Regina Claudia, an Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program student, is one of eight participants in the SUIJI-SLP Program representing UGM. The Six University Initiative Japan-Indonesia Service Learning Program (SUIJI-SLP) is a collaborative program between 3 universities in Indonesia (UGM, IPB, and Unhas) with 3 universities in Japan (Ehime University, Kagawa University, and Kochi University).
Regina said that the SUIJI program offers the opportunity to learn directly from the local community to understand their cultural values and lifestyles. “It turns out that learning Japanese culture directly from the Japanese people is mindful and meaningful!” she said.
The selection process for this program includes filling out forms, collecting transcripts, and interviews with professors and professors at FTP. Regina admitted that initially did not have high expectations, even registering only to try. However, the results exceeded her expectations. She is grateful for the opportunity and feels this program provides invaluable experience.
Regina was placed at Ehime University in Matsuyama, Japan, in this program, and underwent service-learning activities in Ainan-cho. The program runs from September 5 to 25, 2024. The first days were spent at the host university, staying in a typical Japanese shared house that reminded her of Doraemon’s house. During those three days, she attended lectures from the sensei and prepared for field activities.
After that, Regina and the other participants departed for Ainan-cho by bus. At this location, they were directly involved in various community activities. One of Regina’s memorable moments was meeting the Indonesian diaspora in Ainan and cooking Indonesian food for the locals. “It was so much fun!” she said enthusiastically.
Regina hopes that more students will be interested in joining this program in the future. “I hope this program can be a good stepping stone for UGM agro cluster students to increase their knowledge and skills while they are still students,” she concluded. Through the SUIJI-SLP program, Regina not only learned about Japanese culture and society but also found deep meaning in service-based learning. This experience is proof that active involvement in an international program can broaden horizons and enrich a student’s academic journey.
