortable learning environment. There are many open spaces where students can sit, work on assignments, or simply chat with friends. I learned to adapt to different learning styles, more active discussion methods, and classroom environments that encourage students to confidently express their opinions.

Through this program, I gained not only academic experience but also deeply memorable life experiences. I was also actively involved in non-academic activities at the university level. One of the most valuable experiences I had was my participation in the BIGFORCE! Festival 2025 organizing committee. I felt truly happy to be surrounded by friends from this committee, as their presence made my time in Jatinangor feel incredibly special and meaningful. They were not only my fellow committee members but also friends who accompanied me throughout my daily life in Jatinangor. Together, we explored different parts of Jatinangor, spent time walking around, sharing meals, and exchanging stories amidst our academic and organizational responsibilities. These simple moments became the most memorable, as they made me feel less alone despite being far from my home campus.

Another unforgettable aspect of my experience at Padjadjaran University was the campus cafeterias and food. There are numerous cafeterias across different faculties, offering a wide variety of food options, so I never ran out of choices. Several places became my personal favorites, one of which was Bootcamp at the Faculty of Animal Science (Fapet), which, in my opinion, serves delicious, protein-rich meals at affordable prices and is always a go-to spot when I want a satisfying meal between classes.

Overall, participating in the student exchange program at Padjadjaran University was an incredibly enjoyable and valuable experience for me. I sincerely hope that the student exchange program will continue to be implemented and provide more students with the opportunity to experience cross-campus learning as I did. For me, student exchange program is not merely about studying at a different university, but about meeting new people, enjoying a supportive environment, and discovering small yet meaningful experiences that enrich the learning process.

In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the lecturers of the Japanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University, who entrusted and allowed me to participate in the student exchange program at Padjadjaran University. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the friends I met at Padjadjaran University, especially Aloen, Amlit, Nonto TnP, Sobat Sasing, Kanayakan, FK, and d’Wiscar, who became an essential part of my journey in Jatinangor. The togetherness, support, and stories we shared made every corner of the campus and every journey through the city feel more alive and meaningful. For me, every point in this city is “us”, a place where memories, laughter, and togetherness will always remain an inseparable part of my life journey during the student exchange program.